Creative ideas how to utilize this decoration?

[kaleen]

Picture attached. It’s already in the tank and has been since Christmas. Sorry about the cloudy fish tank I just did a big clean up of the tank and the gunk is still being filtered out.

It was a gift from my grandma and it was very expensive (to me at least). The plants on it are fake but the rest of the plants in the tank are real. The piece is from PetSmart. I’m looking to stock some angelfish and guppies soon and am in the process of moving my current fish to a different tank except the cories. I’m gonna get a bunch more plants and start co2.

The decoration was in the dead center of the tank with the java fern placed behind it, but today I moved it back to the wall and moved the java fern to the side to make it look more spacious in there. I think it looks better but I’m still not digging it completely. I wanted to go for an all natural look but this decoration was a gift and I don’t want it to go to waste considering its such a nice piece and it was very expensive.

So I’m looking for creative ideas on how to make the tank look nicer overall and how I can utilize the piece to make it look more natural. Any ideas welcome

 

[Skrabbitskrabbit]

I would move it a few inches left so it’s not centered and maybe move the smaller decoration a very little in the same direction. When aquascaping (and visual arts and design in general) most recommend using the rule of thirds when deciding where to put focal points. I like the big piece towards the back also.

edit to add: I like the Java ferns but would love to see a bit more. Are the plants real or silk?

 

[Ghostly]

I have the same cave in my betta tank! (the one in the corner)

 

[kaleen]

I would move it a few inches left so it’s not centered and maybe move the smaller decoration a very little in the same direction. When aquascaping (and visual arts and design in general) most recommend using the rule of thirds when deciding where to put focal points. I like it towards the back also.

Thanks! I was also maybe thinking of getting rid of the little decoration altogether and filling that up with plants and maybe more driftwood.

I have the same cave in my betta tank! (the one in the corner)

Haha dang your tank must be big then!

I would move it a few inches left so it’s not centered and maybe move the smaller decoration a very little in the same direction. When aquascaping (and visual arts and design in general) most recommend using the rule of thirds when deciding where to put focal points. I like the big piece towards the back also.

edit to add: I like the Java ferns but would love to see a bit more. Are the plants real or silk?

The plants are real except for the ones on the big decoration in the middle. I’m planning on getting more java fern and anubius soon. I also have a bunch of little java ferns from my other plants planted in the substrate although they’re hard to see because they’re so tiny

 

[Skrabbitskrabbit]

Thanks! I was also maybe thinking of getting rid of the little decoration altogether and filling that up with plants and maybe more driftwood.

Haha dang your tank must be big then!

The plants are real except for the ones on the big decoration in the middle. I’m planning on getting more java fern and anubius soon. I also have a bunch of little java ferns from my other plants planted in the substrate although they’re hard to see because they’re so tiny

Oh cool! Driftwood would be a good addition and I’m sure the baby Java ferns will fill in nice. Maybe some tall grassy val-type plant for the very back

 

[kaleen]

Oh cool! Driftwood would be a good addition and I’m sure the baby Java ferns will fill in nice. Maybe some tall grassy val-type plant for the very back

Also planning on getting some vallisneria! I’m waiting and saving up to buy a bunch of plants and also am gonna get my co2 installed very soon once I get a diffuser

 

[BigManAquatics]

I would probably move the big piece almost all the way to o e end of the tank, leave the small cave where it is and maybe a couple smaller pieces of driftwood in the center, but towards the front of the tank, with some plants filling the gap in the back.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

Tie some anubias to some driftwood?

 

[DoraCory]

I'm not a huge plastic plant fan, but that decoration is really cool.

Also, is the Anubias on the left in the substrate?

If so, it would be best to move them so the rhizome doesn't rot. They're better off attached to a rock or some wood.

 

[kaleen]

I would probably move the big piece almost all the way to o e end of the tank, leave the small cave where it is and maybe a couple smaller pieces of driftwood in the center, but towards the front of the tank, with some plants filling the gap in the back.

Should I angle the piece or just move it over and have it still up against the the back wall?

 

[BigManAquatics]

Should I angle the piece or just move it over and have it still up against the the back wall?

I would angle it a bit myself. I love things angled!

 

[member133559]

I find the piece not bad at all. You could clip off the fake plants and try your hand at attaching real plants to it. Overgrow it with moss. So many options. Also, grandma wants to see it inside that tank when she comes visiting, doesn't she?

 

[kaleen]

I would angle it a bit myself. I love things angled!

I moved it over to the side and angled it as much as I could but its so long it can only go a few inches haha. I also moved the little decoration over a bit and put the driftwood and anubius in the middle. What do you think?

 

[Dedife]

That looks very nice! Good job!

 

[Skrabbitskrabbit]

I moved it over to the side and angled it as much as I could but its so long it can only go a few inches haha. I also moved the little decoration over a bit and put the driftwood and anubius in the middle. What do you think?

I think it’s great. If you put the new plants (when you get them) on the back and sides it will be even better.
It may be personal preference but I usually try to push the bigger decorations down into the substrate a little bit so it looks like they’ve been there a while

 

[Broggy]

I like it

 

[Sofiafish17]

Oh I love it! Also, you could maybe try some live plants at that are a color other than green, like Ludwigia Repens for a bit of contrast.

 

[kaleen]

I think it’s great. If you put the new plants (when you get them) on the back and sides it will be even better.
It may be personal preference but I usually try to push the bigger decorations down into the substrate a little bit so it looks like they’ve been there a while

Definitely will do that, moving it was just a spur of the moment decision while I was bored and had a second haha. I'll definitely move it down into the substrate tomorrow. Thanks!

Oh I love it! Also, you could maybe try some live plants at that are a color other than green, like Ludwigia Repens for a bit of contrast.

Definitely planning on it!