Opinions.....

[Learner]

I am going to give a real aquascape a try after growing plants for the past 9 months. Have learned a lot from the site and hope to make a tank worth keeping around for a while. I created a background to start off the project in hopes of creating a river bank look.

75 gallon standard tank
I will have medium light, dry ferts, CO2 injection.
Keyholes, rainbows, black neons, and modest clean up crew for stocking.
Good filters (2217, and 2213) plus 2, built-in Koralia nanos for extra water movement.
Eco complete substrate with strip of sand in foreground

I need help with plant selection and placement. What plants compliment each other in an aquascape of this type? I have some plants right now that I can grow with decent success. They include dwarf sag, crypt lutea, hygro cory, rotala (moderate success). I would like to stick with hardy plants as I have lost many bunches in the steep learning curve of this hobby. May blxya, stargrass, and HC RIP.

help and opinions on hardscape much appreciated

[JasonG75]

I would have used real rocks as borders.

Nice start.

[vincenz]

Yeh, I would've used real rocks too. The ones right now are looking like gravestones.

For the left branch, I would lean it more so it's draping towards the front.

[lamontcarter]

Tank looks awesome so far, but I have to agree with the two gentlemen above. I think with real rocks, and that left branch placed differently, it would be my idea of %100. It's still cool as it is, though!

[slavecorps]

Looks good, I also would prefer real rocks on the borders, but maybe it will look more realistic with some deeper substrate.

[DogFish]

1st I'd suggest educating yourself about the plants you like. Then select 3 plants that have the same requirements.

Start there. I think the biggest mistake is too much too fast.

You'll bet more out of the hobby is you research 1st then ask specific questions.

[Learner]

Originally Posted by vincenz

Yeh, I would've used real rocks too. The ones right now are looking like gravestones.

For the left branch, I would lean it more so it's draping towards the front.

gravestones..lol. yeah they do. My plan is for them to never be seen. I only made them look like rocks so if they got exposed a little bit, they wouldnt stick out like a sore thumb. I planned on having my substrate one half inch higher than the dividers. I made them becasue I was sick and tired of the slopes in my other tank from eroding over time. I also made them darker beacuse of the eco complete substrate. I do not want to see the faux rocks.

What do you mean draping towards the front. I was actually planning on having it a wee bit more towards the middle of the tank (3 inches or so). I was hoping for the root look.

thanks you guys for your input.............and thoughts on plant combos??

[sevenyearnight]

Do you want a carpet plant? Dwarf sag is good carpet for a SA theme. Pennywort looks good lol, but we talked about that. Frogsbit for a floater.
Might I interest you in some Angelfish?

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk 2

[Learner]

Originally Posted by DogFish

1st I'd suggest educating yourself about the plants you like. Then select 3 plants that have the same requirements.

Start there. I think the biggest mistake is too much too fast.

You'll bet more out of the hobby is you research 1st then ask specific questions.

thanks for the advice. I have been researching plants and working with them for the past 9 months in preparation for building this tank. I have learned a few things but still have a long ways to go. Most striking to me is the different opinions many folks have on the plants. Ludwigia is supposed to be easy and perfect for my water conditions............I cant grow it worth a darn. I bought vals because they fit perfectly as well.......gave em everyhtign they needed and they melted into nothing. Its like every tank has its own personality. Rotala grows great in one of my tanks and not so great in my other.

I will be using the above mentioned species for sure (hygro, sag, crypt, sword, rotala, anubias). I dont want a ton of different species. Maybe I should just stick with these. I was hoping for advice on plant placement as well or plants that compliment each other as far as a pleasing aquascape goes.

[Learner]

Originally Posted by sevenyearnight

Do you want a carpet plant? Dwarf sag is good carpet for a SA theme. Pennywort looks good lol, but we talked about that. Frogsbit for a floater.
Might I interest you in some Angelfish?

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks!!
I have some dwarf sag growing in my "learner" tanks right now and it has finally started to take off. I think that will be my foreground plant for sure. Its one of my favorites and everyone says its quite prolific.

I cant seem to get a hold of any frogbit but that is definately my top choice for a floater. Same with the pennywort......cant find any right now, there is only one place up here (3 hour drive) that has any aquatic plants. I am stuck with what ever he can get a hold of.............I'll be checking thats for sure. I think the pennywort will do well near the root clump in the left corner. You said it needs a fair amount of room and that way i will be able to still see the DW once the tank grows in.

MAybe some rocks and anubias nana in front of the DW and pennywort as a midground?????

thanks for the input......angelfish??? I think I will have more water movement than they would like. Plus I really like the rainbows and want to try my hand at breeding the keyholes.

[Learner]

Originally Posted by lamontcarter

Tank looks awesome so far, but I have to agree with the two gentlemen above. I think with real rocks, and that left branch placed differently, it would be my idea of %100. It's still cool as it is, though!

thanks man.............what would you do with the left branch??

[sevenyearnight]

I can ship you frogsbit and maybe some pennywort too.

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk 2

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by Learner

...I was hoping for advice on plant placement as well or plants that compliment each other as far as a pleasing aquascape goes.

Honestly not tring to give you a hard time

To me 'scaping a tank starts with what you have learned from your research. Placement starts with understand where a plant lives in nature. Stream plants love current, My Java ferns, Madagascar Lace, C. Keei are placed in the return flow current. My Anubus go in lower light areas, Stems get more light.

As far as exactly how to scape your tank, follow your visson of what you want to create. I feel a display tank is an evolving thing. Don't waste mental energy tring to scape the perfect tank the 1st try. Let it evolve, enjoy the process.

[vincenz]

Originally Posted by Learner

What do you mean draping towards the front. I was actually planning on having it a wee bit more towards the middle of the tank (3 inches or so). I was hoping for the root look.

thanks you guys for your input.............and thoughts on plant combos??

I meant like lean it towards the front. You can leave it in the corner, but just lean it at an angle so the twiggy branches at the bottom are more to the front of the tank. Think of a claw clawing at the ground towards you. You know what I mean?

[Learner]

Originally Posted by DogFish

Honestly not tring to give you a hard time

To me 'scaping a tank starts with what you have learned from your research. Placement starts with understand where a plant lives in nature. Stream plants love current, My Java ferns, Madagascar Lace, C. Keei are placed in the return flow current. My Anubus go in lower light areas, Stems get more light.

As far as exactly how to scape your tank, follow your visson of what you want to create. I feel a display tank is an evolving thing. Don't waste mental energy tring to scape the perfect tank the 1st try. Let it evolve, enjoy the process.

NO hard time at all.......this is awesome advice and the one thing that will keep me going. thank you Dogfish. wasting mental energy.....lol very nicely put.

Hope you subscribe when I start planting! thanks again