Finally getting results...

[jscoggs27]

This is my first planted tank set up last weekend now changed 4 times!
Tell me what you think, not shy of criticism.

[PeterUK]

Looks good but IMHO there needs to be something tall at the back.

[2wheelsx2]

Looks good. How do you get the sand to stay up on the sides? Maybe some jungle val draping over the middle would look nice.

[andywoolloo]

looks good!

maybe some floating plants. either fake or real. I anchor my floating plants to the sides (the fake ones ) with veggie clips. So they don't jam all over the tank with the current.

some driftwood with plants attached! The driftwood would look good over those rocks if you could get a right size piece to lay across you know?

what fish are in their, beautiful tank so far!

[leonsmith]

I think it looks good mate sure you will be changing around a few times before you settle

[corybrummie2010]

Nice looking set up.I think replacing one of the rock at the front with a piece of driftwood will look good,but that`s my opinion.what type of fishes will you be thinking of putting in your tank?

[jscoggs27]

Hi,
Not sure what fish to put in there yet. Cant find any catfish small enough! I did originally have some branches and moss on the right hand side but wasnt pleased with the result. I'm hoping with the quantity of light and co2 im adding that ill see some significant growth,and fill up the spaces a bit.


The substrate is the key to making it all stay in place. I have used a cheaper alternative to branded plant substrates. Lime free potting grit mixed with flourite with just silica sand at the front to dress the path down the middle. the potting grit varies from 1mm to 5mm grains and is a lovely natural colour. Cheap too at 3.95 for a 25 kg bag!

Any suggestions for fish? Dont forget its only 10 uk gallons.

this is what it looked like before the changes...I prefer it now. But like you said may need some more plants, haveve to see how they fill out.

[jscoggs27]

Took your advice. Did need more plants as it was looking a bit barren at the back and left hand side.




Thanks for all the suggestions.

[2wheelsx2]

Looking much better, but I noticed that your plants in the rear corners appear to be in shade.

[Richard B]

I really like the 'concave' substrate look - almost like a cross section of a riverbed.

[jscoggs27]

Looking much better, but I noticed that your plants in the rear corners appear to be in shade.

Thanks, It may look like its shady but its just a trick of the camera. Ive had to turn the exposure way down cos the silica sand reflects a lot and overexposes the whole shot. Those are cryptocoryne (i think!) and dont mind a bit less light than the others.
Was going to get some dwarf corys, but think ill stick with some shrimp and a small shoal of rasboras. Seems my catfish keeping days are for a while at least over.
Thanks for looking.
jason

[2wheelsx2]

I'm sure that was a wise choice. Cories would surely push the substrate around as they sift through it and eventually you would have a flat substrate with no contours.

[jscoggs27]

Well they do have wiska's, sorta....