Fun to compare. Plan ahead!

[SparKy697]

I was looking through some photo files this morning and thought I'd share two of them.

This is where the lack of a plan can get you. This was NEVER going to be a planted tank. Until I got one little plant, then another. Before long it was an exorcise in putting them where ever you can find a spot.

For the other new people on this forum, if you think that you even might one day want a plant in your tank, plan it from the start. Worst case is that you end up putting plastic plants where the real ones would have gone.


Before

After

 

[newfound77951]

You know what, though? I don't think your tank looks bad at all! Needs a trim, but you have all the pieces of a great scape with a little rearranging! Nice combination of leaf shapes and colors, good hardscape to work with, and all the plants are obviously very happy.

 

[SparKy697]

I will confess that I really love the overgrown look. I think the biggest problem is that it is almost all stem plants. I have purposely left them to grow so that I will have clippings to place in my new 55.

I really like the look of the substrate but it is pretty coarse and heavy for plant roots IMO

As you all know, it is a great feeling to see your once struggling plants take off and look so happy.

 

[Mosaic]

I don't see the problem, Sparky! Looks pretty good to me.

 

[rkilling1]

It is fun to compare. Here is a thread I made for this purpose:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=90496