Hardscape UNS 90u final drafts--critiques

[tsmith_old_guard]

I have been sitting with hardscaping this UNS 90u tank (35.43”L x 22.”W x 22”H) for about 5 weeks. It's tall and deep and I have a perfect view of it from my office desk at the perfect height! The plan is for a high tech, heavily planted tank. I have a big load of different varieties of bucephalandra and anubias arriving in a few weeks that should go great on this hardscape and I am building my plan for the other plants. Here are my final 3 drafts on the hardscape. I am afraid the upper middle quadrant of the tank may have too much empty space being held with leggy stem plants growing towards the light. #1 and #3 seem to be the best choices, with #3 seeming the best. I need to finalize and get this tank filled with water! Any critiques from this experienced bunch?

Substrate: Gravel with root tabs
CO2: Yes
Light: Chirios WRGB2 Pro 90
Hardscapre: Dragon Stone and Driftwood
Filter: Oase Biomaster 2 600 (already fishless cycling on 20 gallon tub from home depot)


I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Kwyet]

I like #3 best.

 

[NC AL]

Definitely #1!

 

[GreggZ]

LOL I like them all but will say #2 to confuse the issue more!

Then I am sure someone will chime in and say #4 to cover all the bases.

But seriously they all work, and most likely which ever one you pick is going to be in constant change anyway. That's just the way it usually works.

 

[JayP]

I 2nd #3. If concerned about tall leggy plants in the middle open space, perhaps a val or similat tall grassy plant woulld work well there. My one concern would be the Biomaster 600 on that size tank. I now have good experience with the biomasters and I would say my 49g tank is the largest I would go with the 600. Some here would even say the 850 flow is too little for yours.

 

[BranchScape]

I 2nd #3. If concerned about tall leggy plants in the middle open space, perhaps a val or similat tall grassy plant woulld work well there. My one concern would be the Biomaster 600 on that size tank. I now have good experience with the biomasters and I would say my 49g tank is the largest I would go with the 600. Some here would even say the 850 flow is too little for yours.

Agree on all points.

 

[Koan]

Another vote for #1, I think the open space does more for you than adding the extra wood in between the two pieces

 

[Long Sun Aquascaping]

I like #3 the best. Is there a way you can extend the fallen wood to the top left front corner of the tank? It would give it quite a bit of depth and interesting shadow.

 

[bizo]

I'm for #1.

The central wood in #3 looks like a dog peeking out from behind.

 

[Capraquaria]

My vote is for 3.

1) For my eye, the gap is too central, and too wide, and draws the eye down.

2) While I like that the central log moves the negative space in the hardscape off center, that element is too vertical and straight, and is a stark contrast to the dragon wood/stone to the left. I do appreciate this contrast would diminish if either structure were planted.

3) The angle of the wood is more natural in overall appearance, and lifts the eye slightly upward, and to the right of midline compared with 1. It also appears as a more natural extension of the wood structure to the right side.

To force an open space where you would like it, a large flat embedded rock, where the top of the rock is just above the substrate, can limit encroachment by plants in that area.