75 gallon hardscape (opinions please)

anchlo · 08-14-2009, 08:25 AM

well this is my first attempt at a decent looking planted tank...

basics: 75 gal, Pres CO2, high light, etc..
fore ground: eco complete
back ground: flourite mixed with gravel
Rocks: Local Lava rock

Plans: HC fore ground, Misc fast growers in the back... anubias and java ferns

I was worried about height... I wanted the drift wood higher but didnt want the substrate to be to thick...

Also, is one inch to thin for the foreground?

thanks

anchlo · 08-14-2009, 08:27 AM

ALSO, I have two bags of eco complete left over... should I cover over the flourite to make it all black? would the eco just eventually sink to the bottom?

thanks

**smoq** · 08-14-2009, 10:27 AM

Looks good, nice rocks you have there. Eco will sink to the bottom, but you will be mixing it constantly by planting and stuff, so if I was you, I would go with black only substrate. 1 inch on the front is not enough, you'll need at least 2"

SPECIAL||PLANS · 08-14-2009, 01:36 PM

everything i've read says to put fluorite on the bottom as a starting layer..

**wkndracer** · 08-14-2009, 04:09 PM

The subs will mix over time as was already posted. Although, I started two tanks at the same time one w/Flourite original and the other with Eco complete black. After a few months I decided I liked the clay color of the fluorite better. On a cleaning and minor rescape I added about ½ - 1” of Flourite right over the Eco. That was about this time last year and the Flourite is still on top.

**customdrumfinishes** · 08-14-2009, 06:22 PM

the rocks look to placed or perfect, they look like there exactly 2" apart , i would move them around some, there so much alike in size that it would look better with smaller pieces around one of the bigger ones to. or maybe pile the 3 on the right together and leave a gap near the middle of the tank.

anchlo · 08-14-2009, 07:28 PM

ill try it thanks

**customdrumfinishes** · 08-14-2009, 08:24 PM

you could take that middle rock and slide it under the wood so the wood is taller.
and move the rock on the far right closer the the one on its left, then it would be good.
but this is my opnion and your tank!

08-14-2009, 08:25 AM	#1
anchlo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 134	75 gallon hardscape (opinions please) well this is my first attempt at a decent looking planted tank... basics: 75 gal, Pres CO2, high light, etc.. fore ground: eco complete back ground: flourite mixed with gravel Rocks: Local Lava rock Plans: HC fore ground, Misc fast growers in the back... anubias and java ferns I was worried about height... I wanted the drift wood higher but didnt want the substrate to be to thick... Also, is one inch to thin for the foreground? thanks

08-14-2009, 10:27 AM	#3
smoq local fisherman (View User Tanks) PTrader: (37/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,148	Looks good, nice rocks you have there. Eco will sink to the bottom, but you will be mixing it constantly by planting and stuff, so if I was you, I would go with black only substrate. 1 inch on the front is not enough, you'll need at least 2" __________________ Visit my aquarium&underwater photography site www.photoreef.com 75g tank journal&album DIY 75g stand manual&Journal

08-14-2009, 01:36 PM	#4
SPECIAL\|\|PLANS Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 169	everything i've read says to put fluorite on the bottom as a starting layer.. __________________ VICTOR PIMP #41 - HTP270C-250

08-14-2009, 04:09 PM	#5
wkndracer Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (68/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Citrus County,Florida Posts: 6,048	The subs will mix over time as was already posted. Although, I started two tanks at the same time one w/Flourite original and the other with Eco complete black. After a few months I decided I liked the clay color of the fluorite better. On a cleaning and minor rescape I added about ½ - 1” of Flourite right over the Eco. That was about this time last year and the Flourite is still on top. __________________ *The Fraternity of Dirt* If at first you don't succeed,,, keep kicking it RubberSideDownOnTheLanding, 2-75g planted, 5-55g planted, 5-20g planted, 110g w/30g sump, 8-10g, Refugium, doghouse/newbie 2012 update adding table top pleco pans & a 90g (Nutz)

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08-14-2009, 08:27 AM	#2
anchlo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 134	ALSO, I have two bags of eco complete left over... should I cover over the flourite to make it all black? would the eco just eventually sink to the bottom? thanks

08-14-2009, 06:22 PM	#6
customdrumfinishes are you experienced? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (108/98%) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: south carolina Posts: 1,989	the rocks look to placed or perfect, they look like there exactly 2" apart , i would move them around some, there so much alike in size that it would look better with smaller pieces around one of the bigger ones to. or maybe pile the 3 on the right together and leave a gap near the middle of the tank.

08-14-2009, 07:28 PM	#7
anchlo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 134	ill try it thanks

08-14-2009, 08:24 PM	#8
customdrumfinishes are you experienced? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (108/98%) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: south carolina Posts: 1,989	you could take that middle rock and slide it under the wood so the wood is taller. and move the rock on the far right closer the the one on its left, then it would be good. but this is my opnion and your tank!