CmLaracy's 75P ADA

[CmLaracy]

Well as many of you may know from my previous thread, I've been planning and spending for quite some time now. It originally started as a planned low tech 29 gallon AGA, and SOMEHOW manifested into a high tech ADA 75P . The going as been slow, I know that for sure, but it all seems worth it now as everything comes en masse. This hobby never ends up being what you originally planned, and an especially shocking surprise to your wallet.

Ok, so first of all I want to thank EVERYONE on the forums, as without your guidance I'd have never made it this far. Be it arguments, posts, topics, or even things just watched from the sidelines, new information was in surplus each and everyday I logged on. You guys have helped me so much, directly and indirectly, knowingly and unknowingly, and I thank you for that. Cheers to some great scapes.

Well now, let us begin...

The specs are as follows

ADA 75P - 75cmx45cmx45cm
166w of PC and T5
Filtar xP3 (pimp numba 117)
Pressurized CO2 w/ the works...
18L ASA II
3L ASA II Powder
2L PS Special S
500mL Brighty K (dosings below)
500mL Brighty Step 1
Lily Pipes
Custom built ADA style stand (pm for pricings and sizings, NJ and surrounding states only)
90cmx45cm Garden Mat
Lots of Manzanita (pm for leftovers)
35lbs Zebra stone (pm for leftovers)

Flora: Cyperus Helferi
Hemianthus Callitrichoides (lots)
Eleocharis Vivipara
Echinodorus Tenellus
Narrow Leaf Java Fern
Possibly Taiwan Moss

Fauna: 3x SAE's/ Otto's, cant decide
20+ Amano Shrimp

As for the stand, it is nearly finished, awaiting it's second, third, and fourth coats of Flat Black Paint.

Heres a shot of the tank, followed by the ADA merch







As you may have noticed, for the hardscape I have a myriad of options. As for tonight I will only have time to show you two of the hopefuls, and until the third is finished, tell me which you prefer.


Powersand -





Rockscape -



Manzanita Scape -



Combo Scape -



Hardscape with powder ASA-




Hardscape with HC planted-




From above-




Right side-




E. Tenellus from above-




Low Water-




Directly After Setup





One day later-



Two days later-


Edit: Dosings:
Dosing Per Day
1mL = 1 Pump

(Maxi)
8mL Potassium
6mL Trace Elements

(Normi)
6mL Potassium
4mL Trace Elements

(Mini)
4mL Potassium
2mL Trace Elements

(Nano)
2mL Potassium
1mL Trace Elements

***GO TO THE LAST PAGES FOR MOST UP-TO-DATE PICTURES***

[CmLaracy]

Next is the stand, which is awaiting it's final coats of flat black, and the plants, which will arrive some time this week or early next week. I'm torn on the hardscapes...

[moogoo]

great stuff man. i personally like the rock look. if done right with the plants, it'll make the tank look even bigger than it really is! the wood is nice if you want the jungle look... but i lean toward the minimalist design approach or the experimental/scene design approach. I think the manzanita style is not as "wow". Just my thoughts. I'd go for the rocks. I'd make the whole look even more unbalanced though. Right now it just seems like you threw a bunch of rocks on either side til you ran out. Which unfortunately makes it look very planned. You want it to look natural. Rocks will stick out at different angles and be buried deep. Some will be leaning on others, etc. try to make it look like random placement. I think it would add a lot to the whole look once it's said and done because they say the hardscape is the heart of the aquascape (actually i don't know if they say that, but i believe that)

[CmLaracy]

Originally Posted by moogoo

I'd make the whole look even more unbalanced though. Right now it just seems like you threw a bunch of rocks on either side til you ran out. Which unfortunately makes it look very planned. You want it to look natural. Rocks will stick out at different angles and be buried deep. Some will be leaning on others, etc. try to make it look like random placement. I think it would add a lot to the whole look once it's said and done because they say the hardscape is the heart of the aquascape (actually i don't know if they say that, but i believe that)

I agree, I have t work on this a bit. I have time, so I'll get to it soon, probably tomorrow or thursday. thanks for the advice Moo!

Oh, and by the way, I'd try my best to give the Manzanita scape a clean ADA look. I'd avoid the jungle look as much as I could.

[frozenbarb]

I so the rock slope look more bright and prettier

[CmLaracy]

Originally Posted by frozenbarb

I so the rock slope look more bright and prettier

I can't really understand what you're trying to say....

[Wookiellmonster]

Originally Posted by CmLaracy

I can't really understand what you're trying to say....

Perhaps-- I so dig the rock scape, the slopes make it look bright and pretty ??

Anyway, I really like hardscape with the rocks too. But, I'm sure whatever you decide it will look great. Can't wait!

[kr0nic]

A mixture of both rock and wood can work VERY well with some good planning. Just look at last years Aquatic Gardeners Comps first prize.

[CmLaracy]

I think because of the plants I chose, I need to go with the manzanita or a combo of both, not just rocks. what do you guys think?

[Momotaro]

Maybe it is the angle of the photo, but the stone looks awkward. Everything is placed just so, with what looks like an almost equal distance between the stones as well. They also appear to be of similar size.

Play around with them more.....and lose one of the stones on the left hand side, too. Groups of three do work best.

Wood looks a lot better than the stone.

Try taking the piece of wood that is off to the right that little bit, flip it over and place it near the "Y" in the piece of wood next to it so it looks like an off shoot of that branch.


Mike

[garuf]

I'd like to see a wood and rock scape, and more variation in substrate height, think, mound.

[gmccreedy]

I concur that rocks are nice, bu your arrangement is too "placed". You could try burying them a bit more, to blend them INTO the substrate, as opposed to them "resting" on top of the substrate.

the rock scale is going to get lost with the Cyperus Helferi, Eleocharis Vivipara and Narrow Leaf Java Fern I think.

I would like to see a combo wood and stone arrangement...that could be the ticket.

[CmLaracy]

Ok, I tried the rock/manzanita combo and found it to be very difficult. Here's what I came up with, suggestions would be appreciated. Im going to go try again.




And heres the Narrow Leaf Java I was talking about

[garuf]

More wood, for certain, I really like it though, Like I say though, more wood, run it from the centre over the rocks and into the substrate like roots and then add some more ones that reach for the water surface, breaking it if possible.

[gmccreedy]

Hmmm. Not quite sure here. i still think those rocks are going to get swallowed up by plants very quickly. I think this really depends on how much or how densely planted this is going to be.

As momtaro suggested, have you tried "combining" the pieces to simulate one piece of wood with multiple branches?