Hi guys i currently have a 240+ gallon tank, its inhabitants are a jag, carpintis and a trimac. There currently getting along well but the trimac is still young so im not deluded and thinking i won't have to keep a close eye on them. What i would like to know is do you guys do anything to make your tank pop. Substrate is natural looking pfs, with large pieces of driftwood, large stones and some small pebbles scattered around. Iv tried some java ferns but they kind of get drowned out because of the size of the tank and look a but unnatural to me. It's a plywood tank so the inside is all black, the light is shorter than the tank so there is about a half a foot of darknees at either end of the tank, i think it makes it look more natural and lowers agression as there is a area of retreat. Just wondering if you guys think fake floating plants would help or any of you natural aquascapers have any tips.....Thanks guys i will post pictures once i have my camera back
how do you guys make a central american tank pop!
- Thread starter clayton1985
- Start date
the fish should make it pop but you have fish that can be classified as centerpeice fish. lets see some tank and fish pics
tie your java fern to your driftwood and let it take root,java fern looks awesome growing on driftwood.
lets see some pics so we can get the canvas cause everything sounds good. the lighting to me is what makes a tank pop. good colored fish with a natural aquascape with the proper light bulbs will make your tank pop.
3D backgrounds work really well for CA tanks. Most CAs won't tolerate plants and you wouldn't find many in most species natural habitat anyway. I go for a nice background and a simple hardscape of sand/gravel mix, rocks, and some wood.
Clayton, sounds to me like you already have a tank that pops, I wouldn't add fake plants to the mix.
I like the looks of shorter lights than tanks as well. Do you have the lights pulled to the front of the tank?
IMO it adds the illusion of a deeper tank.
Waiting for pics .......
I like the looks of shorter lights than tanks as well. Do you have the lights pulled to the front of the tank?
IMO it adds the illusion of a deeper tank.
Waiting for pics .......
I agree lighting is an important componant, on my 220 I use a 48" T-5 with a 10k and a 6700 Kelevn bulb I also use two 24" LED fixtures on different timers. I have a black ground and PFS with some tall and shorter pieces of driftwood. Try to use the golden ratio (Google it) where basicly the center piece is set in the left or rigt 3rd of the tank. But this is not a hard and fast rule as my 220 is currently set up with a center "island" where the highest point just slightly ascew of center. The center piece of drift wood is 28" tall x 20" wide. This is for a SA community.
I would add some silver dollars and sealed cup amazon swords, not only do they grow fast and large but they provide a good healthy snack, and if you have they in sealed hydroponic cups you can just shove them back under the substrate or rocks when they are lifted and you won't suffer a loss on the plant or deal with trying to replkant the root system. Got the idea from several forums including here and since my ebjd hasn't uprooted my plant just kind of nips at it for a snack, however your fish are like tripple my baby's size and you should get large specimens
clockwork is that your tank? it is ******* unbelievable... Also RD in your avatar that fish is beautiful! Oh how I am falling for larger fish every time I am on here...