Redoing Aquascape

[Hardy85]

So I started my tank on a tight budget and just mainly went with things I found cheap on craigslist etc... well I regret that, for such a huge part of my living room I want my tank perfect

So what I'm thinking (any input would be appreciated) would be replacing the round natural gravel with Black Diamond "sand". I would also remove the large plastic cave and replace it with a large piece of red lava rock and a few pieces of driftwood.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/pet/3432592786.html and http://www.tractorsupply.com/sandbla...50-lb--3905403

The one piece of driftwood I have would need to be cut a bit to fit in the tank differently, and I think I would want to add some low maintenance plants such as java fern.

I think I may start buying supplies slowly and wait up and do it all as a big change. Ideas / Opinions?

[ddavis1979]

Many people would disagree with me, but I am not a fan of black sand.

I think it saps the color away from plants and some fish will disappear against it.

IMO, the fish and the plants look more vivid against the white, or lighter colored sands, and that its also easier to see when mess starts to build up for cleaning.

The lava rock can be very jagged and rough stuff for the barbels of the cory cats and the fins of gourami. I find driftwood and slate are a good match.

I do like your long term stocking goals!

[Hardy85]

Hmmm only reason I was looking at lava rock was some decent stuff around my area for sale. I like ur thought process on sand color... any low price white sand (what about play sand)...

Yea im excited about my stock list. Not sure of it will be gbr or cockatoo cichlid

[Lolita]

If you want white sand, go with pool filter sand. Play sand has to be washed a toooon.

[Hardy85]

I feel like with the small fish I am getting, plus for the cory sake that I kinda have to go with sand. I need to come up with a game plan. Wasn't huge on lava rock since it doesn't provide much in the way of caves etc

[Goes to 11!]

+ 1 to PFS.

_Sand isn't required for corys, IME they can have perfectly healthy barbels on regular aquarium gravel. Some types live in gravel bottom streams in the wild actually.

As far as the sand color goes, Spend a bit of time with google image search to see what you like. You may notice that the lighting [or lack of] can make a difference wrt the substrates impact.

[Lady Hobbs]

I think the black substrate and black background make a tank pop. You want your eyes going to what's inside the tank, not the decorations or background. I also find no reason that everything has to be purchased when you're on a budget. You can take a hike and find some pretty rocks that will work for now and find driftwood on beaches and rivers. It must be hardwoods tho and not pines or firs.