Gerry's 225 Gal hard scape

[Tom Barr]

I plan on using these 2 trees as the main theme. I will make some mid ground rise in the sediments so that these both appear to be on a hill.
I'm thinking dwarf clover in the lowest reaches and around the lower edges, with some Downoi running into some cave sections. Some crypts around some of the trees and then some Starougyne on the hill or Gloss.

Gerry has not seen this yet, so you are seeing it as I think about it.

I will use some burl bases like this to shore up the slope and sediment to make a plateau.

These will be all around the edge of the plateau similar to what is done with rock.
Anubias will crawl over these also.

You will note, all these plants will do quite well at low light.

I'd say Downoi and Gloss are the most sensitive to light , but I've manged well with 25 micro moles with that one, so we are after about 30-35 micromol goal for the lighting.

Fish?

I need to discuss with Gerry, I'm thinking the Chili rasbora. Borasas brigittae.
Ember's tetra also perhaps, a nice red fish. A few plecos.


Amano shrimp, RCS perhaps.

 

[Tom Barr]

These trees are not tall, the tank is low and prostrate.

I could have chosen to make a small scene with smaller trees, I think a nice larger dramatic set of bonsai will make Gerry happier over time.

 

[dutchy]

So Gerry contracted the master to do his tank . Good choice, I wished you'd live closer to me

I think the big manzy makes a nice focal point in that position and makes a good combination with the second smaller one.

Very small fish to combine with plecos don't you think?

30 - 35 micromols? That's somewhere in the twilight zone I think. I get that value with one T5HE of 35 Watts over my 180.

 

[Gerryd]

Gerry has not seen this yet, so you are seeing it as I think about it.

I've seen it now And I like it very much so far!

Tom,

The wood is absolutely beautiful and I like your idea very much.....Those two manzy pieces above are just great and have a lot of character... The larger branch I imagine as a 'weeping' willow and can easily picture the sweeping lower branches over a field of green...The two pieces play off each other well I think.

Tom has already sent over two boxes of really nice wood. Many nice burls and some larger pieces that I think now will NOT be used in the design, but we will see. These all are soaking in rubbermaid containers on my porch. They are leaching in a BIG way right now, but will be much clearer by the time we use them.

I have asked him to utilize plant species I like personally (why not? ) and also to incorporate some elements of the great Northeastern forests where I grew up. Large Oaks, Maples, Elms, and willows! I think he nailed this part!

All,

I asked Tom quite awhile back if he would design a new scape for me and he was kind enough to contract such a small job (to him, not to me!). I had actually planned all along to have Tom (or someone else if he was unavailable, but he was my first choice) design and actually scape my new setup and was part of my original (and private) estimate and plans..I just wanted to keep that to myself for awhile....

There was NO way I was going to purchase such a beautiful setup and then scape it myself...sorry for stringing you all along on that part. It is too nice a setup to 'learn' on IMO...To me, it was like buying an unpainted Ferarri and painting it myself lol I could do maybe an 'adequate' job but why not have a real painter/professional/artist do it? Again, this is a long time setup and is my dream....so why not?

I expect to absolutely be a sponge for when Tom is here and hope not to drive him crazy with questions like a child, but I guess/hope he figures that into his rates I think I will learn a lot simply by observing so am really excited about his visit. He will do a weekend here in FL.

We will NOT do a DSM and Tom will scape it 'dry'. I really did think I would do a DSM and was looking forward to it a bit, but I can do with a newer smaller tank later...I need to ensure I have enough of the plants we need here on site. I assume Tom will provide any stauro! I will use Henry to source any plants I need and he gets from FAN I believe...So I should get good quality all around.

I will ensure the filter and lights are all /setupready/tested for his visit even if the tank is drained. I should do this next week.

More to come I am sure.

 

[Gerryd]

So Gerry contracted the master to do his tank . Good choice, I wished you'd live closer to me

I think the big manzy makes a nice focal point in that position and makes a good combination with the second smaller one.

Very small fish to combine with plecos don't you think?

30 - 35 micromols? That's somewhere in the twilight zone I think. I get that value with one T5HE of 35 Watts over my 180.

Hi dutchy,

Do you blame me for outsourcing the job? I kept it in the US and am stimulating the economy as well....

I also am a bit concerned about the fish size as I was thinking larger species with the tank size..

I am fine with the lower light and was part of my lower maintenance goal. Tom is aware of my desire for a simpler and easy to maintain scape so slower growth is fine for me..I love Anubias, ferns, and mosses anyway so is all good. They are all reminiscent of terrestial species found in the local woods when I was young. So all is good!

 

[dutchy]

Hi Gerry,

Well made decision about contracting Tom. I'm sure this will show itself in the result.

Think about Willow moss and needle leaf Java fern. Both very pretty.

 

[feh]

Nice layout...

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Gerry,

Well made decision about contracting Tom. I'm sure this will show itself in the result.

Think about Willow moss and needle leaf Java fern. Both very pretty.

Thanks! I think it is one of the biggest as well! Neede leaf is already on the menu! I will get some mosses as well in case we want to use a bit...

 

[Tom Barr]

So Gerry contracted the master to do his tank . Good choice, I wished you'd live closer to me

I think the big manzy makes a nice focal point in that position and makes a good combination with the second smaller one.

Very small fish to combine with plecos don't you think?

30 - 35 micromols? That's somewhere in the twilight zone I think. I get that value with one T5HE of 35 Watts over my 180.

The plecos are also small and cryptic.
So they do not make the scape appear smaller. The fine tips of the manzy going from large bases also represents a false size perspective.
The burl bases around the trees also give texture to the flat 1x2 meter sediment and prostrate tree forms.

I'm actually redoing my 120 gal similar, but without the trees look.

 

[Gerryd]

Plant List

Hi all,

After some back and forth with Tom, I think I need the following plants and quantities...

Tom, please advise yea or nay on species and quantities Henry, pay attention here, FAN site shows none of these as 'unavailable'..I will send an official order e-mail later when the species/qty are confirmed..

Here goes:

Anubias barteri var. 'coffeefolia' x 8

Anubias barteri var. nana 'petite' x 50

Barclaya Longifolia (red form) x 8

Cryptocoryne wendti 'Mi Oya' (red) x 16

Marsilea hirsuta or quadrifolia x A LOT Tom can we estimate square inches needed or something?

Microsorum pteropus var 'windelov' x 30

Pogostemon helferi (downoi) x 60

Staurogyne repens 049 x a lot and supplied by Tom...

I will use Henry to source the other plants if they are available....

That is really about it. I have some narrow and trident java around if Tom needs it...

 

[Gerryd]

I could have chosen to make a small scene with smaller trees, I think a nice larger dramatic set of bonsai will make Gerry happier over time.

Hi Tom,

I am still very much in like with the smaller and more numerous trees idea. You have tons of wood here....

I do think I will prefer the larger pieces as I am very drawn to hardscape in general and those pieces above are wonderful....

Either way I think it will come out looking great............

 

[Tom Barr]

It'll be tougher over time to maintain such a smaller scene
It can look confused without good routine care.

That's a typical problem.

If you wanna........but .........

 

[Gerryd]

Tom,

No, I want the larger pieces and this newer scape.....

I just had liked the original idea was all...

 

[Tom Barr]

Tom,

No, I want the larger pieces and this newer scape.....

I just had liked the original idea was all...

Given the layout of the tank and the 360 View around it, the tree idea is nice.but I think it'd be tougher to pull off.

A nice mountain style ridge and two trees on that hill will give a better look I think.

 

[jerrybforl]

Gerry those two pieces are amazing! Your tank is going to look spectacular...Can't wait to see it.

 

[Jim Miller]

Gerry

You're definitely spoiling yourself.

;-)

Jim

 

[ghostsword]

Sounds like a great scape!

Nice pieces of wood.

Isn't barclaya a plant that likes a lot of light?


---
- .

 

[Tom Barr]

Sounds like a great scape!

Nice pieces of wood.

Isn't barclaya a plant that likes a lot of light?


---
- .

No, it stays nice a red in lower light tanks like my old 60 Cubes.

 

[Tom Barr]

Sounds like a great scape!

Nice pieces of wood.

Isn't barclaya a plant that likes a lot of light?


---
- .

No, it stays nice a red in lower light tanks like my old 60 Cubes.

 

[Gerryd]

Gerry those two pieces are amazing! Your tank is going to look spectacular...Can't wait to see it.

Hi JJ,

I agree about the manzy! I think it will indeed look very nice when done and ongoing...I can't wait either lol

You will see it soon......
Thanks!