20long Build - brainstorming how to compromise on style

So,I got permission with tax money to set up a 20 long for breeding apistogramma cacatuoides! Super stoked. But there's a dilemma. Hubby has been watching aaalllll da youtube aquascaping videos. That's a big part of why he said yes to the new tank. He wants to help with the design. ok, cool, hes getting interested in my hobby, I like that, I get a new tank and less eye rolls over the budget. Lol But we have very different taste. So I either have to figure put a way to compromise on the design ooor convince him to make a trade. He gets complete control over redoing the 10 gallon betta tank, I get to do the 20? Lol He does really love bettas. I'm on the look out for a yellow and black or red and black, or a pure red crown tail. Anyways, what he wants our new 20 gallon long species only apistogramma breeding tank to look like, is something like this:






" With a few extra hiding spots for them added in" He described it as, "the earth shifted, rocks all angled, clean and simple, easy to see the fish all the time". Those are very pretty but, my style is different and I also feel like it doesn't suit the goal of the tank. I want it to be more of a loose biotope type tank. Something more like these:







(None of these are my photos just to be clear, just did a google search)

I like lots of twisty roots, black water, leaf litter, sand, etc...

This is my current 29g. Been treating for ich so the water is light and weird colored, usually it's more weak tea colored.

 

Excuse the mess that is my room, but this is my 20 long. I use it for breeding sterbaI and am working on getting my Rasboras to spawn. It’s also got a pair of Bolivian rams in there.
I had an issue getting my parents to allow a 17th tank (my poor parents), so a comprise of style was needed. I’d definitely recommend a setup like this for dwarf cichlid for a 20 long, as they have phases of hiding and wanting to swim in the open (as you may know). The plant cover’s basic plants, such as java fern, Anubias and some jungle Val.
I wouldn’t do a scape that has a large open space, as apistos sometimes need to escape aggression. I’d definitely recommend getting some terra cotta flower pots in there, but if you’re going for looks, you need to be careful about where you put the pots. Flower pots are essential to keeping most cichlids, as they’re a great place to lay eggs and hide.
Keep in mind that apistos prefer to spawn in tight spaces, but also make sure that it’s not too tight for the male to fit into. I used to breed my apistos and absolutely loved it, but I learned that sand is the superior substrate for raising apistos, as the fry can slip into the gravel and die after getting stuck.

 

you're right, he's wrong, he should do what you say.

 

It sounds like he needs his own tank.

 

I don't see apistos spawning readily in the type of tank he's looking to build. They'd definitely benefit from something more along the lines of your plans.

 

I would do as you suggested let him redo the betta tank. An easy way for him to get more in the hobby.
Then you get the apistos tank. Plus his idea would match your goal for the apistos tank.

 

Both looks nice but I like yours better...and I'm a complete newbie!

 

Because your purpose is breeding and not aesthetics, i'd say yours is more suited for that. Giving him the 10 gallon to scape sounds like a good compromise.