Comment by Robert Jango on March 17, 2012 at 4:24am

Hey Eric, maybe its me, but I don't see a picture of your tank.

Comment by Eric on March 17, 2012 at 4:56am

Hey robert, well there on my profile and maybe its me cause I am doing everything from wither my android or my ps3 cause my computer just crapped out. So sorry if you can't see it. :/ but plus side I found a ten gallon just sittin in the side of the road. :) so far no leaks but still testing it for a couple days.

Comment by Robert Jango on March 17, 2012 at 5:26am

If it leaks it would leak right away. But just make absolutely sure there's not even a hint of moisture outside the tank and you'll be fine. Dustin would be very proud of you; he's a ravenous scavenger - as am I.

I'll check out the tank on your profile, but I may fall asleep before I can reply; it 5 freakin AM here.  

Comment by Eric on March 17, 2012 at 9:37am

So far nothing. All seems good with the tank, I'm killing two birds with ne stone and floating drift wood too haha. Lol thanks I couldn't resist I just wish iit was bigger, but I'm going to attempt my first dirt tank with it. :D. Its cool no rush it was the same time where I am, I just happened to wake up then.

Comment by Robert Jango on March 18, 2012 at 2:46am

You have a designer's eye Eric.

Here are a small lesson in tank aesthetics:

One of the basic principles behind aqua-scaping is ridding your aquarium of the box effect - ie: don't remind the viewer he's/she's looking at a cubicle with water inside. Rather one should feel like they're being transported into an exotic underwater world - kind of like peering out of the window of a submerged submarine. The back of your aquarium should look like it extends forever.

Tall plants like Vals placed in back and sides can obscure the corners and rear glass. This same effect can also be achieved with a wall of rocks or moss. Once the sides and back are obscured you want the viewers eyes to be lead there because this will give your aquarium the depth that makes it so attractive.

Here's how to lead your viewers eyes to the back:

1) Tiering your aquarium vertically with gradually heightened steppes, substrate, and plants. Eyes follow the upward slope toward the obscured back.

2) Angling your wood, plants or rocks so that they lead the eyes to the left or right (or both) toward the back. Leading the eye straight back or sideways will contribute to the box effect. That's why you want to angle the viewer's sightline. 

3) The interaction of your added elements ie. their color, size, and shape should also contribute to the illusion of a tanks depth. Some designers actually construct paths that lead back, and, although this looks nice, I agree with Dustin that its kind of cliche-ish. The other problem I have with paths is that this "natural look" (as opposed to a formal design) doesn't look natural at all.

3)  Heck, entire books have been written on the subject but this is the main idea. 

Here's a practical suggestion:

Fool around with the design in your aquarium before you add the water or draw a picture of it on a piece of paper. The fact that you're asking for input tells me you have the patience to learn and grow. And don't forget, you canalways change things around.

Comment by Eric on March 18, 2012 at 2:03pm

Okay cool thanks! I'm going to redo it, so as soon as I do ill post pics. But your right I more or less just threw it together with a little plan but no where close to the planning I'm doing now. Thanks for the help and tips!

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