What do y'all think of this idea?

[LizStreithorst]

I'm thinking of putting a 240 gallon tank in a wall between two rooms. The dimentions of the tank are 72" long X30" wide X25" tall. My thought was to plant tall plants in the middle with just sand in the foreground from either of the viewing rooms. I'm thinking of Angels and BIG Discus with a large school of smaller fish (maybe Cardinals) plus some Bristlenose and Cory Cats. I'd like to hear some advice from someone who has done something similar.

[Dissident]

I have though of how to aquascape something like that quite a few times.

You have a lot of room to work with, thats the key, the whole front-back area in a tank like that.

There were 3 types I would consider for that.

Divider:
The first you already mentioned, a wall of tall plants in the middle. This will have the least amount of swimming area since you have to plant mid-ground plants on either side of the tall plant divider.

But with a tank that size I might break it up a bit:

Island aquasacpe:
Two seperate islands of mid-tall with substrate/foreground plants seperateing them. Lots of swimming room except where the islands are.

The hill-side:
Tall plants build up around rocks/driftwood on one far side of the tank, with slopeing down 3/4 of the length of the tank untill you just have for-ground plants. Lots of swimming area except one side of the tank (planted side covering equipment). Also the most amount of trimming and work involved maintaining the aquascape.


I'll link to some examples later.


//*edit
Slopeing (hillside) -link fixed thanx to larry :):):)
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=3&id=98

Island (couldn't find an example of the 2 island I know people have done it)
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=125

[White Worm]

I have though of how to aquascape something like that quite a few times.

You have a lot of room to work with, thats the key, the whole front-back area in a tank like that.

There were 3 types I would consider for that.

Divider:
The first you already mentioned, a wall of tall plants in the middle. This will have the least amount of swimming area since you have to plant mid-ground plants on either side of the tall plant divider.

But with a tank that size I might break it up a bit:

Island aquasacpe:
Two seperate islands of mid-tall with substrate/foreground plants seperateing them. Lots of swimming room except where the islands are.

The hill-side:
Tall plants build up around rocks/driftwood on one far side of the tank, with slopeing down 3/4 of the length of the tank untill you just have for-ground plants. Lots of swimming area except one side of the tank (planted side covering equipment). Also the most amount of trimming and work involved maintaining the aquascape.


I'll link to some examples later.


//*edit
Slopeing (hillside)
http://showcase.quatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=3&id=98

Island (couldn't find an example of the 2 island I know people have done it)
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=125

Diss....All I can say is wow, thanks for the link. Now I can see why you plant geeks enjoy your tanks. I am thinking more and more of moving into the plant world. Time to put some clothes on the Bare Bottom!

[lhforbes12]

I have though of how to aquascape something like that quite a few times.

You have a lot of room to work with, thats the key, the whole front-back area in a tank like that.

There were 3 types I would consider for that.

Divider:
The first you already mentioned, a wall of tall plants in the middle. This will have the least amount of swimming area since you have to plant mid-ground plants on either side of the tall plant divider.

But with a tank that size I might break it up a bit:

Island aquasacpe:
Two seperate islands of mid-tall with substrate/foreground plants seperateing them. Lots of swimming room except where the islands are.

The hill-side:
Tall plants build up around rocks/driftwood on one far side of the tank, with slopeing down 3/4 of the length of the tank untill you just have for-ground plants. Lots of swimming area except one side of the tank (planted side covering equipment). Also the most amount of trimming and work involved maintaining the aquascape.


I'll link to some examples later.


//*edit
Slopeing (hillside)
http://showcase.quatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=3&id=98

Island (couldn't find an example of the 2 island I know people have done it)
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=125

Here is the correct link http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=3&id=98

[Dissident]

Here is the correct link http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=514&op=showcase&category=0&vol=3&id=98

Thanx (I should have checked)




Diss....All I can say is wow, thanks for the link. Now I can see why you plant geeks enjoy your tanks. I am thinking more and more of moving into the plant world. Time to put some clothes on the Bare Bottom!

I'll convert all of you _if_ I can :D

[wolfbane]

Come to the dark side Luke! Oh I mean the planted side!!

[Kindredspirit]

If I ever went 100% plants and had a big tank ~ I absolutely adore this look and all this moss/ground cover ~ I have no idea what kind of fish can go in or how high-tech it is but I love this look with a passion ~ my Dream Tank!


http://www.pbase.com/plantella/interzoo2006


...and itz the 150 Liter - Layout Nr 1- You must be very excited Liz!! I am jealous:(


Marie ~ http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_4_51.gif

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks for the info, Dis. I sure do like the looks of the hillside. I have lots to think about now.

Marie, I'm not excited yet. I usually let an idea rumble around in my head for many months before I tackle it. Besides my current project (a seperate fish room for my breeders) isn't 100% finished. The tanks are up and running but I still have work to do on the WC system.