How can I improve this aquascape?

[Dreak]

First tank I’ve aquascaped I have 2 large peices of driftwood and a bunch of small medium size peices and some rocks.
Let me know how you would change things in this tank

(ignore the heater and filter in the front it’s temporary)

 

[ruud]

Apart from hiding technology? (do you really need 4 therometers in a tank? a drop checker, for what reason?)

Aquascapes that make use of one type of stone only and one type of wood look much better in my opinion.

Another big piece of driftwood, a bit similar to the one on the left, placed on the right or center of the tank, would have my preference.

Tanks with a strong canopy, blocking the light, ....if this is preferred, which is very fine and natural looking, then I prefer a light sand substrate, perhaps mixed with dead/dry leaves. In combination with the natural shades created by the canopy, makes the tank more natural and a little lighter at substrate level thanks to the light sand.

Smaller tanks, in general, look better with small leaved plants. Hemianthus micranthemoides and Heteranthera zosterifolia are my go-to, low maintenance bulk species.

 

[FishDin]

Check your parameters. Looks looks something or someone has died in there...

I second the suggestion for a light colored substrate.

 

[Dreak]

Are

Check your parameters. Looks looks something or someone has died in there...

I second the suggestion for a light colored substrate.

Are you talking about the color of the water when you say it looks like somthing died? The driftwood put out a lot of tannis in my water but I haven’t had any deaths in my tank

Check your parameters. Looks looks something or someone has died in there...

I second the suggestion for a light colored substrate.

I would love to change the substrate but it’s dirt with a layer of black diamond sand and eco stratum sand so it would be a huge hassle to take all that out

Apart from hiding technology? (do you really need 4 therometers in a tank? a drop checker, for what reason?)

Aquascapes that make use of one type of stone only and one type of wood look much better in my opinion.

Another big piece of driftwood, a bit similar to the one on the left, placed on the right or center of the tank, would have my preference.

Tanks with a strong canopy, blocking the light, ....if this is preferred, which is very fine and natural looking, then I prefer a light sand substrate, perhaps mixed with dead/dry leaves. In combination with the natural shades created by the canopy, makes the tank more natural and a little lighter at substrate level thanks to the light sand.

Smaller tanks, in general, look better with small leaved plants. Hemianthus micranthemoides and Heteranthera zosterifolia are my go-to, low maintenance bulk species.

4 themomaters is because I read really bad reviews on the heater I got and I was super paranoid. The drop checker is for my c02. I can’t take the substrate out but do you think a lighter substrate would look better just on top of my substrate I have? And where can I find the leaves you’re talking about I’ve seen them before but not sure where to get them. Thank you for the advice though I appreciate it.

 

[Rye1]

I'm brand new to the forum, but I've heard of people using Indian Almond leaves or Catappa leaves. You can get them from any big box pet store like petco or order them off Amazon. They can put a lot of tannins into the water though, so idk if you'll want them.

 

[ruud]

Most tanks don't require a heater to begin with. Depends on room temperature

Nah, i wouldnt add a top layer of sand if you've never done this before.

You can buy leaves if you live in the arctics or desert. Otherwise, find an oak leaf and collect brown leaves that have fallen off. They are the same as Almond, but differently shaped. If you dont appreciate the shape of a leaf, simple cut or crush the leaf in pieces.

 

[FishDin]

Sorry Dreak, that was my attempt at humor...I was referring to the human skeleton.

On a serious note, to relieve anxiety about a heater malfunctioning and cooking your tank, you can use a temperature controller like those made by Inkbird. The controller will shut the heatyer off at a temperture of your choosing. The Inkbird 306T is the one made for aquariums. Also, many heaters now come with their own controllers, but I prefer the Inkbird approach, so if the heater fails I don't have to replace the controler as well.

 

[Dreak]

Apart from hiding technology? (do you really need 4 therometers in a tank? a drop checker, for what reason?)

Aquascapes that make use of one type of stone only and one type of wood look much better in my opinion.

Another big piece of driftwood, a bit similar to the one on the left, placed on the right or center of the tank, would have my preference.

Tanks with a strong canopy, blocking the light, ....if this is preferred, which is very fine and natural looking, then I prefer a light sand substrate, perhaps mixed with dead/dry leaves. In combination with the natural shades created by the canopy, makes the tank more natural and a little lighter at substrate level thanks to the light sand.

Smaller tanks, in general, look better with small leaved plants. Hemianthus micranthemoides and Heteranthera zosterifolia are my go-to, low maintenance bulk species.

Just broke down the whole tank and took your advice I think it looks much better

 

[Noroomforshoe]

I am paranoid about the temperature too, so I bought an inkbird thermometer system and I check it with the meat thermometer now and then.

As for the deco, I say this a lot, but I used glass candleholders to hold up some slate rock, And I decorated on top and in front of the table that it creates, and the fish love exploring underneath it.