New 20 Gallon Panorama

Starting an aquascape in a 20 gallon low profile panorama, 36 x 11.8 x 11.8 , and I am looking for rock that I want to use in my design. These are photos I took at the Grand Canyon, and I am looking for similar rock that would mimic what you see in the photo. My design takes you from the high canyon walls down to the floor of the painted desert, then across into a wooded meadow like what you might see in Yellowstone or Yosemite. I am in the very early stages of planning and design, would appreciate any ideas for the rock structure. Thanks.

Starting an aquascape in a 20 gallon low profile panorama, 36 x 11.8 x 11.8 , and I am looking for rock that I want to use in my design. These are photos I took at the Grand Canyon, and I am looking for similar rock that would mimic what you see in the photo. My design takes you from the high canyon walls down to the floor of the painted desert, then across into a wooded meadow like what you might see in Yellowstone or Yosemite. I am in the very early stages of planning and design, would appreciate any ideas for the rock structure. Thanks.

Forgot the photos

 

Pagoda stone?

 

Some reading I have been doing indicates a PH issue with Pagoda stone, is there an alternative, or a way to combat the potential problem? Or is Pagoda stone not as detrimental as I've been reading?

 

I was considering this stone for a new tank. I haven't seen it very much. GobI Desert Stone

 

I was considering this stone for a new tank. I haven't seen it very much. GobI Desert Stone

I’m not the OP but good find!

 

Nice, not quite the reds and rust colors you find in the Grand Canyon, but I do like the color.

 

Are you set on natural rock or would you be willing to go artificial? I know I’ve seen some people on YouTube make some really realistic looking styrofoam/cement rock backdrop combos. I think you’d even be able to add in color pigmentation as well to get it exactly how you want it

 

Are you set on natural rock or would you be willing to go artificial? I know I’ve seen some people on YouTube make some really realistic looking styrofoam/cement rock backdrop combos. I think you’d even be able to add in color pigmentation as well to get it exactly how you want it

I'm more of a realist. I like the natural organic look of real rock. However, I wouldn't mind taking a look at some artificial.

My next question as I get ready to build this thing,

What brand of substrate is best to use?
Same question for soil.
ADA stuff seems quite expensive compared to other's I've seen, they can't be the only ones putting out a quality product??

 

I think that ada is the best. Compared to other aquasoils like it, it actually seems cheaper to me. From aquaforest aquarium it is 40 bucks for 9 liters plus 10 dollar shipping. I’ve used eco complete and while it does have nutrients, they deplete very fast. One thing to make sure you know about Amazonia is that it requires a lot of water changes in the first month.

 

Check Universal Rocks. I think their stacking rocks might be close to what you're looking for. They don't have the sedimentary layers of many of the formations in the photos but the brown ones are pretty close in coloration.

They are very realistic looking. Without having one literally in hand I doubt you'd be able to tell it from real. Several of them you could easily put two of the same one in the tank and as long as they were at different angles you'd never know it was the exact same rock. They're individually colored so that makes it harder to tell they're the same too.

I bought ten of the eight smallest ones for my 20 long. I may have overdone it just a bit.

 

And so it begins.
Stage 1 - Acquire tank, substrate and hardscape materials.
Will be using Controsoil for substrate, also ordered plastic egg crate to build chairs to hold the elevated portion in place and support the rock.
I have roughly 45 pounds of rock, the three pictured are the samples.
Stage 2 - will be plant selection, substrate/hardscape installation, and finally planting.
Stage 3 - filtration, plumbing, cycling
Stage 4 - livestock round up. Fish & shrimp.