Tank Makeover: Ideas!

Hello

I am inviting you all to post some ideas for a full tank makeover. I currently have a 4ft tank, with a sump. Some gradually dying plants, a piece a wood, a rock, a fake (but lovely) tree-stump, and a fake cave. (that I can't remove because my ancistrus would go mad) I have white river-sand (brown now, from diatom and general dirt).

I have 2 angels, 7 clown loaches, a few khuli loaches, 2 moonlight gourami's, 6 ancistrus and a bunch of small fish like neons, guppies and harlequins.

So, what am I doing? Well, upgrading my lighting from 2 T8's to 2 T8's and 2 T5's - for now. Might increase that gradually.
Putting in a CO2 system.
Putting in Palm Fibre Peat and chemicult, which my good brother, Zoom, is going to coach me through.

Do any of you have ideas on:
1. Sand - I want to get rid of the riversand. Was thinking of putting in black sand, or just a really good-looking silica sand. Ideas? Suggestions on where to get it?

2. Plants - I want a a really leafy, lush tank. Amazon swords and similar plants do not seem to survive my tank, and nor do plants with fine leaves. (Moonlight gourami rip them apart to create nests)

3. Rockery? Wood? Again, best place to buy this, at the best price?

Any suggestions welcome - my tank is a blank canvas, and you are all artists!!

:stupido:

 

Hi,

Have you tried moss on your wood, grows relatively fast and creates a nice environment and look. Try some Java fern as well. Lava rock also gives a nice effect and is not to expensive. Piet's Crazy Pets in Rustenburg sells it, I believe will find some of it around the Jhb area as well and all of the best with the decoration. Think silica sand will also create a nice look.

 

Moss is one thing that seems to grow really well in this tank....

@Madam
Send me a skype message in the morning, and I'll tell you exactly where to go get your stuff, and what to get. Don't want to step on any sponsors toes here!

Black "midnight" gravel is the absolute "best" in my opinion!
A plain Royal blue background

I can direct you to place to get driftwood, healthy plants, and even the gravel. Although when i was at the LPS yesterday, they didn't seem to have any stock... hmmm.

You need to get yourself an internal PUMP. (NOT FILTER). Will explain this to you in detail too. You will need new (and lots of) carbon, as well as new floss.

 

Thanks wsteene and Zoom for the ideas. Wsteene, I do have some moss in my tank, grows like crazy. Will definitely keep it, it fill the tank up nicely
Zoom, thanks we'll chat soon. Am definitely keen on black sand, if you don't mind me 'copying' you! Zoom, I'm going ask you one more time (hopefully): What is the name of those dark green plants you gave me, with the 'curly' leaves? (sorry, I'll remember it when I read the name)

 

i agree, the black sand is gonna look great

its gonna create fantastic contrast to all the green in the tank

 

It's a crypt. Don't know which one tho.. there are hundreds of different types.