My Tank Looks Ugly But I Don’t Know How To Fix It.

And....real plants make baby plants for you.

that's true too haha no need to get more

 

You should try a dwarf water lily! They can grow to be quite tall and send out lily pads, which look very nice in my opinion. They are also a pinkish/red color which would add some variation to a green planted tank. Another thing I would do is add some floating plants like hornwort or water lettuce. However, water lettuce does not ship very well. I agree with everyone else about adding the java fern. I have one anchored to my rock and all it needs is a light.

 

That ghost shrimp from earlier is now opaque and not clear. I fear the worst (death), But is there a chance it is one of those super ghost shrimp?

 

Is it molting? Mine will get a little opaque before molting, I thought my one was dead cause I haven’t seen it in a while.

 

I think it was the one I saw earlier making the motions like it is going to molt. Maybe when I get home I will find an exoskeleton stuck to the filter.

 

If it's just a bit less translucent than usual, it's probably just going to molt soon. If it's turning opaque in the sense that it's going white then I'm sorry to say it's probably already too late though if you can correct the issue then it may cling to life for as long as another few weeks. If it's the latter case and you're not sure of the issue, I'd suggest a large water change ASAP.

 

I think the shrimp will be molting soon if not overnight. It keeps flexing its tail down like it’s trying to split the exoskeleton.

Got some plants and a neon to finish the tank, placement isn’t final, I need to get more sand. Sorry for bad lighting, acclimating fish.

 

From what I can see it's looking better! I'd love to take a better look once your new guy is settled in.

 

It was kind of funny when I added him. The others were asleep, and when I added him he just fell into line.

 

Now it looks good.

 

I see you moved the wood and plants. Looks good.

 

Man that looks good! I love it!

 

Thank you. I will continue to post pics of progress

 

I really like it! Though to be honest, I think I liked it just a *tiny* bit better when you had the driftwood moved the old way. You can do what you want though.

 

Looks nice! Though the important part is whether you think it looks nice.

That said, you need to spread out the wisteria a bit. You can keep it in the corner, but if it's left bunched up like that then all those lower leaves are going to get badly shaded out and fall off. I typically find that stem plants like wisteria do best when you separate the stems and plant each one individually or in bunches ideally of no more than two (tied together by a plant weight, though if you use plant weights be careful not to put them on too tight since that will damage the stem and make it rot off at that point). I'd put each stem at least 1" away from the others so the leaves have room to spread out and catch light. Also, the java fern looks like it's buried fairly deep. I can't quite tell if it is or isn't, so you might want to make sure the rhizome is not in the sand since that's how java fern obtains nutrients.

 

Ok I will check it out and make improvements in the morning

I flipped on the light this morning to find my new neon tetra dead. The others are happy, there’s no visible damage. So I think it was just a weak one. PetSmart has a warranty. So I will hopefully get a healthier one.

 

Another thing you might consider is some kind of backdrop or a backboard with elements attached by silicone or hot glue. Subtle simple and with color that suits what you have. Lots of room to try to work up something that suits your tastes.

The result (for now)

 

I already have a backdrop of black construction paper.

 

Plants, plants, plants!

Live plants are always the way to go

Correct but blue gravel never is

 

I hate gravel. The surface looks good, and skimming it with the gravel vacuume looks fine, but if you shove the tip into the gravel, the water turns brown from the hiding.

Just need to let it fill in....

 

Wow, your tank looks so much better than in the first picture you posted!

 

Wow, your tank looks so much better than in the first picture you posted!

It really does! Good job!

 

Now that's an aquascape to be proud of. Great job.

 

Correct but blue gravel never is

Why you hating on my blue gravel?

 

Why you hating on my blue gravel?

It just looks ugly for my natural setting. It can look nice, like with glow fish....

 

It just looks ugly for my natural setting. It can look nice, like with glow fish....

Agree. Colored gravel doesn't look natural. If you were going for a cartoon or anime theme it wood work.

 

I think gravel in general is unnatural. Every pond, lake, or steam I have been to has a combination of sand, and large rocks.

 

That looks great! Nice job!

 

It just looks ugly for my natural setting. It can look nice, like with glow fish....

I didn't suggest colored gravel for your natural tank just plants! I do quite like your tank now.

Agree. Colored gravel doesn't look natural. If you were going for a cartoon or anime theme it wood work.

Just went for a cool-tank theme. I'm planning on setting my 20 gallon up with black sand.

 

LOL! people on this forum have their own opinions. If you're a perfectionist, you'll never be satisfied with your tank.

We have a 55 gallon tank and I think our tank looks empty and we have a castle, couple rocks, driftwood, and sponge bob decor.

 

Your scape has come a long way. Looks great!

 

I like it, I think all that’s left to do is to let it fill in and split the Anubis when they get big enough and populate the log.

 

Love your tank, nice to see before and after pics. Wish my LFS have driftwood, I would hate to order one online and hate it when I try to put it in tank.

 

That looks fantastic now.

 

The open space I think was causing neon aggression. I moved the coconut and some plants to fill the space the fish seem to have chilled out.

 

The open space I think was causing neon aggression. I moved the coconut and some plants to fill the space the fish seem to have chilled out.

Very nice. This tank came a long way.

 

Yep the plants are the ones that did it

 

Yep the plants are the ones that did it

You did it believe Me planted tanks can still look ugly (talking about my own)

 

Birthday present for me!

Lol I just got my 10 gallon looking nice. I think I will take my driftwood, plants, and critters and put them in my 50 and get some suggestions for more stocking and maybe give the 10 to a sibling or make it a shrimp tank.

Thanks for all the help! Here is my 50 gallon adventure! —> 50 Gallon Tall Stocking Check

 

It doesn't look ugly! Ugly is no tank.....Think what kind of fish you what. Check if you have any Dollar stores around you. They have great sales on plants. They help your tank look full.Plant money goes fast. I don't know were you live but I found a of great rocks out side. Pink Quartz it looks great in the tank so I just had to buy the bottom.
See what other ideas the group comes up with?
Kyleaz