Would like some feedback/opinions (scape in progress)

[philipraposo1982]

Hi MFKers,

I decided I wasn't happy with Kai's old aquascape and wanted to try something different. So off I go hunting for some scaping materials.

It's not done yet, let's call this stage 1. Alot of the wood is still floating and many leaves too. I won't be using everything but I am pretty set on the main hardscape (big wood and big rocks).

The small branches and leaves and anubias still have to be worked on. I will let things settle for a week and finish the scape up next weekend.

I just wanted some feedback on what you guys think. How can I improve on it and what would you do differently.

I am trying out some new to me substrate. It's national geographic black sand from PetSmart. So far I like it.

Thanks in advance,

Phil

 

[knobhill]

Looks good, that is one lucky GT!

 

[Drstrangelove]

I completely agree. Looks really good.

Really, it looks done to me. The *only* thing that I might want is a sort of light coming somewhere from above in the back of the tank. Not a big beam, but just enough to cast a little light in the back. I think it would give it a little more impression of depth (like you're looking into water that continues back, but is too dark to make out.)

On the other hand, the way it is now, it probably looks even more amazing when the fish swims out of the dark.

But that's me.

 

[philipraposo1982]

Thanks for the feedback. In order for me to take decent photos I have to put the lighting in a spot that is not normal.

The way the picture shows the light is not how it is in person. You can see things alot better than how the picture shows but still is darker in the back.

 

[bbortko]

I love it however I wouldn't get to attached to the leaf litter. Maybe it's a species thing but once my larger fish(psittacus, polleni, and maybe even my datnoids) learned that they can eat the leaves they would destroy them within hours of adding new leaves which lead to a huge mess. Hopefully your gt doesn't show interest in them.

 

[Drstrangelove]

The way the picture shows the light is not how it is in person. You can see things a lot better than how the picture shows but still is darker in the back.

That makes perfect sense. It seems difficult to create a sense of both the detachment one gets when seeing a foreign world and the affinity from seeing animals living in it. The combination of dark and light with floating vegetation I think does it so much better than most scenes I can recall.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I love that scape.It looks really good and natural.
My only suggestion would be find a branch to hide the filter intake.
That's being very critical because the overall scape is spot on.

 

[Hendre]

Looks good but it needs some "height" to it. Sloping rooty branches and the likes

Pretty awesome though, good job

 

[philipraposo1982]

I love it however I wouldn't get to attached to the leaf litter. Maybe it's a species thing but once my larger fish(psittacus, polleni, and maybe even my datnoids) learned that they can eat the leaves they would destroy them within hours of adding new leaves which lead to a huge mess. Hopefully your gt doesn't show interest in them.

Hopefully he doesn't, I am really liking the leaf litter too. My synos seem to love exploring all the new hiding spots

I love that scape.It looks really good and natural.
My only suggestion would be find a branch to hide the filter intake.
That's being very critical because the overall scape is spot on.

I know, it has been bugging me too. I will have to find something for sure.

Looks good but it needs some "height" to it. Sloping rooty branches and the likes

Pretty awesome though, good job

Great idea, I always struggle to create that look in my scapes. Problem is Kai enjoys all parts of the water I don't want to block too much swimming space. He is not that big yet but with time he will grow and I want as much open water as I can get. Will definitely keep it in mind though.

Thanks everyone who has provided feedback so far, and all the kind words of course Keep it coming, all great stuff!

 

[Hendre]

Here's my very synodontis friendly scape, height is lacking here too, I'm sure it would make a difference. Tall plants such as vallisneria can add that height plus give hiding space for fish