[demonr6]

So I have my 55 that should be up and running soon.. if I get to build the cabinet this weekend or at least get started, but that is for another topic. Anyhoo.. I have this beautiful manzanita that I procured (thanks to the almighty Tom who knew exactly what I needed) and now I am torn over whether I should stick with the one piece or add one of the others.

This is my first large tank so I am not sure how to approach it. I know, 55 gallons is not large and this is not the best real estate to work with but I think I can get a really nice scape going here. I intend to use a dirt base with a sand cap. I was thinking one side would be sloped higher, the side heavily branched. I intend to tie off the ends with moss to make it look like a living tree. Rocks or stone at the base, right side, then plant that side more heavily.

It's tough for me to visualize it right now and tougher to explain the vision I have for it so if anyone has some suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Right now I think a school of Celestial Pearls, some dwarf cories and shrimp will be the route I tank.

Suggestions, comments, concerns, complaints all welcome.

 

[Capsaicin_MFK]

It is pretty difficult to work with driftwood when you don't have the substrate in the tank. With manzanita, it often works best to put the pieces near each other or overlapping to create the feel of a tree. Stones would go on the base of where the branches go into the substrate. Something like this...

 

[demonr6]

Thanks! That is what I was thinking for the base, just cover it with stones. I am going to play around with it tomorrow and see if I can come up with a configuration adding more wood at the base. You are right though that it is tough without the sub in, I do not want to dump that 50 lb bag of Zeobrite in there at the moment though if I can avoid it.