Thank you everyone!! I seriously never thought I'd win. I guess seeing it every day makes you not appreciate it as much, but I'll say seeing it through y'alls eyes has given me a renewed appreciation. But I will say it doesn't look like this anymore. The Val has pretty much taken over haha. My build thread will show you just how much.
As for how I did it: 20/40 grit black diamond blasting sand @~3" deep. It's a 300 gallon deep and there's 550 lbs of sand in it. I've got two 4 foot 6500k led lights and 3 finnex planted+ along the back and Val side. Beyond that, I honestly just kinda dropped everything in and let it sink where it may. I planted the plants in areas I wanted them and just let them go nuts. So in short, I tried to let nature do it.
As I've always said about this tank, there are multiple 11-12" fish (bichirs and a bgk) in there that I go days without seeing, or only see during feeding, because it's such a jungle. And when I do finally see them, their fat with stunning colors. That's how i know I'm doing something right.
I personally feel as hobbyists we should strive to replicate our pet's natural habitats as best we can. Yes fish are pretty to look at and interact with, but I like to see them act as they would in the wild even more. After nearly 10 years in the hobby I feel I'm as close to that as I've ever been.
So once again thanks for all the kind words everyone! And the mfk staff for hosting these giveaways.
OTp1144
for an awesome tank scape. Making a lot of members jelly with that one! Now you’ve got share ur secrets with us all. Also, since you’ve won you’ll be getting a prize for ur photo. You’ll be hearing from me. So to the other tank specialists out there keep submitting those photos. 
