So I added the cave network

[angelfish83]

And here it is





The tiny anubias nana petite are looking out of place in the forground, which will soon be either nothing or walkeri. Im leaning towards nothing because it is more affordable. Still doing the wendtii in the right area.

Im still going to tweak the caves around, they arent as wide as I'd like. Part of the structure looks unsupported but its just the lighting. its 'rock' solid (hehe).

I used high purity silica sandstone, not slate. Looks pretty good I think.

And this is the tank before:

[TammyLiz]

I actually like the anubias in the front. It combats the impression of just a line of plants on top of the driftwood. What would you think of putting some val, probably spiralis for this size tank, in the back left corner? I recently bought some and can't wait for it to grow out. Is it possible to move that far left piece of driftwood forward or is that all one piece?

[adampetherick]

not going to biotope route then?

[angelfish83]

I actually like the anubias in the front. It combats the impression of just a line of plants on top of the driftwood. What would you think of putting some val, probably spiralis for this size tank, in the back left corner? I recently bought some and can't wait for it to grow out. Is it possible to move that far left piece of driftwood forward or is that all one piece?

Its several pieces and its forward already by 5" to allow for a theoretical branch I have yet to purchase

Nope No Val. I dont like it personally. And as per the line of plants effect, I like it. Im all about the artifical look to an aquarium if it works for my eye. I love the dutch style planted tanks tha tlook like a little aqua garden center with fish...

[angelfish83]

not going to biotope route then?

Well the anubias is african, the wood is malaysian, the loaches are indo-malaysian, the plecos and corys and rams are south american...

Soo... nope...

[angelfish83]

They hate my caves They aren't using them... they prefer to hang out under the logs and stuff...

[TammyLiz]

Do you like java moss? Maybe it would seem more cozy to them if it was partially covered in moss.

Just a random thought that probably has no merit! But not a bad idea if you like moss. You could put it across the top and the left side.

[Wendie]

Try opening them up just a tad more. I like the idea and have similar stuff which it took mine forever to try before accepting it.

[angelfish83]

Try opening them up just a tad more. I like the idea and have similar stuff which it took mine forever to try before accepting it.

I thought I might. I totally re-did the thing and its made in a way so its hollow in back making enough rooom for about 12 fullgrown corys to live in it if they so choose... which they won't...


BEFORE

AFTER



I sooooo recommend sandstone to anyone considering slate... Sandstone is just so immensely superior- it weights half as much is totally non affecting to your water chemistry, and you can shape it with a pile of sand or towels and an average hammer- or a piece of granite. It cleaves in half exaaactly where you want it too...

[Wendie]

I've got a small pleco breeding cave (tube) in one of my tanks and darn if one of the gravid female loaches doesn't wedge herself in there on her side all the time.