Ideas for a new layout?

[Shootamonkey2]

Hi all, I was thinking about re-doing my fish tank because my current layout is getting a little boring and tiring always having to panic and search for fishes when I can't see them in the house.

Does anyone have an idea of what I can do? My current layout is 2 large plants and a smaller one on the left side of the tank. The house is a WWII sunken carrier (you can find it on Petco.com) on the right. Ask for pictures if needed.

I was thinking of a cool idea like... A big house and small plants around... Or if you have any ideas for a cheap price please tell me!

[vita1989]

houses IME i've found to be somewhat of death traps, why not get some slate or a stackable rock and make a few little caves? could you post a pic to give more of a visual?

[Cliff]

Check out the section of the forum for tank journals ( link below ). You can check out pics of what other members have done and find something that you like or ideas for your tank.

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[HeatherH]

I always liked it when people did the open front/middle tank space and plants on the edges and back round for them to hide in and what not.

I agree on the little fish tank houses. I had a betta get lodged in my sandstone castle ornament,in a window opening and he died.

Had a betta get his dorsal fin tangled in roots in one of those silly peace lily vase setups solely for betta fish,and he couldn't get up to gulp air and he died much to my dismay.

Got to be soooo careful.

[Shootamonkey2]

houses IME i've found to be somewhat of death traps, why not get some slate or a stackable rock and make a few little caves? could you post a pic to give more of a visual?

Yeah sure heres a picture.

[Cristoff]

Here are a couple of shots of my main tank. I have found that breaking up the decorations (driftwood, rocks, ect) with small plants in front and around them helps create a more natural look. See pic 2 for a close up of what I mean with the driftwood.

I agree on the resin decorations being potential deathtraps. They can look good, but can have sharp edges or spots that fish can't turn around properly and get stuck.

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[HeatherH]

Cristoff that is a jaw dropping beautifully set up tank.

Very very nice.

Is that a cherry wood finish? Man to my eyes that makes tanks look fabulous.

[Cristoff]

Thanks Heather!

I actually bought the stand unfinished and did it myself. thumbs2:

It is Minwax "Bombay Mahogany"

I did a journal on it a while back, but it seemed to fade away quickly...

[HeatherH]

Thanks Heather!

I actually bought the stand unfinished and did it myself. thumbs2:

It is Minwax "Bombay Mahogany"

I did a journal on it a while back, but it seemed to fade away quickly...

I'm even more impressed now. :22:

You have a similar tank to my 16g,with the black silicone seals. I think that looks so much more impressive than all of my clear ones.

I'm jealous. :hmm3grin2orange:

[Cristoff]

Monkey:

If you want to keep the ship, my recommendation would be to move the tall plants back to the back corners, get 1-2 mid sized plants to go in the back between the tall ones, and get some small ones to place around the front of the ship. It would add "depth' to the tank, which from what you are saying is the element that seems to be missing.


Heather:

Thanks for the compliments!:hmm3grin2orange:

The wall that it is on is 13' long so the plan is to get a second identical 135 gallon tank and place it side by side with the same base, black background, and black substrate. Then I'll have a "faux" 12' tank at about 1/10th the price of a custom setup.

[Cristoff]

Also I would HIGHLY recommend getting a background for the tank - that one is just a personal thing of mine....

Any background would help the look, but I have been in love with just the standard black background ever sinse I painted the 135.

[burntfish]

Monkey what kind of fish do you have now or plan on getting. I think finding some nice rock and building it up would look nice and then put your taller plants to the back with some smaller ones filling in.

[Shootamonkey2]

[QUOTE=Cristoff]Monkey:
It would add "depth' to the tank, which from what you are saying is the element that seems to be missing.

Oh shucks, I just threw away my small plants a couple months ago. I'm thinking about trading the ship in for some rocks. Design ideas for that??

[Shootamonkey2]

Also I would HIGHLY recommend getting a background for the tank - that one is just a personal thing of mine....

Any background would help the look, but I have been in love with just the standard black background ever sinse I painted the 135.

What do you mean by a black background?

[burntfish]

you can go to the LFS and get a background that you stick on the back or you can paint the back of the tank black, blue or whatever you like.

[Cristoff]

Yep, Burntfish has got it right. By painting (which is what I personally do) or buying a background at your LFS (the stuff is pretty cheap for the smaller tank sizes) you can add an extra little "finishing touch" to the tank.

It also will make your power cords and filter equipment unnoticeable whis is the MAIN reason I do it. I hate seeing power cords, filter hoses, and especially MY WALL through the tank. The only exception would be if I had a tank that was specifically ment to be seen from all angles, i.e one set up as a room divider.

[Shootamonkey2]

Oh, well when I look into the tank from the side I cannot see the back so I'm sure the fish can't see the filter too.

[Cristoff]

It's not for the FISH silly :hmm3grin2orange:

I just can't stand seeing the cords and such behind the tank. Personal thing, I doubt my fish care at all. I'm pretty sure they don't even understand the theory of electricity unless something goes horribly wrong...:hmm3grin2orange:

[Shootamonkey2]

It's not for the FISH silly :hmm3grin2orange:

I just can't stand seeing the cords and such behind the tank. Personal thing, I doubt my fish care at all. I'm pretty sure they don't even understand the theory of electricity unless something goes horribly wrong...:hmm3grin2orange:

Ha yeah... I would know... (Tried to unplug my old game console and shocked the living hell out of myself)

[HeatherB]

Adding a few more plants would help with your depth-

Did you think of maybe sealing off the ship, with silicone or something- or with screening siliconed to the inside? That way you could keep it in (if you really like it) and no fish would be able to get in- however if you did the screen idea- you would still get water flow around it!

[Shootamonkey2]

Adding a few more plants would help with your depth-

Did you think of maybe sealing off the ship, with silicone or something- or with screening siliconed to the inside? That way you could keep it in (if you really like it) and no fish would be able to get in- however if you did the screen idea- you would still get water flow around it!

Nah, I'd rather just trade the house for I guess a couple rocks to make a cave or something.