50br beware both blurry AND horrid!!

[JMLenke]

more crypts then I know what I have

Pygmy chain swords
small bits of HC
Anubias nana
narrow leaf Java fern
Java moss
Mayaca
Rotala pink
Bacopa Carolina
a val I got from Mark which seems to be the same as the slow growing Val from the meeting
not sure what else I am missing

on to the critiquing!

I am looking for another good size piece of driftwood to add to the tank other then that, I am dreading what I get told about my "attempt" to scape.

what I want to try to do if I can is get more C. Parva for the front, I think the parva and pygmy chain might compliment each other with the HC adding a bit to the mix.

[Spine]

Hey Jeff,
Your hardscape and planting look good to me. Since I'm nothing but a recovering melter I'd wait to hear from some of the more experienced members.

[JMLenke]

the more I look at the picture, the more I think that the driftwood is either totally out of place in the tank or needs to be moved off center.

[Ben Belton]

What is your substrate?

[Aaron]

The driftwood definitely stands out. You need to either add more driftwood or take it out as the rest looks like a rock scape.

The rocks - how far from the back of the tank are they? I think you have a little too much foreground area and might want to bring them forward 2-3 inches at least.

Other than those little quirks I think it's a pretty good start.

[JMLenke]

What is your substrate?

mineralized soil with t grade on top.

The driftwood definitely stands out. You need to either add more driftwood or take it out as the rest looks like a rock scape.

The rocks - how far from the back of the tank are they? I think you have a little too much foreground area and might want to bring them forward 2-3 inches at least.

Other than those little quirks I think it's a pretty good start.

they are mid to 2/3 from the front, it looked good when I put them in but I have noticed it more as I look at it that they are far enough back that the giant empty area distracts. Plantwise, I think I need to move some around as the larger leaves of the crypts stand out.

Thanks for the input so far, anyone else want to try to help me actually learn to scape?

[SCMurphy]

Give it a chance to grow in a bit, let it take root. Then we'll have a better idea what you were shooting for with the scape. Right now it's a nice bit of rock work with scraggly plants. It will look much better in a couple weeks. This is not one of those 'instant gratification' hobbies.

[JMLenke]

I have figured that out after paying a lot more attention and looking at what has been posted here and on APC.

Should I leave be for now and see what the tank looks like in a few weeks when the plants settle in and begin growing before moving anything around?

[sherrymitchell]

Nice Rocks!