[Fishly]

I have a 55 gallon tank that I'm finally setting up, but I'm not sure how to aquascape it. This will be my first real aquascape and I know 55g tanks are very difficult to scape, so I'm kind of at a loss as to how to do this. I'm not trying to make an ADA/AGA-quality scape, I just want something simple for me to enjoy.

The tank will have T5 HO lighting (2 bulbs, still deciding on a brand) and pressurized CO2. The substrate will be MTS, but I have't decided whether I should cap it with play sand or pool filter sand. I'm leaning towards the play sand because it's a brighter white and better at holding down plants. However, I'm not sure if I should use the pool filter sand instead, since it didn't really work well when I tried to use the play sand in another tank (all the visible roots turned brown and developed red bubbles around them).

I don't have any concrete ideas about the scape except that I want it to have an open, beach-like feel. The plants will be the main filter for the tank, so I'll need plenty of them, but I still want a lot of sand to show. Other than that, I don't know what plants to get or where to put them in the tank. Feel free to toss out some ideas or even cookie cutter suggestions.

 

[Fishly]

Bump

 

[EntoCraig]

http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?main_page=afa_portfolio

This should have all the ideas you even need

 

[Hoppy]

Pool filter sand is much better than play sand because it has no fine particles to pack down and go anaerobic. For an aquascape, try thinking in terms of an island off center in the middle, surrounded by lower growth. It is a different approach from the "tall plants in back, short plants in front" theme.