Gravel separator? Decorating new tank

Hi, All,

Guess I AM well and truly hooked, cause we bought a 29 gal for my bday. I have a notion for landscaping it that involves mostly natural colored gravel, with a small artificial "stream" wandering the length of the tank, with special blue gravel or flattened glass marbles (or both, for sparkle). Any notions on what to use as a channel to keep the different gravel separate from the rest of the tank?

This is my first attempt at anything like real aquascaping, but I have landscaped our last two outdoor yards, including a hummingbird, goldfinch and butterfly garden in our current location. They are great fun to watch. Due to a back condition, I can no longer garden, so my aquarium will be my new outlet for the "decorating with plants" bug. I have always loved fish.

We live in the Chicago area and there's not much to do outside from Dec. to April, anyway. I am big on native plants and perennials that serve multiple purposes, so I am excited about the tank. Lot to learn.

I have a male powder blue gourami and a pair of little corys in a five gal Eclipse hex from Christmas and they are doing fine. I would love to breed some fancy guppies in the bigger tank, and definitely want some Kuhli loaches. Wouldn't mind little blue gouramis, but have not been able to find a female locally.

I have received a lot of help and guidance from you, some from reading existing info and posts, and some from a few very patient individuals. You are a positive and helpful group and I really appreciate your input. I never realized a hobby could be so much more fun with someone to share it!

Thanks a million -

Great design! Thanks for the input.

This would be great if I felt I could work with plexiglass! My idea was to take a background with a small waterfall (either aquarium background or laminated art print, cut to size) and created the "stream" of colored stones as a visual extension of the base of the waterfall. An off-center waterfall would be best.

Fell in love with a print by James Coleman called "Peaceful Pause" which shows a bridge over a lily pond with very nice use of light. Mostly dark blues and greens. (I think he might create backgrounds for Disney, too). Since my tank measures 30"l x 18"h, I can reduce the standard 24x36 print without losing too much of what I want. Hopefully Kinko's can laminate that. With the right 3D decorations and some fish with floaty fins (light colors against the dark background and gravel) I am hoping the effect could be ethereal. Plants too, of course. If I succeed I'll get a photo.