90p Contest Tank

[Tank_scape]

90p Build

This will probably be my 2023 IAPLC build. Thought I would start a thread on it for anybody interested and hear thoughts and criticisms.



UNS 90p

Chihiros WRGB2 light 8hrs a day 2hr ramp up and down. 100% on all colors.

Pressurized co2 on three hours before light off one hour before light off.

UNS controsoil

The large wood is ghost wood

The small branches are from my backyard

UNS manten stone

UNS decorative sand



I’m going for more of a nature style scape influenced by some of Adam Paszczela’s tanks. Autumn color scheme with shades of green with some hints of orange from Pinnatifida and Proserpinaca Palustris. Going with a carpet of crypt lucens in the mid ground for more of a wild look vs the standard grass or Monte Carlo. Trying to keep the center of the wood somewhat open to see the stems of an Amazon sword yellow sun that’s planted directly behind the wood. The hope is it will grow up out of the tank so that just the stems are seen. Hoping that will add to more of a wild look vs heavy manicured scape.



I came up with this idea when the results came out for this years IAPLC contest and once again all of the top tanks were the fantasy themed diarama style tanks. I love these tanks and appreciate the talent it takes to build them but I think it goes against the original idea Amano had for this contest. I don’t think this style of tank will rank well with the way the contest is currently but I’m also not sure that I care.



I originally entered the IAPLC just see what it was like to compete. The first year I ranked 654 using a 10 gallon tank. I was pleasantly surprised in my rank but the pressure of it was more than I expected. The only reason I actually continue to compete is that it forces me to push myself and more importantly pushes me to complete a tank. I’m a hardscape guy. I love building hardscapes and can work on them for weeks but have zero patience for the plants to grow in. I’m ready to tear down a tank and build a new hardscape before plants can grow in so the contest helps me to be able to see the project through to completion. The tank is just recently planted but here are some progress pics of the build. Let me know your thought. Constructive criticism is welcome. Can’t say I will do any of it. I tend to plow my own path even if it crashes and burns but you never know lol.

 

[JPog]

That hardscape fits that 90P really well. The additional branches add more character/depth. Will those hold up under water or maybe it won't matter since the tank won't be up long term. Since your looking for comments, IMO the right front with the sand area looks kinda contrived and pulls my attention away from the main focal area. But again that's just what I see at first glance.

Most of the tanks that do well are at least 3 foot, so you did well with 10 Gallon. I only entered IAPLC once (it was like 2010) and it was with a 3.5 Gallon, LOL. The contest has changed and so much of it is getting crazy depth/detail and really getting that to come through in photos. I give you alot of credit not sure if I can do it these days.

 

[Tank_scape]

Thanks you. I actually really like the sand area in the front right but I see what you are saying. It does grab a lot of attention now but I think once the plants grow it it may not. I’ve also been thinking about pulling the sand through the whole front front left to right. Add some rock like the right side and sparsely plant between I few rocks. My scapes always seem to be a work in progress all the way up to time to take the pic.

 

[JPog]

I didn't even notice the plants in the front at first, that will definitely soften it, what did you plant in the foreground?

 

[Tank_scape]

I used Helathium Tenellum.

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