Help me re-scape my tank

[Lady G]

Ok, I was in the middle of a PWC when I decided I want to change the look in my tank. It was just boring, then once I got most things out of the tank...I just can't think how I want to put it all back together. I am going to post a pic of my tank and accessories can anyone help me decide how I want to do it? I have to work with what I have, would love to add plants but it is my African cichlid tank and they tore up and dug up every plant I had except the one, which I am considering just tossing it has gotten sooooo big but they love hiding in it that is about the only reason I want to keep it. The driftwood on the table is not completely ready yet, I've had it "sinking" for about 3 weeks and it still floats but I wanted to include them because I would like to use them if possible once they are sunk or I can place come kind of weight on them to hold them down. The tank is cloudy b/c I just stirred everything up when moving stuff, the plant is not completely down b/c I'm not sure where/if I want it, and the algae has been scraped off.

Thanks in advance,

Gin

[Alegre323]

id put the driftwood as close to the rear glass as possible, with the plant on the left side so it wont steal any light/space for the fishies. also makes a great hiding spot for them!

[125gJoe]

Just my opinion...

I would "entangle" the driftwood to make it look "unique" on one side of the tank, and have the smallest rocks put in the middle, leaving a 'trail' back towards the large rocks on a far side of the tank.

(you may need to cut some of the driftwood - lots of varations here...) :)


________

[Lady G]

OOOHHHHH I like the "entangle" the driftwood thought there...thanks Joe! Ok, what if I do the driftwood thing on the left (my filter is on that side so the plant can't really go there), then the plant on the right side..still making a "trial" with the rocks leading to the plant?? I wouldn't mind getting rid of the plant, but at the same time I hate to simply because I got it as a bulb and it is the ONLY plant they didn't completely destroy and they do love hiding in it. Do you think if I get the driftwood all entangled it would stay sunk cause it would be heavier?
Keep the ideas coming guys...I've just had a complete mind block I like what has been suggested so far!

[125gJoe]

Replace that plant with smaller plants...

[Lady G]

Ok, here is what I have done so far...the driftwood is being held down by rocks right now once they are fully water logged and I can remove the rock I can entangle them better, and I believe I will be changing the rock work a bit..I just don't like it. I took the huge plant and cut it to make 3 plants, they loved that plant so much I just hated to take it out completely although they really seem to like the driftwood "cluster".

[Coler]

great job ! really like your tank LadyG

have you thought about putting a background on ?

I would also stack higher with the rocks, creating more caves.

[charlie_stubbs]

great job ! really like your tank LadyG

have you thought about putting a background on ?

I would also stack higher with the rocks, creating more caves.
:iagree:
More caves and a background would help hide the heater as well. Looks good though your fish will be very happy!!!!

[Squawkbert]

I'd move the swords on the right side back, move the DW pile a bit to the right, add some sm. foreground plants.

A very nice start!

[Slappy*McFish]

That looks awesome. Huge improvement, Lady G. :thumbsup:

[Lady G]

Thanks guys! I plan on workin on it more and was going to move the rocks around differently but I had to stop for the night, my fish were sick of my hands being in there I think. As far as adding more plants I'd love to....but my cichlids ate all the plants except the one left (well now it's 3 since I broke it into 3), at one time that tank was pretty planted had a more "jungle" look to it but needless to say my fish loved the water sprite, vals and every other plant in there.
If I get a chance tonight I am going to try and rearrange the rock work, I will add a new pic once I am done. I'd like to get more rock and add it all along the back, but it will be a while before I can get more rock so I have to work with what I have. As far as a background, I did have a black background on it before I moved when we did it ended up getting tore up and they don't have a new background for a 55 at wal-mart (only store here), so I will have to wait till I order more frozen food or something and add one to the order, unless I can make a trip to Springfield (about a hour from here).