Aquascaping Tips

[Satsumas]

I am looking on the net and at this aquascaping contest to find ideas and tips on aquascaping I really, really want to create the best looking tank i can and i think this is a good time while i wait for my luminaire to arrive and tank to cycle.
I also am looking at some book's which should help me along the way aswell.

So far i have came up with certain points that should be taken into consideration and some do's and dont's. I was also wandering if anyone has other do's and dont's that they could share?
Some of the following ones i found apply to a smaller tank (20gal) and some are just general pointers.

1. Slope the substrate (lower at the front, higher at the back) to create depth.
2. Fewer species of plants.
3. Use mainly thin leaved plants but have some larger leaved plants to contrast with the thin ones.
4. Put at maximum 2 focal points and have them slightly off centre.
5. Plant dense.

That's all that i can find at the moment but i think these are good to bare in mind and consider when designing your tank. I just thought i'd list some which may help others and hopefully some of you have some which you would like to share?

TIA

[Jchillin]

Thanks for sharing Satsumas, to be sure, I believe a lot of the members know of the process you are speaking of and their is no problem with linking these sites so others who are not aware can see what you are referring to.

Those contests are brutal but the tanks look gorgeous!

[Satsumas]

Yeah i'm sure that many members are very experienced aquarists and know pretty much everything when it comes to designing a tank.
I was hoping that we could get a few pointers going and maybe add/expand the suggestions i listed. I'm sure it would be a great benefit to me and others that would like to get some help on aquascaping.

Here's where i got some of my tips from...
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...e&name=welcome
http://freshaquarium.about.com/libra...erms=Aquascape
http://www.tropica.com/default.asp

Yep, the judges don't hold back thats for sure!

[Lonewolfblue]

Another thing is to add a splash of color too, some reds, bronzes, etc.

[Satsumas]

@Lonewolfblue - Couldn't agree more! They say that this is to be done with care as not to take the focus off the focal point.

[JDogg]

those are good rules..some of them i even follow...are my tanks nicley aquascaped i like them...

that is my #1 tip... do what YOU think looks good, if others do too that is fine...

i am really happy with my 10 gallon..still working out the kinks in my 75 though...

[Zezmo]

Here are some excerpts from the comments the Judges gave me from my entries into this years AGA contest.

"Try planning your hardscape first, and then working around that. ... Then consider using the red plants as an accent, rather than having them dominate the tank." ---Karen Randall

"Position the plants with more harmony this will improve the look of your tank the Alternathera is too clse to the center, and is hard to appreciate the other plants." ---Luis Navarro

""Wedges of Color" indeed! But I fail to see the overall layout plan in this tank. The plants seem a bit too randomly placed though a good feeling of depth is achieved." ---Ole Pedersen

"Try planting in order, this helps a lot! ... You can grow plants well organize your tank a little better and you will enjoy it even more!" ---Luis Navarro

I will add, that I had a chance to talk with the judges in person at the AGA convention. They added:
Remove equipment and set things up for Photoday
Use a hairdryer on the surface to create ripple effects
Avoid lighted fancy backgrounds, plain black is preffered
Make sure all elements of the scape have "matured" at the same time
and finally...
Use photoshop to correct your images so they better represent the beauty you see in person.

Also, watching the "Iron Aquascaper" contest in person was quite enlightening. Seeing two masters put together a stunning scape in one hour with materials on hand was quite a show.

[czcz]

Any interesting discussion on an ideal tank size at AGA?

Is height or depth (front to back) more important to you?

How important do you find equipment and/or concealment of equipment in aquascaping? How important is the space around the tank, as opposed to in the tank?

Thank you.

[rkilling1]

place different leaf shapes next to each other, don't mix the same leaf shape with each other or they will not stand out. same goes with colors. I believe Travis is the one that I got this from.

I will give you guys some quotes from my newest book. I hope it's alright. If not, just delete the entries. The book is "Aquarium Plants, The Practical Guide" by Pablo Tepoot.

"Plant Shape - The shape and form of the plant leaves should be taken into consideration in order to emphasize the distinct charactersitics of the various plants in your aquarium. For example, if you plant a fine-feathered leaf plant in front, try to used broader-leaf plants in the rear. Such varied arrangements will make each group of plants distinct from one another and make your tank more visually interesting"

"Color - As with the shape of the plants, I believe the color of the plants in your aquarium should be varied. Personally, I do not like a uniformly green aquarium. because the plants tend to blend into each other. A more striking visual effect may be achieved by either coordinating different colors or using contrasting shades of green. For example, if a light green plant is in front. use another color (or darker green plant) behind it-or vice versa. In nature, a field of wildflowers has randomly contrasting colors, and yet the whole has a unified, coherent "look" that in universally considered beautiful."

" Height, Space and Grouping - Shorter plants should be in front. The height of your plants should increase toward the back of the aquarium. Combining an open space (usually in front), and a densely planted area increases the depth of field within your aquarium, making the tank seem larger. Plants of the same species should be planted in close proximity with one another, rather than being scattered throughout the aquarium. In nature, Plants of the same species tend to grow together."

"Texture - The combination of driftwood, rocks and living plants creates a diversity of textures that simulates the look of a natural aquascape. Another benefit of this approach is that it breaks up a monotonous environment."

"Finally, I do not believe in providing diagrams of where certain species should be planted in certain areas. You should treat your aquarium as a canvas. What you decide to paint is entirely up to your individuality and creativity!" Pablo Tepoot

[rkilling1]

This post is not to be meant as a hijack, but as a means to better ones self. I am just providing more detail on ways to make your tank more appealing. Well, I hope so anyways.

Originally Posted by Zezmo

Here are some excerpts from the comments the Judges gave me from my entries into this years AGA contest.

"Try planning your hardscape first, and then working around that. ... Then consider using the red plants as an accent, rather than having them dominate the tank." ---Karen Randall

"Position the plants with more harmony this will improve the look of your tank the Alternathera is too clse to the center, and is hard to appreciate the other plants." ---Luis Navarro

""Wedges of Color" indeed! But I fail to see the overall layout plan in this tank. The plants seem a bit too randomly placed though a good feeling of depth is achieved." ---Ole Pedersen

"Try planting in order, this helps a lot! ... You can grow plants well organize your tank a little better and you will enjoy it even more!" ---Luis Navarro

I found your entry:

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...0&vol=2&id=134

Your tank and mine look about the same. (Not that that is bad or anything, I love my tank.) I feel I have to use fewer species and group them together more. More like the dutch style tanks.

Here are some entries that I thought were very nice and some that won.

(thanks for the links Satsumas)

This Tank won this year and as you can see, it only has a select few species of plants in it. (Notice the use of Hardscaping)

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...=0&vol=2&id=93


This is the 2000 winner. It has a tank full of plants with them all grouped together. The dutch style of planting. (Notice the use of different leaf shapes next to each other.)

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...=0&vol=2&id=42


Here is another 2000 entry that has a dutch theme to it. It has the very filled look, but also very organized. (again, notice the use of different leaf shapes as well as the colors)

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...=0&vol=2&id=41


This is from this years contest. I love the grouping of the plants. Again you will see that the leaf shapes and colors are never grouped together. By not grouping them together, they really stand out.

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.or...0&vol=2&id=110

This is what Karen Randall has to say about it: "Beautifully trimmed, striking layout. There are almost too amny different species used, however. It's hard for the eye to know where to land."

Aslo notice that those that have backgrounds are solid colors, which also helps to bring out the colors of the plants.

EDIT: here are some nice tanks:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/gallery.htm



would it be wrong to just copy someones tank? :P

EDIT: one last edit. I couldn't help myself with this one.

http://www.aquabotanic.com/contest20...58_Details.htm