Tell Me How To Make My Tank Look Better

How do I make it look more natural?

 

I'd add taller plants in the back or put a backround on it, or both

 

I always find that driftwood helps with making things look natural, plus just letting your plants fill in will also help. Emmysjj is also right.

 

what's with the substrate...?

 

I would lower the amount of substrate. That's way too much for a tank. Maybe switch it out for black or white sand/gravel.

Take the pots out and replace them with different shaped rocks. Move all the plants to one corner to make it look like a planted island.

 

I tried to add taller plants in the back but I had to push them down more. Got driftwood in there. Also when I first started this tank I had multI colored gravel which then I got cories, so I added sand. Thought the sand would go down into the gravel but it hasn't. It's been 3 years already.

 

I think the substrate is far too deep, you may encounter gas pockets if you don’t clean it weekly. I do know that cories help with that, but they aren’t going to solve all problems.

 

oh my goodness lol. hmmm. that much sand and gravel might be dangerous because of gas pockets, idk. it would really look better if you could take it all out and replace it with a solid colour of sand imho. I think you'd have to completely drain the tank and put your fish somewhere else for the time being though....

I agree with the removal of the terra cotta pots too. get a big, pretty piece of driftwood or tall rocks for a focal point, maybe.

 

I have the pots in there because my bristles are breeding. I do clean every few days. That's gonna be a LONG time to get everything out as its down 6 inches with sand, then I have to get the gravel.
Edit: as for driftwood it's like $40 for a big piece.

 

I always like to center the tank on a rock, or fancy pieces of driftwood, that makes a good tank interesting to look at. You want to use hardscape around the plants, and wood, creating a focal point.

I place large rocks or wood right in the center, plant around and behind it, then you’ll see that it looks cleaner and pleasant. I agree with the substrate, you definitely should remove some or get a solid color.

 

yeah, that's a lot lol. I think it'll be worth it though! you'd have a lot more room in the tank. it's your decision though.

 

I have lots to remove. I have some big rocks, so I'll make a pathway as well. Imma remove all of the gravel and sand tomorrow. Gonna add just white sand. As for the pots I can hide them, but they gotta stay because my male long finned has eggs.

 

I have lots to remove. I have some big rocks, so I'll make a pathway as well. Imma remove all of the gravel and sand tomorrow. Gonna add just white sand. As for the pots I can hide them, but they gotta stay because my male long finned has eggs.

Sounds like a plan!

 

Now, just thought and I'll do a little at a time because I don't want to stress my fish out. Now I got LOTS of root tabs
Edit: don't think charcoal takes the the benefits of root tabs away. Does it? Don't think so.