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RE: What makes a fabulous tank?
> From: "Roger S. Miller" <rgrmill at rt66_com>
> What are the characteristics (say 5 or 6 characteristics) that make a
> planted aquascape stand out - the characteristics that
> together would take
> it beyond pretty and right into downright breathtaking?
I'm usually just lurking but, I can't resist a subjective question. It is a
rare treat to not be able to be wrong:-) I asked myself these same questions
when I started into plant tanks.
I am kind of a traditionalist when it comes to a plant tank. I like:
-big tanks (people rarely gasp at the site of a small tank, size improves
impact)
-a lot of plants, several colors (I am leaning toward less variety lately,
I'm still trying to get over the "collector" mentality)
-a lot of fish (I like fish, they add the personality)
-large driftwood (don't ask me, I just like it)
-3 sided framing in plants that only affords a view from the front. (I
think the fish are more comfortable when they have some privacy.)
-a central viewing area to see any fish that don't care to disappear into
the backdrop
In my mind, that is how I picture a setting in water, despite it being
completely unnatural. I don't think I'd like a "natural" setting.
> I think there has to be visibility - you have to be able to
> see what's in
> the tank. If the tank is choked with growth then there's not
> that much to
> see.
Until I give up keeping stem plants, this is more a question of did I just
prune, or am I about to". I can't bring myself to prune more often than
every 2 weeks, so I accept the cycle of thin to dense foliage as part of the
beauty of a tank. You get to watch the stuff grow again after you ruthlessly
cut it back.
Jon Wilson
http://www.knology.net/~jwilson/plants.htm
(Big Dupla fan willing to pay reasonable fees for ship some to me in USA)