What can I do to enhance this aquascape???

Hello!

Just brainstorming about my new 55 gallon aquarium low tech aquascape…any suggestions on what you would add to where I’m at right now? I have tinkered with the idea of doing valisnaria as a background, having a difficult time envisioning it though. Probably need more plants in the left corner too. Any thoughts? this is a low tech no co2 tank. I am just using a fluval 3.0 light and dose with Seachem Flourish Comprehensive twice a week. Thank you!

 

I think the island on the left needs to be added to. Maybe some more rocks, and a stick jutting out, with some anubias around the base like you have on the other two.

 

Your eye is naturally drawn both to the left and the space under the arch- you might add some focal points there
I would move the stone in the left corner a little more into the tank- my eye catches on it uncomfortably.

 

Thanks for the advice both of you

 

I get what you're saying with the valisnaria. The hornwort will fill out fast, and a tall wavy grass of some sort would probably look nice behind the driftwood or off to one side.

 

With the size of gravel that you're having, I'm not sure vallisneria would grow. Root feeders prefer smaller fraction. You'd probably be better off with some stem plants that are more indifferent to the substrate. Try stargrass - it's so beautiful, unfortunately my barbs ate all mine , but you don't have any voracious fish so it might work.
I'd tie some moss on the wood. I agree you should put something under the arch. Maybe a nice colourfull bucephalandra or a feathery African fern - neither will mind being shaded by moss above, if you choose to add it.

 

Remove the small substrate pebbles. They make the tank look really small and they're hard to combine with hardscape.

Quadruple the amount of wood.

Get your hardscape right first; and the plants will follow.