So I tested out 3 different sets of wood, modified and trimmed them to suit the idea and then chose the best.
I will go with the main theme piece shown in the lats pic, but I added a couple more branches and trimmed a little bit more.
This tank will incorporate 2 ideas I've had for sometime and tanks: One is the non CO2 ADA 60p tank with the moss and emergent growth. The other will be a very junglely approach with mosses, liverworts and Buces covering the branches.
This will be contrasted nicely with a sloped lawn of Gloss which should do well under the branches since I have a wide spread of light and the various angles will still hit the Gloss even if the branch is blocking it directly above.
I took my Reef 70 Gallon glass tank which is in storage, and is the same size a mock scale and came up with the best sets of additional pieces to add.
Always nice when you have a tank available to scale and make sure you are happy with it prior.
I also trimmed down the wood I have planned for the 120 more. This is done for a couple of reasons:
1. I can always add faux branches to any shortened branches on the main piece.
2. The exposed part of the wood is the critical part, NOT the tips so much for this design.
Contrasted to to this tank:
1. The 70 Gallon Buce tank, the tips of the driftwood are critical
2. So is the base
3. A large % of the wood is substrate for the Buce's
Nice thing is I know both tanks will thrive well and the filters, sediment and plants are all healthy and the transitions will be pretty good.
Main thing is to get all the hardscape stuff in good order and decided upon 1st.
Then.................after it's prepped and well soaked, start tying the Buce's and moss/liverworts.
I have some good sized Needle leaf java fern which I will add inside the thicket of branches. I may or may not keep the Fern there. I have to see how it looks with the other Buce's species.
I have plenty of opportunity to grow them out of the water. I'll use mostly Xmas moss to grow the plants above the water line as a "sediment". They do well like this.
I have some Bolbitus and some Maiden Hair fern I'll be adding to this above the water line.
I might try some mangroves(Not the red's, white/blacks etc) also and other emergent aquatic trees.
The tank mixes many things I enjoy:
1. Buces
2. Emergent growth
3. Nice carpet lawn
4. Nice wood
5. Junglely feel
6. Hides the equipment
7. Low light/lower maintenance
8. White anubias
The white anubias will be used on the wood or around some of the bases of the wood as accent.
Buces and white anubias are challenges to use well in scapes.