Yes I'm already thinking about a new scape.. So yesterday a designed this, made up from about 10+ pieces of manzanita and glue covering the joints with soil to hide them. The joints will eventually be covered with growth as I'm thinking mini pelia and fiss phoenix. The scape I'm thinking about is a shallow tank 60cmLx30cmDx18cmH I suppose you can say its the same as a ada 60F as I want a riparium style scape 2/3 of the wood along with plants will be emersed and the other 1/3 submersed. The white tile I used for the base in 60x30 so will be exactly the size I'm using and the boxing on the back and sides is 18 high resembling the actual tank height. I'm thinking riverbed.. Pebbles and river sand as the hardscape then plants or a full planted carpeted scape?
Jason You now have a beautiful feature there you have two basic choices back general area or I would prefer a central with a mix of substrate, rocks and plants to blend with and highlight that DW. Is the DW to be above and below the water line? https://www.google.com.au/search?q=driftwood+central+aquascapes&hl=en&rlz=1Q1GGLD_enAU499AU499&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=FiDwVMi8Oobp8AWmy4KYDg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1192&bih=703#imgdii=_&imgrc=0WQ7bKaufVAw9M%253A%3BScBLaggfoHqrzM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimg690.imageshack.us%252Fimg690%252F5964%252Frun180litresbis2ck52lx5.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.aquaticplantcentral.com%252Fforumapc%252Faquascaping%252F75636-need-help-how-make-good-hard.html%3B600%3B335 Convex category Aquascaping categories--my own take on it. | AquaScaping World Forum Convex is the opposite and is usually based on a central mound. Once again this form is also a classic and is integral to most aquatic design layouts as a foundation of form. Jason there are some excellent ideas in that Convex category for you to have fun with. Keith
Thanks Keith The driftwood will be 1/3 under and 2/3 above water. I'm certainly thinking island to the back left sloping towards the front right side (this is how I designed the wood)
Jason OK now we can start. Divide the base of the mock up into thirds and start with the DW on the back 41% marking, as for height the main focal point will also want to be on the same 2/3rds high 41% For simplicity use cheap sand as your substrate its easy to work with as well. Rocks have selected any yet? Remember some will never be seen and others will highlight the DW as its the only feature you have to work with. Plants that is Yours and Roy's department. There are only two rules that you must stick to with no exceptions:- First is always KIS Second always remember "More is Less" Follow those two simple rules and you will always have the best you can do with what materials you can get or have. Keith
Thankyou as this will be 1/3 submersed and 2/3 emersed I make a background based on this and mark out as you mentioned. Rocks I'm going pebbles and river sand. My sand choice is Or Pebbles I'm off to garden centre later to look.
Now I'm thinking lighter sand due to contrast, I will decide this by stealing some from another tank just to test and compare.
the photo of the wood actually does it no justice as the wood comes out towards the front right corner and not the back right as it appears from the photo, I'll try and get a shot from above as well to give you more of an idea. My plan is from the wood/pebbles backwards is to use ada Amazonian and sand in front with the odd scattered pebble blending into the main pebbles. I will also be using co2 and ferts. For fauna I'll be using amano shrimp, bloody Mary shrimp and either rasbora or ember tetras (better for schooling) due to the size. Flora.. I'm still thinking about this but have a few ideas.
Jason I am never a lover of contrasting features as they "can" clash and be over powering. If you are trying to create the natural appeal all the rocks seem to blend in and complement each other. With those pebbles I like the top small stones, I then would see a small mix of slightly larger stones mixed through the substrate mix. Keith
Hi Jason, Love the DW piece. The substrate and the river stones should work well together. Looking forward to seeing how this one comes along :encouragement:
Thanks Roy I've placed the wood into one if my rubs so I can DSM some mini pelia and fiss on it ready for when I get this going until then I'm gathering my equipment together. For this one I want to go hi tech co2 etc above and below the water line, so I might change things as I go. I'm also building a co2 reactor as I enjoy the diy and experimenting the cost is the same as a inline defuser but much better at desolving the co2, I'll post the build soon
Keith the sand is still a big question mark at the moment as I'm unsure yet if I'm sand or carpet. I'm still planning and making decisions.
Jason That sounds like all I do every day with the 5ft Terrascape. One advice I am always giving "What's the hurry" wait until you get every thing exactly what you want and certainly don't cut corners. Now that does sound very Hi Tech Keith
