12 Gallon Wicked Long!

[bigd603]

Hey Everyone, after a long battle with some nasty algae, I have decided that it is time to completely redo my tank. My original setup, being my first foray in planted tanks, was a complete and udder mess, so this time I decided to keep it a little bit simpler.

The setup is largely inspired by Mythin's 12 gallon long (check it out http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=177261, it is very nice). I like the look of just a few rocks and a lot of open space.

I played around with the rocks for a while. Check out the progression!

I really like the way these three rocks work together, they're going to be the focal point of the tank


I like these rocks on the left as well, but they're too big. I don't want them to be bigger than the group of rocks on the right.


Same deal as before. Maybe I can find a way to include them...


This rock on the left is really cool, but I think it creates two focal points. Looks like I will have to use it on a different tank.


I put the rocks on the left. I think this creates a better flow of the eye. Something is still not quite right though...


I like this look as well. I think the rock on the right compliments the group on the left.


Here we go, this is looking better...


I really like having the rock grouping raised like this, but I am not sure if it looks better alone, or with other rocks on the right...







Here it is again with some water drained and the rock grouping alone.



From here I am going to add a carpet of HC, and maybe an anubia nano or some other taller plants. I am also toying with the idea of putting some white sand in the middle to create a river effect, but I think that might detract from the simplicity.

So what are your thoughts on the hardscape so far? Which of the layouts do you guys prefer? Any ideas on which plants might look nice with this setup?

[tomfromstlouis]

I like the second last picture best since the outlier is lower and clearly subservient to the nice cluster of three. Raising the cluster a bit more might help more and twisting the outlier one way or another might be worth a try.

Basically I like the vertical then horizontal combination: ...//\\...........----...

I would drain the water and look at each iteration for a day or three before deciding.

[jshaffer740]

I like the third from the last picture, but with the far right stone removed, and the remaining stone on the right moved slightly left. I would also build up the slope some behind the left formation, so instead of a plateau, it continues up slightly behind the rocks.

[Marconis]

Love this size tank; gonna be awesome!

[Kai808]

Good start! I would go with whichever one that you like best. Take your time If you're not happy with the layout and having more stones will give you more options. Also, take into consideration that an HC carpet will be atleast 1/2-1". It may cover low lying stones.

Good luck!

[junglefowl]

I love those rock on the left side at the 4th picture!
Great start! Can you have some info on the substrate and light?

[Jedi_Pizza]

I like the layout in the 2nd from bottom pic too. Love the dimensions of your tank

[alipper]

Epic.

[bigd603]

Thanks for all the comments, guys!

Originally Posted by junglefowl

I love those rock on the left side at the 4th picture!
Great start! Can you have some info on the substrate and light?

Sure, I'm using eco-complete for the substrate. It's about a bag and a half. For lighting it's a 36" Coralife T5NO. It will definitely be raised once I fill it, that's part of why my algae was so bad in the original setup.

I also have 9 green neon tetras and 9 CPD's. They're chillin in my 10g quarantine tank until this tank is ready to go.

I decided the tank does need a rock on the right, and I started adding some HC. I'm going to be dry starting for a while to allow the litte buggers to root. I have to wait until my LFS gets some more HC in stock before I can add anymore unfortunately, which will probably be another week.

[ChadRamsey]

nice choice. i like it

[MikeS]

Wow. Just started looking at smaller tanks, and love the long ones.

[marioman72]

very cool tank, liking the rock layout super simple, will look nice when the HC fills in

[sayurasem]

Wow nice! I love simple scapes.

[tryank]

Love it. And I love how you took a picture every time you changed up the scape. I should do that next time instead of fumbling around, backing up and looking at it, then fumbling some more. Good choice on rock shapes, too - not just placement. It's gonna be a sexy tank for sure.

[LyzzaRyzz]

Great start! Can't wait for more!