Opinions on jungle-style hardscape layout

[Fishstery]

I'm seeking opinions and constructive criticism on the layout I have near finalized for the hardscape on my 50 gallon tank. I was supposed to have already rescaped the tank, but my toddler and I came down with a horrible case of the flu, so I'm delayed on the project. Trying to find the silver lining and use this as an opportunity to have some other creative minds take a look and see if I should make any tweaks before tearing the current scape down.

The tank is a more shallow footprint, 39" long, 17.72" wide, and 17.72" tall. I'm going for a nature/jungle style. Let me know what you think! I have a huge pile of accent roots, so the only thing I had left was to sort through that and maybe add in some very fine roots once I'm ready to fully assemble the hardscape in the tank. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

 

[JayP]

Looks great.

 

[ElleDee]

I like it! But I do have a suggested tweak. I'd take the yellow piece and rotate it a bit so it's anchored up higher and reaching down and forward a bit across the sand, approximately like the blue line. I think it looks disconnected from the rest of the wood as it is.

 

[Fishstery]

I like it! But I do have a suggested tweak. I'd take the yellow piece and rotate it a bit so it's anchored up higher and reaching down and forward a bit across the sand, approximately like the blue line. I think it looks disconnected from the rest of the wood as it is.

View attachment 15636

I'd have to cut the branch off, it's actually a larger piece but the less desirable half is hidden behind the rest of the hardscape, it's an older piece I had on hand from one of my earlier scapes when I first got into the hobby:

I was trying to place it further back to give the scape a little bit of depth.

Perhaps I should remove it entirely? Although that would leave a lot of open, bare space on the left side of the tank. The perspective is a bit skewed as I can't get a good straight on photo of the layout due to the tank behind me getting in the way. I have my work space wedged on the floor in the back corner of my basement, so my hardscape pieces can go undisturbed from cats and my toddler

 

[Koan]

Although that would leave a lot of open, bare space on the left side of the tank

I like the use of white space, very stark motion on one side against very little on the other.. Like iwagumi but with wood

Lots of opportunity to balance it out with plant form factor and movement Maybe don't soften the branches with moss, leave them open

 

[ElleDee]

Well, I prefer that piece removed compared to where it was originally. I understand not wanting to cut it. The whole thing is your baby, so ultimately whatever you want is best. I feel like a lot of hardscape gets obscured with plants over time, and at that point does it even matter if the wood placements were perfect or not?

 

[BranchScape]

Well, I prefer that piece removed compared to where it was originally. I understand not wanting to cut it. The whole thing is your baby, so ultimately whatever you want is best. I feel like a lot of hardscape gets obscured with plants over time, and at that point does it even matter if the wood placements were perfect or not?

I try to remind myself of this. I am not doing a hardscape only vignette so I need to make sure I don't, lose the forest for the trees. I still do when working but s a short pause and reset helps.