Dutchy's 2013 scape

[dutchy]

Hi all,

So here's the first pic of my 2013 scape. It's just the first setup and not even close to the final scape, which I want to have ready before the next AGA contest. My goal is to make a new scape once per year to try to improve my skills. The background plants are the same as in the previous scape, but for the rest the most has been changed. The Manzanita is a new batch, which I bought from Tom and has been leaching out for the past two months.

The foreground still has to be planted, this will be Elatine triandra, or Glosso. There's some new Stauro in the tank now but that will probably be removed as soon as the Triandra starts to grow well, since these plants look a lot alike. There's also a group of brown crypts that are still in visible emergent state, that will take some time to develop. I also planted a group of Bacopa caroliniana, which gives a nice contrast whith the background plants and it's neighbour, Ludwigia super red.

I want to cover the arch with mosses, I bought a small amount of Willow moss to see if this wants to grow well.

In about two to three weeks I will finally get a school of red pencils, I think I have been waiting for them for six months.

I hope you will enjoy the topic, feel free to comment.

 

[Yo-han]

Wow, nice! Better than the last in my opinion

 

[Jan db]

I like it a lot. Very nice.

 

[Tom Barr]

This harscape has excellent potential.

The transition between and around the arch is crucial.
Mossy and ferny at the base so you see mostly the bridge across, with some nice bright color behind(eg some nice red and pink rotala etc) will give a very nice effect.
Draws the eye to the region and then back into it.

 

[dutchy]

Thnx guys. Fortunately I have a lot of time with 10 months to go.

 

[jerrybforl]

I like it HJ. Can't wait to see the progress. I fill like I'm being called out to post pics of my tanks lol!

 

[Asmack Arabia]

can I join the AGA contest too? if so, may i know how to join? i will try my luck, if any....

 

[dutchy]

Of course you can, but the next one will be around october 2013. So you have lots of time to create a scape.
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/

@jerrybforl: Thnx Jerry and yes, It would be fun if you also started your aquascaping topic.

 

[Najjklas]

whats the name of the background plant to the right? nice scape!! regards from Sweden..

 

[dutchy]

Hi and thnx.

The plant you mean is Pogestemon erectus.

 

[Aviss]

Very nice tank.
I think that if you will improve the depth of the tank this can be a wonderful scape.
Will you partecipate also to NBAT contest ?

 

[Gerryd]

Hey HJ,

Very nice! I like the way the wood stretches across the tank and the arch is the bomb...

If I may the ET or single species carpet will enhance the look. Too many plant species IMO up front....

Glad to see the fish out and about.....Looking forward to your progress.

 

[krandall]

Of course you can, but the next one will be around october 2013. So you have lots of time to create a scape.
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/

@jerrybforl: Thnx Jerry and yes, It would be fun if you also started your aquascaping topic.

Entries usually start sometime in June, and close in early Sept.

 

[dutchy]

Very nice tank.
I think that if you will improve the depth of the tank this can be a wonderful scape.
Will you partecipate also to NBAT contest ?

Yes, I will, but that will be 2013. The scape still has to change a lot.

 

[dutchy]

Hey HJ,
If I may the ET or single species carpet will enhance the look. Too many plant species IMO up front....

Hi Gerry,

You read my mind. I just changed that yesterday. My plan is just that.

 

[dutchy]

So here's an update.

I decluttered the foreground to make space for the Elatine triandra, which has to be a stretching carpet along the entire length of the tank. Gerry sent me some, but I didn't receive it yet. It seems like the plants won't survive a week in a package. Anyway, I also found a source in Germany, thanks to Gilles. This should work out well.

I also removed the Java fern, which I planted in my 30G non CO2 tank. (Pic in other topic) I planted more Bolbitis and narrowed down 4 different species of crypts to only two. Biggest change was adding moss to the arch, next week I will add some more on other branches. Step by step the scape is getting better.

My red pencils have finally arrived and I can bring them home next week. There will be around 30 of them.

 

[Yo-han]

Wow, looking really nice! And red pencils are one of my favorite fish, wish I had the money for 30 of them

 

[jerrybforl]

I really like the arch with moss on it! I hope you leave the middle area open as it gives the impression that it's going into a distance. I like the cryptos, and they will look nice as they fill in.

I'm so jealous of the downoi you have! :cower:

 

[dutchy]

Thnx guys. I hope to make this my best scape yet. The area under the arch will stay open.
Downoi has always grown very well in my tanks. The NBAT judge called them little cauliflowers I must be doing something right

 

[Tom Barr]

Downoi make a street...........
The darker Bolbitus or similar darker plants in the mid group will help, like to see a nice red background stem plant.

Also, for darker color and texture, Fissidens is a great option, very dark and very fine and goes well with roots.
Contrast very well with Downoi...........

Hygro araguaia might be better for the contrast than the Crypts.

The Hygro will contrast very very well against ET.