The valley of silence

[Octopus]

This is one of few my new projects.

My inspiration for this set up is typical rural and rustic place located in central Serbia.
This tank is one month old.

[delevan]

fantastic tank! the light shimmering down through the waters surface in pic 2 is an eye catching effect.

[Roy Deki]

Best one yet Laza, Beautiful snow capped mountains.

[Blue_dolphin]

The lighting technic is so great, feel like the pure sunrise in the early morning.

Thanks!

[Gavo]

This tank rules.

Its excellent.

Great Job !

[waterfaller1]

This is what I try to accomplish, but you seem to do it with ease..and 100% better. Just fantastic! An inspiration to me.

[goalcreas]

AMAZING, I love the rocks, I love the sand, I love the plants, I love the layout.


That is what I feel like when I look at this tank, it is great

[chillaquaplants]

Stunning, as always!

[Maciek]

I like it a lot. Two kind of stones in a small tank - and it still looks natural - now, that's impressive One think that bothers me is the wood - I see that you are trying to create a tree with it, but it just doesn't appeal to me...

[tirtha1979]

No words to describe the beauty. You are the real artist Laza.

[Guillermo]

Hey Slobodan, you have the Green Midas touch, LOL. Amazing tank as usual, great job !!!!

Care to share the specs ?

Cheers !

[Octopus]

Thanks all for comments.

This setup isn’t finished. It will be more changes. I have some in my mind. All my scapes are never ending project for me…

Maciek - About tree…It needs time for moss to grow so I can make better shape…It will be OK.

I expect this tank will achieve the best appearance in the end of July.

Here are some new pictures:

[planter]

Very nice lighting effects! do you think you could tell us a bit about the lighting set up?

[Octopus]

Originally Posted by planter

do you think you could tell us a bit about the lighting set up?

LIGHTING: Arcadia Overtank Luminaire, 4 x T5 tubes = 96 W … supplied with a mix of 2 x Marine White 14,000K 24 W lamps and 2 x T5 Plant Pro 24 W lamps.

Fotoperiod :
10:00 2 x Marine White 14,000K 24 W ON
12:00 2 x T5 Plant Pro 24 W ON
16:00 2 x T5 Plant Pro 24 W OFF
19:00 2 x Marine White 14,000K 24 W OFF

For aquarium shooting I use also external flash light.

[J House]

Yes, I think stunning is the first word that comes to mind. Congrats! Interesting as Roy pointed out about the rocks to achieve snow-covered effect. Usually two different style rocks don't work in scape, but here you've used them with a distinct purpose. Can you tell us more about the rocks used?

[Octopus]

J House thanks for your comment

About stones...there are 3 different types of stones. You didn’t notice the stone in the right site in the foreground. This stone is the third type.
I used different types of stones in order to present my idea in best way. The idea was snow-covered mountain and green valley. For that purpose I used volcanic origin stones from a small volcanic mountain in Serbia not far from Belgrade.
Also inspiration for my setup is one valley from that mountain.

All my efforts in aquascaping are focused on attempts to make aquarium layout that looks natural and only to reflect nature realistically in all its beauty. If I feel a need to break some of current rules in order to achieve specific look, I will do that. ( like this rule about different types stones using).

[chillaquaplants]

Great ripple affect. I almost looks like another mountain in the background.

[plantbrain]

I like this tank but it does seem lacking in the aspect of being recently set up. I'm not sure about the small twig tree added.
Perhaps adding moss to it and having the Riccia pearl more would help, the wood could be more engrained with the moss, riccia and the Fern.

That would give it a nicer look.

I think you are aware of this already.
So with time, it should really look nicer. But the Riccia needs trimming to keep it in shape, but it can be set up and in a couple of weeks look really nice.

Rocks and placement all look good, just need some time and finessing.
Perhaps photo with brighter lighting and wide angel lens shot from slightly below might accent the Riccia and open feel more.

Where's the fish?

Keep up the scaping.
I like.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Octopus]

Yes Tom, you are right. This is a new setup. It isn’t finished jet. It will be more changes. I already wrote about this.

I’m glad you like it and thanks for advices.

About fishes… I never put fishes in tank before I finish setup. I’m planning around 20 pcs. Rasbora maculata and some other species (still haven’t decided which one) for this tank. I put a lot of Otocinclus and Red cherry shrimp few days ago.

[Bunbuku]

Beautiful. Your macro and micro tanks are amazing! This is a 60cm tank no?
Are the red rocks you are using lava rocks?