'Scape critique?

1493 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by brains613, Oct 3, 2010

brains613

Discussion Starter · Oct 2, 2010

I just set up my 46 gallon bowfront, for my first (serious) attempt at a planted tank. I could use some criticism. I've looked around the forums for ideas, but this is what I've come up with. I bought plants from two members, and planted as best I could. I waited for the water to clear, and took a couple pics. What do you think?

First, my equipment

Rena XP4
-media
Purigen
Fine pond filter media
coarse and fine rena brand foam
Bio-chem stars
ceramic rings
note - I have the spray bar for the rena hooked up, and the output seems a little rough. Any reason to turn it down? It's kinda beating up the plants underneath it, all the way to the substrate.

Coralife 58122 with 2x21w
-10,000K daylight bulb
-6700K daylight bulb
note - these are the bulbs that came with the fixture. Any reason to replace them right away?

Plants
Dwarf sag
Oriental swords
Medium Aponogeton ulvaceus
Plantlet Echinodorus tenellus
Medium Nymphaea pubescens
Rotala Colorata
Red Rotala macrandra
Echinodorus Angustifolia
Amazon frogbit
I have some reservations about the WAY I planted some of the plants. Can you see from the pics if there are any issues?

Hardscape
couple small pieces of slate - small stack on the left there
small piece of mopani - middle-ish, to the right
larger piece of mopani - back right, leaning against the back

Couple notes.
I don't really like the blue inlet pipe from the filter, can I paint that with something?
The heater that you see in the back is coming out. I have a Rena Smartheater (inline) coming in the mail
I also have a couple pieces of driftwood coming in the mail, although I'm on the fence about putting them in this tank
I am also looking for suggestions for stocking. I am partial to things outside the norm, and I don't think I want cichlids or angels

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brains613

Discussion Starter · #2 · Oct 2, 2010

Last two pictures

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Baadboy11

· #3 · Oct 2, 2010

Just my personal opinion, but I feel like you need something tall on the side, like a big stump or cool rocks...it just all looks like its on one level. Just my $.02

I would also move your spray bar to one side of the tank if it fits, and move your heater towards a side as well.

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PinoyBoy

· #4 · Oct 2, 2010

Krylon fusion is used by alot of us aquarium people. I used it to paint a false wall to go inside the aquarium. So far so good. Just give it a good sanding and LIGHT COATS with about 15 minutes of dry time in between coats. Others might have a better way to prep their items for painting, but that's what I did to mine.

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ReefkprZ

· #5 · Oct 2, 2010

I would move the crypt further away from the lotus, crypts tend to have huge root systems and it may overpower your tigerlotus. I have had to do the same thing because the leaves were overshadowing the base, which I was afraid would slow the growth of newer lotus leaves. and again I didnt want them chocking out the lotus.

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ADC

· #6 · Oct 3, 2010

It looks nice as is. The only thing I would do different is stand up the driftwood or get a bigger piece to give you some height in your tank.

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littlefish

· #7 · Oct 3, 2010

I would add some stones or driftwood...

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brains613

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 3, 2010

ReefkprZ said:
I would move the crypt further away from the lotus, crypts tend to have huge root systems and it may overpower your tigerlotus. I have had to do the same thing because the leaves were overshadowing the base, which I was afraid would slow the growth of newer lotus leaves. and again I didnt want them chocking out the lotus.

To what crypt are you referring? Forgive my ignorance, but I simply copied and pasted the names from the threads where I bought the plants. I didn't think I had any crypts!

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brains613

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 3, 2010

Thanks for the suggestions, all. I actually have some driftwood coming in the mail from a member here. I thought it would have arrived by now, but I needed to get the plants down, so I expect to have to do a slight rescape, at least. I was hoping for some suggestions here, so that when I do, I can incorporate these pieces with the suggestions.

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