12 replies to this topic

[Androo]

This may not get much activity, however i would love to see your alternative tank designs. Im not talking about your natural vs fake, im talking about some crazy idea/picture you had in your head, tell us about if it worked well, looked as good as the picture in your head. Below is one i did a few years ago, precursor to my current profile pic. Black rocks with white slate. I loved this tank design, even after time it remained reletivly clean and different. Downfall was the lack of hiding for my large range of cichlids (size and sp.)  FB_IMG_1462788229445.jpg   46.4KB   11 downloads

[Westie]

I had this "awesome idea" about building large mountains with limestone to create a hill type scape. When the tank was empty, it looked ok. Once I filled it with water, I didnt like the look of it. The more I moved the rocks around, the less I liked it. I ended up removing the rocks and replacing with plastic ornaments. That was even worse. Glad I didnt take any photos though.  

[malawiman85]

Not too crazy but certainly a bit different.
I wanted to creat a solid stone substrate. Didnt work because I didnt have enough stone and didnt put the effort in but I am convinced that it would look a million bucks with a bit of effort.
I used schist "stepping stones" from bunnings. Way cheaper at fish and lily farms.

Edited by malawiman85, 09 May 2016 - 08:19 PM.

[Androo]

Yea i bought enough slate to fully cover the base, me and tge landscaper even drew a 6 x2 rectangle on the ground and laid it all out to fit, but i realised that there wasnt enough contrast to get the effect i wanted. But that place looks great mm

[malawiman85]

The effect would be brilliant in a rift lake display. Some algae growing on it would be good for the algae munchers too.

[Chopstick_mike]

Yea i bought enough slate to fully cover the base, me and tge landscaper even drew a 6 x2 rectangle on the ground and laid it all out to fit, but i realised that there wasnt enough contrast to get the effect i wanted. But that place looks great mm

would love to see a pic of it if you haveone

[Androo]

The one above is what i did. The amount of slate was more than i wanted, so i didnt use it all. 3 or 4 big slabs along is all i placed in there

[Jules]

Hanging driftwood from the above tank cross braces with zip ties to create that sweeping submerged branch from above trees.

will try find a pic, did it on my 7ft tank with a small piece looked ok but was far to small for the idea I had.

[Voodoo]

similar to what Jules was saying with the gnarly wood attached to the bracing

 

im also trying something similar in another tank but attaching anubius to the wood as well

Attached Files

•  IMAG0282.jpg   66.57KB   9 downloads

[Jules]

yeah im talking more grape vine / extravagant root ball / mangrove roots with nothing touching the bottom or glass though, as if a trees branches a lightly hanging into the water.

google images cant even replicate what im thinking - but kind of like this.

 

Edited by Jules, 10 May 2016 - 09:17 AM.

[hollis]

I have always experimented with backgrounds over the years and my current one is something a little different

 

 

 

[Androo]

Wow that is differemt. Is it on the inside or outside?

[hollis]

On the outside, just slid between wall and rear glass. Makes it very easy to change