Stuck between a rock and a hard place...:)

[johnnyneedlez11]

Hey guys,

I am brand spankin new to the forums and basically starting this hobby again after many years. I am looking to go with a nice iwagumi setup in my 36 Gal bow and I am having one heck of a time figuring out just how I should lay down the hard scape. I thought it would be a lot easier than it is. I just kinda threw some rocks in there that I got locally to start getting an idea of what I want. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am more than certain that I need more rocks to choose from but this is all I have for now.

Thanks

[steven p]

I'm not so familiar with Japanese arts, but it looks nice. I would maybe tighten up the rocks a little, leaving the big rock where its is... if that makes sense?

I think it would create the illusion of more space.

[stevencaller]

That's a decent start to your tank, try this article on Iwagumi aquariums from aquarist magazine, it has step by step guides and hints for iwagumi aquariums.

[Diana]

At least group the 3 littlest closer to each other, and then closer to the mid-sized rock. So there is a triangle: Big rock farthest back. mid-sized closer to center, small (group) about halfway between the largest and mid-size, but closer to the front of the tank.

The way you have it makes a hill way over to one side, which works, but you could also move the rocks around according to the golden mean. Google that, but do not take it too seriously- basically it means putting the major focal point near the center, but not right in the middle. About 2/5 of the way.

[johnnyneedlez11]

Thanks a lot for the feedback. I haven't had the time to mess with this until tonight and I think I may have found a look that seems better to me. What do you guys think? Please critique. Thanks!!

[shrimpedout]

I like the new look! nice job!

[johnnyneedlez11]

Thanks. I was thinking about doing an all grass tank, having tall hair grass in the back and dwarf hair grass throughout the rest of the tank trimmed to different heights for some depth. Any other Ideas for plants?

[TheFoleys]

Looking good.... I can tell this is going to come out nicely based on how you are giving it the time/attention it needs. I like to go this way too. I've set some tanks up in 2 hrs and some in 2 mo.. if you don't rush it you wind up with good results everytime. If it looks right on the 1st drop leave it. If it doesn't then play w/ it. When your brain hurts do something else and come back to it
Those are some nice rocks. Did you find them just that way... Or break a big one?
Are you gonna do a background? I always feel hg looks best with a solid backing... Like black brown or d. Blue spray paint. Being you can see through it.

[TheFoleys]

Were you looking to stay all green? I have an Indian red sword in with some dhg. I like the way they fit together in contrast. The IRS seems to always stay vertical and not widen up like some larger swords. It gets about a half inch longer than the dhg at full grown.

[johnnyneedlez11]

Originally Posted by TheFoleys

Looking good.... I can tell this is going to come out nicely based on how you are giving it the time/attention it needs. I like to go this way too. I've set some tanks up in 2 hrs and some in 2 mo.. if you don't rush it you wind up with good results everytime. If it looks right on the 1st drop leave it. If it doesn't then play w/ it. When your brain hurts do something else and come back to it
Those are some nice rocks. Did you find them just that way... Or break a big one?
Are you gonna do a background? I always feel hg looks best with a solid backing... Like black brown or d. Blue spray paint. Being you can see through it.

I actually fond these rocks in a few places. A few in a dry creek bed and I got 2 more at the edge of the river by my house. For the small ones though I did end up breaking a rock. I cleaned the crap out of them, boiled them for a while and did the vinegar test they should be good to go. The background that I want is straight black. I think it really makes all of the colors pop when its all done and grown in. The Indian red sword is a good suggestion. I have been playing around with paint on my computer to kind of get an idea.