How to give the substrate dimension

[donaldastwood]

Hi I have a planted tank with eco complete substrate. But no matter what i do to arrange the substrate to make it look nice, it always returns to being dead flat in no time. Any advice on maintaining troughs and gullys in planted tanks?

 

[WyldFya]

Use plants, rather than the gravel.

 

[donaldastwood]

thats not allot of use? Use Plants? How can i use plants to keep lelvations and gulleys in my substrate? Can you explain a little more?

 

[amehel0]

i think he means use the rooting of the plantsalso adding rocks at the peaks can sometimes help.

 

[schaadrak]

You can use driftwood, rocks, plants, etc. as barriers to hold the gravel. But it has a tendency to eventually level itself out and create a "stair-step" look more than a "rolling hills and valleys" look.

 

[donaldastwood]

Ahhh, Ok, that makes a whole heep more sense....

Does anyone have pics of these "Steps"?

 

[Andrewtfw]

You could get pieces of glass cut a various lengths/heights. Then use aquarium epoxy (bonds underwater and is fish safe), to fix the glass to the bottom of the tank. Fill in the areas with enough gravel (or use styrofoam as a lift), to cover the glass pieces.