Comment by GSP on March 2, 2012 at 3:03pm

Commented on one of your photos.

Comment by Robert Jango on March 4, 2012 at 8:43am

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. Your eye to follow the upward slope toward the obscured back.

2) Tiering your aquarium horizontally by creating a path that leads the eyes to the left, right, or middle - it doesn't matter which direction so long as you're being lead somewhere toward the back. Some designers actually construct paths to achieve this effect. Although it looks nice I agree with Dustin that its looks kind of cliche-ish. The other problem I have with it is that its a "natural look" (as opposed to a formal design) that doesn't look natural at all.

3) Color, size, and shape of all the elements (plants, rocks, wood etc) should also contribute to an aquariums depth. Heck, entire books have been written on the subject but at least you get 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 suggestions is a good sign. It tells me that you have the patience to plan this thing out. So plan on!  Like Dustin says, there no substitute for a good planning. Think of it as trying on a suit before buy it. Just because it looks good on the rack doesn't mean it will look good on you.   

Comment by tyrel fourie on March 6, 2012 at 11:34pm

how about putting a bit of ludwigia in the backgroung i think it would look pretty cool

Comment by Ethan on March 7, 2012 at 9:33am

Stem plants in the background.

Comment by Paul on March 9, 2012 at 10:42am

Okay guys, so I bought some Red Rotala, Rotala Colorata, and some Willow Leaf Hygro as far as background stem plants. Hope those will look nicely in the tank when they arrive.

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