Aquascaping - harder than it looks

[madhatterjc]

Hi All,

I've had a few fish tanks for a while now and am starting to really get into planted tanks.

I want to redesign my 3ft tank but have no ideas on placement and combinations of plants etc.

The tank is 36x14x16 (LxDxH) I have a twin T5 light on the way, but currently have a 3ft twin Fluro with a power-glo and an aqua-glo in it.

I have:
1 blue stricta
2 Amazon swords
2 balansae crypts
2 Ambulia bunch
1 Compact Hygro
1 Cryptocoryne wendtii
Dwarf hairgrass roughly 1 patch 15x25cm
2 Anubias barteri v. 'nana', 1 on a small Terracotta Urn 1 on a log

So any ideas on how I should plant the tank out? I'm not attached to any of the plants. But it currently looks incomplete so I'm having a "redo" this weekend.

I have 10 Rummy nose, 5 Cory Sterbai at the moment but plan on getting some marbled Hatchet and maybe a few congo tetra's in future.

I've looked at HEAPS of planted but have nfi how to achieve the same quality. Its harder than it looks, much harder.

Actually I may transfer my 3ft setup to my 4ft, then sell the 3ft setup and buy a bigger one :D

EDIT: jk about selling the 3ft

[Woodsy]

Hey mate, good to see more people getting into the planted tanks ;)
There are basically two styles - Dutch and Iwagami. Dutch plantings consist of layered bunches of plants to give you depth of field and are generally a much more formal way of doing things. Iwagami on the other hand, is basically nature in miniature, taking a landscape and "replicating nature in order to surpass it." However, if you don't want to stick to a strict style, there are a few little tricks you can use to create balance and depth.
Retaining walls and gravel layering aim to give you extra height at the back of your tank, which is where you will be growing the majority of your "stem" plants. Move toward the front of your tank, positioning progressively smaller plants as you go. Anubias sp. are normally always used in the centre for this reason, as their leaves break the stem plants up from the ground covers quite effectively. If they are grafted as yours are, these can be used to create a retaining wall by packing gravel behind them.
The second trick is to balance the tank by planting left to right, and top to bottom, in a 3:2 ratio. This is much more appealing to the eye, and makes the tank "look right'.

Best of luck, can't wait to see the pics ;)

[joz]

But which ever you choose,when the plants take off get ready for lots of prunning.

[Alasse]

Its not hard at all, just enjoy it, and dont be afraid to move things to give you the right feel. Its all about what you like, doesnt matter what other like or feel should be done, if you're happy with it thats all tht matters!

[madhatterjc]

The second trick is to balance the tank by planting left to right, and top to bottom, in a 3:2 ratio. This is much more appealing to the eye, and makes the tank "look right'.

Just wondering what you actually mean here. Can you explain your ratio a bit better.

Thanks for all the posts there is some really good stuff here.

I'll get pics as soon as I'm done

[mr_walker]

Just wondering what you actually mean here. Can you explain your ratio a bit better.

Thanks for all the posts there is some really good stuff here.

I'll get pics as soon as I'm done

Google the "golden ratio" and "aquascape".

[Woodsy]

Google the "golden ratio" and "aquascape".


Yup, or just read anything by Amano.