jcardona1's Aqua Forest: The Beginning

[jcardona1]

how would you keep the sand from mixing in with the black substrate. seems like it would turn into a mess over time.

also, what other low growing ground covers are out there, besides HC and glosso? i wanna see what other options there are just in case i fail miserably with HC. that way i have a backup plan. i was thinking e. tenellus, but it grows a little taller and more grassy...

 

[jcardona1]

yeah ive seen some guys on plantedtank.net set up dividers in the substrate using flexible clear plastic. not sure what they use but it looks like the plastic material that 2 liter soda bottles are made out of.

they divide the area, then pour in the two substrates. then they lift out the plastic and have an instant path. this is something i would have had to do since the beginning though. not sure how i could do that now w/o making a mess!

 

[dhgyello04]

yeah ive seen some guys on plantedtank.net set up dividers in the substrate using flexible clear plastic. not sure what they use but it looks like the plastic material that 2 liter soda bottles are made out of.

they divide the area, then pour in the two substrates. then they lift out the plastic and have an instant path. this is something i would have had to do since the beginning though. not sure how i could do that now w/o making a mess!

Jose...
You can find the material and try and shove it in the gravel. Once that is done take some out and replace with a rock to hold the shape of the plastic barrier. Once the area is secure, remove the area of gravel and replace it with sand. That way your other areas on the sides will not loose its shape and look. The water level is only pooling on the area your going to take out right.
Don

 

[Frostyone]

thin sheets of polycarbonate (lexan) are available cheap at home depot. Insert the dividers, scoop out the substrate and put down the sand. As long as there's not too much for plants to root to, it should be relatively easy to keep the plants from growing too much in that sand.

 

[jcardona1]

good stuff. ill take it into consideration and keep you guys posted!

 

[JayK1320]

So, has it grown yet? Full carpet right! Haha kidding, but its looking good man, cant wait to see this one completed. I bet it will look sick.

 

[jcardona1]

ha i wish!!!!!!!! i cant even see into the tank. its all fogged up. the humidity level in there is crazy. i took off the plastic and took a peak, i swear my face was sweating by the time i was done

 

[dhgyello04]

Jose,
Also you can use pieces of slate to line your wall barrier and then keep the sand in the middle at a lower level. This would create a step down look.

 

[oOMO3NOo]

it would look cool to do a path like that but not only would you constantly have to trim the plants to keep them in the right place but you will also have to always pick out the black substrate from the sand it will get in there no matter what you do. not worth the weekly hastle IMO

 

[Caoboy]

Hey Jose if you need rocks like slate, go back to my mom's house, plenty in the back, have my lil bro show you. It's either shale or slate.

Tank looks good, like the way scaped it.