|
Post by parker002 on Jul 3, 2011 10:48:26 GMT -5
This one is likely to be the last! Over the last few weeks, my daughter's 14G tank had begun to separate itself from mine in the race to look the best. He plants were fuller, greener, and healthier. Her substrate is ~3" of just Eco Complete. My substrate was ~3" of a mix of 75% epoxy-coated aquarium gravel and 25% Seachem Flourite Red. Over a period of a few days, I talked myself into completely replacing my substrate and the more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that I preferred the COLOR of her substrate too (Eco Complete is black). I also figured since I was doing something that drastic, I should try to settle on a decorative arrangement once and for all, so I started reading articles on aquascaping. I ended up going with 60lbs of Eco Complete, 30lbs of Seachem Flourite Black, and a central focal point for my aquascaping. These are poor pictures but they will give a general sense until I have time to get out the good camera and take some. The first picture is a full view and the other 3 are close-ups, taken from left to right.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jul 3, 2011 11:56:32 GMT -5
I have always liked a more darker substrate too; however I have had good results (as well as more economy) by using mostly natural or epoxy gravels/substrates with the specialty plants substrates (Flourite, Laterite, Azoo, homemade, etc.) only around plant roots. I then replenish these substrates around the roots on a monthly to bi monthly basis. Anyway; LOOKING GOOD! Carl
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jul 3, 2011 14:55:09 GMT -5
Looks very nice! One of these days I want to redo the gravel in my 10 gallon. It's been in there for 5 years and is blue. And the color is starting to come off some of them. But with all the shrimp in there it's not going to be easy!
|
|
|
Post by parker002 on Jul 3, 2011 19:48:34 GMT -5
I have always liked a more darker substrate too; however I have had good results (as well as more economy) by using mostly natural or epoxy gravels/substrates with the specialty plants substrates (Flourite, Laterite, Azoo, homemade, etc.) only around plant roots. I then replenish these substrates around the roots on a monthly to bi monthly basis. Anyway; LOOKING GOOD! Carl Yeah, I didn't want that kind of maintenance. It was expensive but well worth it.
|
|
|
Post by goldenpuon on Jul 5, 2011 21:56:38 GMT -5
Looks very nice. I really like the dark gravel as well. In the two gallons gallons I kept my goldfish in before I upgraded, I used to have pink gravel in one tank and blue in the other. I got rid of it after many years. Now all my tanks are bare-bottom. I must say I miss the natural feel gravel adds to an aquarium (though pink and blue are not exactly good natural colors ) but I like how it is easier to spot mulm in a tank with no gravel.
|
|
|
Post by parker002 on Jul 7, 2011 5:47:02 GMT -5
If only I could keep the hairgrass planted. I'm about ready to give up on it...
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jul 13, 2011 20:32:25 GMT -5
I still think you have one of the coolest pieces of wood I've ever seen in a fish tank, parker002. I love that thing!
|
|
|
Post by parker002 on Jul 18, 2011 22:25:14 GMT -5
It's actually like 5 or 6 pieces. I spent alot of time trying to get them to all fit together, it was a constant source of frustration and hours upon hours of failure to get the exact "look" I wanted.
This time I just kind of dropped them in and they all just pretty much stuck together naturally. Kind of like fate or something.
I did give up on the hairgrass (the Siamese and corys were uprooting them at night I found out) in favor of some more crypts - I had 6 more in another tank. We're now up to 19 crypts from a single $3 plant. And my aponogeton is blooming again. I've got 3 actual plants and the tallest one with blooms will soon have 3 more viable plants on it.
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jul 19, 2011 20:41:11 GMT -5
Sorry the hairgrass didn't work out. I didn't have much luck with it either. I tried a different kind than you did, I think. As I've said before, I've spent more $$ experimenting with plants than I've spent on fish! I'm going to have to look into the aponogeton plants. They're so pretty, and you've had such good luck with yours!
|
|