Terrace ideas???

[happygirl65]

I have seen a few tanks here where people have used terraces to give varying heights to an aqua scape and to separate different substrates.

I really love the look and have some ideas as I am now planning to re-scape my 55 sometime this year.

I rushed in to planting it in the first place and didn't really have a plan, now I want to give it a lot more class (and recover from the angels beating it up)

So I am taking my time and drawing out plans but of course taking it from art to reality is another story.

I want to create a "walking path" sort of look just off center sweeping to one side or both in a very curvy abstract line.

So I have an idea to purchase a roll of cork and cut it into strips the right height for my retaining wall. Then glue on (aq. safe silicone of course) flat rocks to give it a finished edge and nice view from the front.

My hope is that if I plan the spacing just right that it will still be somewhat flexible in order to do some curves that will look a little more natural and give the illusion of a small rock cliff with the densely planted area behind with eco-complete as the substrate and pfs in front of the retaining wall. The cork would be mostly buried but the rocks would be seen clearly at least their top half.

Another thought was to do a retaining wall with plastic grid sandwitching Christmas moss that would grow up and through the plastic mesh and create the first low layer of plants.

Any other thoughts or ideas on terracing?

Lets get our creative juices flowing!

[theotheragentm]

Very cool drawing. I can't wait to see it come to life.

[Zagz]

It sounds very interesting. I may have to do some googling to get an image in my head.

[Seepu]

I saw some photos of a contest that the FW tank/plants were used to create a 'landscape' of sorts. The tanks made mini creeks, fields, rolling hills... it was pretty awesome.

Sorry, I don't have a link and for the life of me.. don't know what to Google to find it again.. it has been a few years, but maybe someone here might have heard/seen something similar.

Edited to add.. Google "Aqua Design Amano"

[happygirl65]

I have a spare 10g laying around....I just might try some of the different ideas and experiment....lol

[Peyton]

I'm also going to try a terraced design soon. I have a 30gal hex that I'm going to try to terrace using rough slate tiles as retaining walls. I would like to separate the tank into 3 sections with each being a different level. Haven't ironed out all the details yet though.

[happygirl65]

Definitely try it and post pics if you get it done I think it could be really neat.

[happygirl65]

How about 2" mosaic tiles? They could be silicone glued to a mesh backing, they would be flexible and heavy Then christmas moss could be trained to grow in the cracks! The tumbled tiles would give it a more natural look

[happygirl65]

I think I am going with acrylic....have two large sheets now, just have to figure out how to heat it without burning it so I can bend/form it exactly as I want it.
My husband (being the techie guy he is) wants to put LED lights in the bottom of the wall and light it up...I think it could add a wonderful new light source to see things light up at the bottom for a change Especially as a canopy grows at the top blocking light....I will be sure to post pics or journal the process once I have it all figured out.

[Alshain]

If you look at my tank (link in signature) I have one terracing idea in that. This design doesn't last a whole long time I've found though. After about a year the glue starts losing cohesion and the round rocks start to slide. I eventually took mine out.

If you can get a substantial quantity of Slate rock, I've seen people do beautiful things with it. It's naturally flat so it stacks well and can be strategically glued. Plus, it can work for a stone path appearance as well.

PG: DIY Slate Cave / Terrace - PlantGeek.net

Others use artificial materials and cut shapes and designs and make them very realistic. Just be careful you chose materials that won't introduce poisons to the water. If using rock, make sure it doesn't alter your water chemistry (slate is safe).