Journal Trying to make a high-end aquascape from scratch

[gjcarew]

Been working in the yard so not much maintenance. I have started trying to get a general Dutch shape going on. It's kinda tough when the filters are running because they create very heavy flow which leans all the plants over. So I can't really visualize it with the filters off (like this picture). I need to think of ways to slow or spread out the flow

 

[gjcarew]

I forgot to take nice photos but here's one immediately post-trim.

Stuff keeps getting blown around, I need to figure out how to point the flow for my lily pipe outflows further up. Maybe I just need an actual lily pipe or spray bar or something

 

[BenB]

Looks good!

 

[ample]

Is that Echinodorus Aflame up front and center?

 

[gjcarew]

Is that Echinodorus Aflame up front and center?

Yeah

 

[ample]

Really nice. I'm really interested in getting a couple plants. How has the growth and management been for you? Any particular insights? Great layout btw, plants all look very healthy.

 

[gjcarew]

Real easy. I've put them through the ringer. They do alright in low tech but the leaves get more brownish, in high tech they are that nice burgundy color. Easy to prop via splitting when they're happy

 

[Koan]

Maybe I just need an actual lily pipe

New one from Jardli, not actually too unattractive

 

[gjcarew]

Just a little trim + water change. I need to find a different plant than the pogostemon helferi for the foreground. Also probably replace the nymphaea minuta as its growing kinda leggy and I don't know how to trim it to make it grow how I want.

I'm not going to go through the self flagellation of declaring everything that isn't perfect like I usually do because tbh this is good enough for the amount of time I spend working on it. You can't expect 2-hr aquarist results when you're putting in half-hour aquarist time.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

You can't expect 2-hr aquarist results when you're putting in half-hour aquarist time.

This should be a sticker. Gonna post this everywhere lol

 

[BenB]

You can't expect 2-hr aquarist results when you're putting in half-hour aquarist time.

Totally missed this the first time I looked at the post. Makes me laugh.
I hate arm-in-tank-time, but honestly just a few minutes can have a huge impact.

 

[gjcarew]

It's such a weird thing where I often times procrastinate getting started, but then once I do find it very relaxing and rewarding