55g Rescape Journal

[Aqualady]

Hi, my tank has been running (again) for 6 months now. I am not good at aqua-scaping and really want advice/suggestions from anyone that has some to give. Thanks in advance.

Current Equipment:
55g
2 MP Bio Wheel Filters
300 watt heater
48" shop light 6500k
Bubble disc
DIY sponge bottle filter

Current Plants:
Water Sprite
Wisteria
Amazon Sword & Unknown Sword
Corkscrew Vals (just received and have melted, hope they recover)
Crypt
Red Tiger Lotus
Java Moss
ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata
Java Ferns (3 wendelov love & 2 regular, have them but not in tank yet)
No ferts

Current Inhabitants:
3 Bolivian Rams
4 Rosy Barbs (2 are long-finned m/f)
2 Otos
4 Fals julii Cory Catfish
2 Bristlenose Plecos
4 Silvertip Tetra's (2 orange/2 yellow)
2 Ghost Shrimp (was 6, being eaten by other inhabitants)

Current Decor:
Pool Filter Sand
Coconut Halves
Driftwood (2' and I really want to break/cut into 2-3 pieces)
DIY Rock Cave & Arch
Glass Votive
Rock Trail

Subtrate:
2 inches of organic potting soil capped with 1.5 inches of pool filter sand

First, I really want to break/cut this huge piece of DW so I can utilize the dw and tank space more efficiently. Does anyone have suggestions how to do it without it being a "perfect cut" with a saw?

[Aqualady]

Well, since no one had any suggestions, I went with "cutting" it into 2 pieces and I am pleased with how it turned out. I took the coconut huts out except for one. I threw away 90% of the water sprite since it grows well in this tank.

[kwheeler91]

Unfortunately, 55's are hard to scape. I know this because my tank is also a 55 and it took me a long time to come up with something presentable in my eyes. The problem is a lot of length and not a lot of depth, just difficult dimensions to work with. My advice to you is buy a variety of plants, use taller plants in the background and scale down as you move towards the front to give feeling of depth. Try different plants to find what looks good together and more importantly what you can grow successfully. As far as aquascaping goes, browse other people's tanks and try to analyze the ones you like the most. Emulate the good aspects until you develop your own style. Good luck!

[owens81jw]

IMO, you should get some taller background plants to hide the heater n intakes for the filters ..

maybe water sprites or larger swords plants

[Aqualady]

Originally Posted by kwheeler91

Unfortunately, 55's are hard to scape. I know this because my tank is also a 55 and it took me a long time to come up with something presentable in my eyes. The problem is a lot of length and not a lot of depth, just difficult dimensions to work with. My advice to you is buy a variety of plants, use taller plants in the background and scale down as you move towards the front to give feeling of depth. Try different plants to find what looks good together and more importantly what you can grow successfully. As far as aquascaping goes, browse other people's tanks and try to analyze the ones you like the most. Emulate the good aspects until you develop your own style. Good luck!

Thanks, I thought about that too....I have been throwing away plants as I learn how they grow and if its "me"....I also have been doing just as you suggested- browsing others tanks so I can gather ideas for my tank...Great advice thanks!

Originally Posted by owens81jw

IMO, you should get some taller background plants to hide the heater n intakes for the filters ..

maybe water sprites or larger swords plants

I have water sprite that will be placed in somewhere to the left behind the dw, maybe.....I threw away 90% of what I had...seems like a magnet to diatoms...trying not to get many swords due to being nutrient hogs, already have 2....thanks for the advice!