Nano 20L: Rock hardscape - First steps

[lucasmamoru]

Hey, guys from TPT Forum!

This is my first post here and English is not my first language, so I'm already asking for sorry if I do something wrong here.

Now, let's go.

I am setting up a new aquarium. It has 20 liters (aprox. 7 gallons) and I'm thinking about trying some iwagumi stuff. I have zero experience with it, but I've been playing with the rocks and substrate and the results are below.

So, what do you guys think? What can be changed there to get better?

All tips and criticism are welcome! Thank you guys!

[tetra10]

can you make a list of all of the equipment? filter,light,tank,substrate? nice start though, keep us posted!

[lucasmamoru]

First of all, thanks for the feedback and showing interest guys! I really, really, appreciate your opinions and thoughts! It's even more rewarding for a unexperienced guy, like me!

So, I've seen some questions here, so I'll try to answer them.

Originally Posted by tetra10

can you make a list of all of the equipment? filter,light,tank,substrate? nice start though, keep us posted!

Ok, let's go!

Filter: I am using an external filter, a hang-on. It's a Hagen Aquaclear 30. Hopefully, I'll change for an Eheim canister someday.

Tank: it's 40cm x 22 cm x 26 cm, I bought it at a local pet store, nothing special. As long as it keeps the water inside, it's good.

Lights: I use 2 x 36W Dymax Tropical Aqua PL white/pink.

Substrate: I am using the ADA Substrate System (Power Sand S + Aquasoil Amazonia Powder). First time using it, hope it works!

[Geniusdudekiran]

Beautiful scape. Great job. The only thing I could suggest is adding another rock in front of the large main rock. It's fine without it though, too.

What flora/fauna will be kept in the tank?

[lucasmamoru]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

Beautiful scape. Great job. The only thing I could suggest is adding another rock in front of the large main rock. It's fine without it though, too.

What flora/fauna will be kept in the tank?

Thanks for the advice and the kind words!

I made some minor changes in the rock positioning and soon I'll try adding more rocks. I didn't see the "blank" space in the front of the main rock when I finished the scape, but now that you mentioned it, it's bugging me! hahah

About the fauna, I'm thinking about some Otocinclus affinis to keep the algae under control and, to add a little bit of color, to contrast with the green leaves, Hyphessobrycon amandae. My tank isn't that big, so I need to use small fishes.

About the flora. I am gonna use Glossostima or Hemianthus callitrichoides as foreground plants. I really liked the Hemianthus, but I've been told that Glosso are more newbie-friendly, so I am not sure about which one I will use. Between the rocks I intend to use Staurogyne. For the back of the tank, I am going to use Hemianthus micranthemoides, my favorite plant

I need some reddish plant to give some contrast, any suggestions?

[stevencaller]

That looks great, that big rock is a really nice centre piece

[lucasmamoru]

Originally Posted by stevencaller

That looks great, that big rock is a really nice centre piece

Thank you, Steven! I really wanted a rock that would give a sense of something solid, consistent and brute as the centre piece!

[radioman]

I agree with Kiran. Another rock in front of the big one would look good but I also like ithow it is now.

[SaltyNC]

I like the negative space in front of the large rock just as you have it in the first photo. It provides a resting place for the eye and the large stone provides a nice backdrop for anything that is planted there.