[richieh]

Halfway through cycling my tank, I decided want a land area in the back area of the tank. Installing an eggcrate false-bottom would require me to make a huge mess, draining the tank and removing the aqua soil in the area. I also don't want to make any large changes to the dragon stones which is also stabilized by the aquasoil around it.
Draining and removing aquasoil is the last resort.
Are there any ways I can turn the area into an emerged land area without needing to do major rescaping.
Are there materials that can be placed on aquasoil without sinking over time?

 

[DanC_]

Hello, you could consider geting some plastic grids, that way it will minimize disturbances to the existing area while maintaining sufficient water flow. If you're thinking of putting any other substrate then lay an extra sheet of stainless steel mesh ontop of the plastic grid and you should be fine. Suction cups can be used on the back panel to help provide a bit of extra stability but ultimately up to you.

Cheers,

 

[DanC_]

So make it look something like that but with the grids so you can just stick a few legs into the substrate and then everything else is held ontop

 

[minorhero]

If you actually want land, I would commit to it and rescape the tank with land in mind.

HOWEVER

If you just want to have some terrestrial plants that can be grown hydroponically, then you have a wide variety of options available to make this happen, from 3d printed holders, to wire frame wabi kusa. Options in your country will vary but I think you get the idea.

 

[richieh]

Thank you for your advices! Is it okay if the plastic grids sits horizontally on top of the wet aquasoil?Or should I shove a few pieces vertically into the aquasoil on both sides creating a barrier? I probably will have the pile up more aquasoil in the area first until it almost touches the water surface.

 

[richieh]

Here are some other angles of the tank.

 

[Harpspiel]

Wabi kusa can look very much like land once they’ve grown in, and are extremely easy. Lighting grid would be a challenge to disguise.