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I have a post in the planted section about the rearrangement of my 55g planted tank. I wasn't getting the response I expected and mostly wanted plant advice there. I desperately need some aquascaping advice. My plants look too structured in their arrangement and I am a terrible "imaginer" . I can't really see what the tank should look like, so I need some help.

I have a picture of the tank as it looks now. I have another piece of DW soaking and will put it in the tank when most of the tannins are out. I am going to remove the airstone thing and probably put just a small airstone there...so maybe it can be hidden. I need more plants and left space to put more. Sorry about the algae on the back...I didn't get to it when I rearranged. I had to leave the fish in and didn't want to stress them anymore.
And I am going to take that thermometer out...just haven't got around to it yet.

Here is a picture of the tank now:



GirlieGirl8519 attached this image:


*Kristin*

sorry my computer is slow

Here is the DW picture (photobucket has an error so couldn't put 2 pics on same message)



GirlieGirl8519 attached this image:


I want the DW to sit upright. In the picture it is laying flat...if that helps.
I want it to be where the big piece is in the tank already.

I also have flat slate rock...to do stuff with. I am just not creative, so I can't figure out what to do with everyting.

I am going to put Christmas moss on the driftwood.

Current plants are:
Echinodorous Tennellus
Crypt Wendtii Red
Bacopa Caroliniana
Wisteria
Rotala Indica
Java Fern
Anubias Nana

I think that is it. I want to put Crypt Retrospiralis in the back right corner (can't see in that picture but there is a big space now). I am going to add more crypt wendtiis. The problem I have is with the background plants (rotala, bacopa, wisteria) and how to place them. Right now they are in a line and I don't like it. I don't really know what to do with them.

Last edited by GirlieGirl8519 at 16-Jan-2006 20:31[/font]

*Kristin*

Okay I'll admit I read through twice and either I really am ending up sick or I just missed something :%) but is that the same piece of DW or do you have two different ones

anyway you need some dynamics in the tank right now it's just there. sitting. static.

If you're injecting CO2 get rid of the airstone all together (unless of course that's what the co2 is coming in by. On the background plants I'd clump them up more and then let them spread across the back themselves. Pick your favorite one and let that take the center of the tank then force the other two into the corners allowing them to spill forward along the edges some.

If you look at the pice of driftwood you pictured seperatly it almost looks like a dancer (try turning your head to the left the head is in the center two arms up and on one foot) maybe try to emphasize that by wedging the longer "foot" into the substrate use rocks to help support it, then add some moss onto the top of the head and hands.

^_^[hr width='40%'][/font]

If I remember correctly I suggested to lift that piece of DW at the LH end but you said it could not be done.

Is that piece to remain in the tank as it as it is doing nothing to the tank at all. You certainly require height to give it a flow. That does not say it cannot be used but it certainly wants something done to it.

Please PM me your E/m address if you would like some detailed assistance in aquscaping your tank.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

The piece in the tank (1st picture) will be replaced by the piece in the 2nd picture.

Babel: It does look like a dancer...I never noticed that. I will try your suggestion and stick the "foot" into the gravel. I will also try to clump the plants more so they look so structured. I don't have CO2...but I think I am going to take that airstone out..I may put the small airstone back in for aeration.

Keith: You are correct..you told me to lift the LH end of the DW in the tank (1st picture) up, but since the slate is still attached and the piece is not waterlogged, I couldn't. I am now going to put the new piece of DW in.
What is your suggestion for the new piece of DW. I know it is hard to visualize without having it in the tank already.

I am really not going for a certain type of aquascaping (Dutch, Amano, etc.). I just want my tank to look good and so far I am having trouble. I hope that new DW will make the tank look better and give some depth.

*Kristin*

Before I would make any major suggestions more info is required that is why I have sent you PM.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW