Teach me how to aquascape!

[bettasalltheway23]

Sorry, i know this doesn't really fit into the getting started category, but I want to get started learning how to aquascape. Right now I have what I'd call a moderately planted tank. I want to know how to make it less boring, and lifeless. Kind of like driftwood. But the thing is that the fake driftwood is so expensive. And I really can't fit that into my budget. And I just want the tank to look good. How should I place the plants, and how do I make the heater look less crude, and stand out less in the tank? Thank you everyone!

 

[Fishperson]

How big is the tank? Can you post pics? I just try to make it look as natural as possible. I love driftwood, and I want to cover a piece in java moss. That looks pretty cool. You can place the heater low and at an angle on the back of the tank, and cover it up with plants, rocks, or driftwood. Put the smaller, lower plants in the front, the medium and large mixed in the back and middle of the tank, with a centerpiece (like driftwood, a pile of rocks, etc.) near the middle.

 

[bettasalltheway23]

its a 75 gal, you can see it as my avatar in my profile.

 

[Convict2161]

Sorry, i know this doesn't really fit into the getting started category, but I want to get started learning how to aquascape. Right now I have what I'd call a moderately planted tank. I want to know how to make it less boring, and lifeless. Kind of like driftwood. But the thing is that the fake driftwood is so expensive. And I really can't fit that into my budget. And I just want the tank to look good. How should I place the plants, and how do I make the heater look less crude, and stand out less in the tank? Thank you everyone!

A pic of the tank will help. You have to remember a few things. Aqua scaping is like art. It's open to interpretation. There is no right or wrong BUT there are things or I should say ways to scape a tank to give that WOW factor and to give it the illusion of being bigger. When aqua scaping try and focus on the imperfections almost being random. Having things look "placed" is going to give it a well... Placed look. Also what type of look are you going for?

Here a my tanks to give you an idea of what I mean. My planted tank was very very random and chaotic. The African tank was a little more thought out because of the placement of all the driftwood while trying to maintain a natural look.

 

[bettasalltheway23]

I want to go for a natural look. I like it when there are flat stones stacked in the back, but the problem is, I don't know where to get them. And the pic is my avatar.

 

[bettasalltheway23]

my tank is my profile pic, i want a natural look, I like the flat stone look, kind of where there stacked up in the back.

 

[bettasalltheway23]

oh sorry, i didnt see it post. lol

 

[Convict2161]

I want to go for a natural look. I like it when there are flat stones stacked in the back, but the problem is, I don't know where to get them. And the pic is my avatar.

You can find rocks, stones, driftwood etc near a stream, lake, pond etc. just make sure to clean it good and boil the driftwood.

Once you have a vision then honestly its up to you. When scaping don't try and beat it all in one night. Take a step back and come back with fresh eyes at a later time.

Here's a good video I always reference to people. Watch it and really listen to the narration.

http://youtu.be/OZ0WBDcEWZE

 

[Convict2161]

oh sorry, i didnt see it post. lol

No worries

 

[bettasalltheway23]

You can find rocks, stones, driftwood etc near a stream, lake, pond etc. just make sure to clean it good and boil the driftwood.

Once you have a vision then honestly its up to you. When scaping don't try and beat it all in one night. Take a step back and come back with fresh eyes at a later time.

Here's a good video I always reference to people. Watch it and really listen to the narration.

'Through the Eyes of a Child' Aquascape by James Findley - The Making of - YouTube

How would I go about boiling a LARGE piece of driftwood?

 

[Convict2161]

How would I go about boiling a LARGE piece of driftwood?

Lobster pot is good, dishwasher works well. Of not just scrub it real well and soak it real good in boiling water changing the water often. The wood will leach tannins which isn't harmful just makes the water a tea color.

 

[bettasalltheway23]

Tea color? Will it stain the silicone? And will I have to do water changes to get the color out?

 

[Convict2161]

Tea color? Will it stain the silicone? And will I have to do water changes to get the color out?

It won't harm anything and water changes will help.

Here's what I mean. Some people actually strive for that unique look.

http://youtu.be/ya_Q-5ZwWkY

http://youtu.be/4bDbJ9kRtVM

http://youtu.be/GxhKMyk5yJk

 

[bettasalltheway23]

It won't harm anything and water changes will help.

Here's what I mean. Some people actually strive for that unique look.

Blackwater Aquarium - YouTube

fluval roma 125 (peat balls, almond leaves and new wood = TANNINS) - YouTube

Heckel Discus - Hardwood Tannins.MOV - YouTube

Personally I think it looks ugly, although that's just my opinion. How long will the tea color take to come out with daily water changes?

 

[bud29]

With daily water changes, there shouldn't be much tea stain at all. Also, putting activated carbon in the filter helps take away the tea color.

If you wash in the dishwasher however, be mindful that most dishwashers now have rinsing agents that you will have to remove before putting in the driftwood.

 

[bettasalltheway23]

With daily water changes, there shouldn't be much tea stain at all. Also, putting activated carbon in the filter helps take away the tea color.

If you wash in the dishwasher however, be mindful that most dishwashers now have rinsing agents that you will have to remove before putting in the driftwood.

I have a large cooking pot, ill put the fryer on low, and fill it with water. That should work right? Also, I have some hornwort plant. I was wondering if the driftwood has small holes, and crevices. Will i be able to put small parts of the hornwort in there to make it look like its growing through? or would the root system dry out?

 

[azmodan]

Here's another helpful link: The Golden Ration Nature Aquarium Aquatic Plant Layouts | The Green Machine

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Some more reading for you.

http://fish-etc.com/aquascaping-main/how-to-hardscape-your-aquarium

http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/aquascapingprinc/aquascaping101.html

 

[bettasalltheway23]

Picked out a nice piece of driftwood today, but it wouldn't sink. So I soaked it in my kiddy pool... then my dog got to it, and chewed it to bits. But I looked online and saw that some people had some nice sticks/branches in his tank. I was wondering if the same rules apply for sticks and branches as driftwood. Also, it said that it may grow fungus. How would I prevent this?

 

[bthomas]

You can find rocks, stones, driftwood etc near a stream, lake, pond etc. just make sure to clean it good and boil the driftwood.

Once you have a vision then honestly its up to you. When scaping don't try and beat it all in one night. Take a step back and come back with fresh eyes at a later time.

Here's a good video I always reference to people. Watch it and really listen to the narration.

http://youtu.be/OZ0WBDcEWZE

Great video! Definitely thinking of a different scape for my 150 gallon now.Anyone know what the tall red/purple background plants are in each corner?