New Images of 30g - Updated 03/21/05

[Vinlo]

Well here is the latest incarnation of my 30g.. still way too much work to do. I've been debating if I should jump up to 3wpg.. maybe in the next month I will build a new canopy and throw some more lights into it. Anyways.. let me know what you think and what I should change. I am having a real hard time with the left side of the tank.. can't ever get it to look right. I think I need to group the plants a bit more.. not so spread out.

[Wasserpest]

Looks really nice Vinlo. I am sure you'll get a grip on the grouping and spreading out.

All I would do if I had that tank would be to hide that green techie thingy somehow, and add a nice RED plant to it (is there one behind the crypt?).
Personally I love Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea) to add color and a totally different leaf shape... but they could be outgrowing your tank.

Add more lights if your plants don't grow...

[Buck]

Why would you add lights?

Your plants are very healthy and the tank looks algae free and beautiful ! There seems to be a myth about higher watts. The only time you really need them is if your chosen plant varieties are "high light demanding plants or if the tank depth demands it..... OR if you have extra time (for trimming) or extra money (for ferts) :lol:

More important then any one requirement (like lights) is a good balance of all requirements and you seemed to have achieved that nicely in that tank.

I want to lower my watts and every one else wants to raise them... :lol:

Just keep "filling" in with trimmings and before you know it you will have that jungle you desire.


Very Nice Tank...

Buck 8)

[rumples riot]

Nice tank Hope mine looks that good sometime soon.

Rumple

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Honestly, the left side is your strong side! You've got decently sized groupings of plants with nice contrasting leaf shapes and a good transition to foreground. I would work on evening on the transition on the right side between the tall swords and the front glass. Try to work some midground and forground plants in on that side.
Overall, the tank is superb, though. Fix that right side and you've got a possible entrant in the AGA aquascaping contest.

[Vinlo]

Well.. I've set up the new lighting, I have a reflector coming tomorrow and I've decided to rescape a bit.. first phase anyways.

Here are two photos.. I've move a piece of driftwood over to the left side of the tank.. looks pretty good, but my photos are quite weak. To my suprise it was completely covered in moss.. I was able to harvest enough off it to start two pieces of rock covered in it in fron of the wood. I think when the foreground grow in around it it should look pretty decent. Hopefully with the new wattage my crypt. balansae will not grow such large stalks.. looks a little silly. Anyways.. still haven't found a home for the giant sword on the right... anyone in the Windsor/Detroit area looking for a sword for cheap/free? I digress.

Let me know what you think.. and again.. I really don't think the photos do it justice.. it looks very 2 dimensional.. very little depth.. not really the case in real life.

[wellbiz]

I dont know, I think it looks great... Nice lotus by the way.. hehehehe...


Jason

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Now the left side is looking REAL good! Start a new tank for that magnificent sword! hehe

I know what you mean, though, by pictures seeming to make the tank seem too 2-Dimensional. Mine is the same way, being a shallow/tall 55g.

[hubbahubbahehe]

i agree with Sam, the right side looks a little weird. according to my aquarium plants manual, the swords are used as centerpiece show plants. why not start another tank with that sword? hehe, it's a good excuse to start a new tank. I'm always looking for excuses to start more tanks. The left side looks nice. If you leave the left side and let it grow out and then slope downwards to the right and have a foreground "street" then it would be real nice.
I was looking through the AGA entries and the judges don't like wall to wall plants in the back (unless it's dutch). sometimes less is more, I guess. If you look at Amano's pics, you can get some ideas of how he uses space to make the whole artpiece complete.

[Momotaro]

You have to both love and hate swords. I love the way they look. They get so full and impressive. I hate the fact they always seem to over grow their designated spots, and need to be moved!
Replacing the beautiful sword on the right ( it really makes you want to cry!) isn't a bad idea. I haven't decided on a plant to suggest just yet. Maybe something that will spill over the piece of wood in front of the sword, with some Sag or Vals behind it?
I need to think a bit more!

Mike

[Buck]

Swords are easily controllable by cutting the mature leaves at the base and only leaving younger growth... and I must say, that is a beautiful sword indeed.

I think that the only thing throwing it off is the lack of a beautiful sword like that on the left side to offset the large leaves on the right.
If those are multiple swords on the right I would try moving one to the left ( easier said then done I know... HUGE ROOTS!)

Then take your left side plants and add them in front of the swords (both sides) sparingly to blend it all in...

That sword will definately need some trimming though sad to say, how awesome would that plant be if it were lost in a 300 gallon tank or so with room to grow ... LOL ...I would dare to dream to see a sword that has not been touched for 2 years or so... they are just so " AqUaTiC looking"

Very healthy growth in that tank !

[Buck]

What are you feedin that thing by the way?

[Buck]

Im sorry, I tried to leave but that magnificent sword has me intrigued, can you imagine a tank with nothing but swords like that and maybe a reuben sword or 2 (?spellcheck) , a big bed of glosso with a ton of spindly driftwood and one nice center piece of larger driftwood !
Angelfish Heaven !

hmmmm....

I will leave you alone now ! LOL

[Vinlo]

I fully agree. I have a 50 gallon and a 10 gallon collecting dust in my basement (I know.. I know). What even worse is I have a new heater for the 50 and 30lbs of flourite and 30 pounds of gravel for the 50 gallon. I have been stalling cuz I am looking for a nice piece of driftwood or rock or petrified wood (someone let me know if there are any places in the detroit/windsor area). I can throw some lighting together no prob. Just a matter of cleaning the tank and moving it upstairs. Then that sword would have a place to go for sure.. along with many other clippings. I have been meaning to do this since probably may or so.. man alive.

As for feeding schedule.. I stopped feeding that sucker like 4 months ago.. thinking I would be moving it shortly. But before that I fed it some Jobes sticks. Funny thing actually. I bought that thing from petsmart for like 3.99 with 4 leaves on it. It grew real good.. and I decided that I wanted to see if I could split the rosette. Well.. I could. Now I have two killer swords. A huge one and one that is about 5/8 the size of the other.

I have a substantial amount of bacopa hiding behind the swords (and in them too).. I plan on getting rid of atleast one sword (probably both) and have grouping of the bacopa with something spilling over the wood (like you guys suggested). I was thinking star grass.. what do you think?

Buck; that would tank with the sword and the glosso would be sweet. Maybe I'll try it on the 50

Whew.. that was a long one.

[Vinlo]

Well here is my tank.. err.. mess 2 months since last time. I have changed things around bit. Let me know what y'all think.

I was thinking of switch the Ludwiga Cuba and the star grass. I don't think there is enough contrast between the cuba and r. indica. I am also trying to get thicker bushes of everything to make more defined groups.

As usual I will put this out.. I really cannot take decent photos. If anyone has any suggestions (both aquascape wise and photography) for me they would be greatly appreciated. Do I need an additional flash or something? I am dumbfounded.