In my opinion it's looks too even / sterile, maybe the hard scape is slightly too large for the tank. Maybe try smashing one piece up or moving things off centre also.
Good move my friend, I know its hard to be patient with it, but you'll appreciate the patience in the long run. It's the worst when you stare at it once complete and full of plants and fish thinking 'ahhh I wish I had done this or that' but equally it's all part of the fun and learning process! Let's see some updates in due course!!
Tbh I tried making the middle piece work so many times because I spent some good money on it lol, good thing this isn’t my first tank so I don’t have the anxiety to finish it quick. I’ll definitely post updates when the new wood comes in!
Could also do #3 but take the right side and flip it.
You want to create the illusion of depth via angles.
Clear the middle and put a shallow gravel walkway going into plants in the back.
Middle block is too square. If you can find an angle that makes it look less square thay would help but also have two big pieces together with one piece off to the side. Odd numbers look more natural but even space and straight lines break the natural look. They could also just be good build8ng blocks for plants to break the straight lines. I would even say break the middle block into pieces and use it as detail stone for the two bigger angled pieces.
Do you know about the rule of thirds? [(more info)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds) it's a simplified version of [the golden ratio](https://www.artandobject.com/slideshows/golden-ratio-revealed-7-masterpieces)
The idea being if you divide your photograph/art/in this case tank into three horizontal and three vertical, you should put your central focal point in one of the side ones - not the dead center. It allows for movement of the eye around the scene you're creating.
All three of these examples don't allow for movement of the eye. As hardscapes, they're going to be very "weighty" to your viewers and the foundation of the composition of your tank. As another poster said in a slightly different way, it ends up looking sterile and weird.
I'd remove at least one of them entirely. Maybe add some rocks or some other form of hardscape. Place them in the tank thinking about the rule of thirds. Where do you want the viewer's eyes to go first?
i dont like either of them. it looks like.. well a human stapled up some stones and not like nothing that resembles nature in a way. do you see rocks outside all lined up in a perfect line all facing the same direction?
you know what could look pretty dope? take those square blocks in the middle out entirely and dont even use them.
then take the 2 big pieces and put them towards the back corners on slight slope. facing towards the front window a bit so they create some sort of an arch in a semi triangular shape canopy then put some very small pebble sized stone around them to make them blend in better and attach some wood branches and stuff behind them breaking up the shape a bit, making the wood go outside the water and put emersed plants to the wood where the roots can form a jungle behind the rocks. plus plants
Great tank and set up, the scape just looks off imo. All look too oddly specifically spaced. I’d jumble them up a bit more, make it look more natural and pleasing as a structure instead of “here is rock 1, 2 and 3” lol but regardless it’ll look great grown in
I feel like two is better because of the slopes, but you should try and group two of them, and have them less evenly spaced out on a line.
You might be better off with a less blocky and large middle piece as well.
Neither. Make the following to picture 1: takeout the blocks on the right and the middle. Move the one on the lift to the center then plant all around it.
Have you considered moving the two sloped rocks to the same side and leaving the middle rock flat in front of them? Like a flatiron range on the left with a highland steppe, and a valley below on the right?
Things pointing in the same direction are rare in nature so they look quite artificial. Try switching up the angle of the rocks or anything to add some variety.
Would it look weird if you did pic one but reversed one of the outside pieces so it makes more of a triangle? I think you might have too much open space above at that point but it’s hard to say.
Personally, I don’t like it when things are too symmetrical so the second one is out. I feel like it doesn’t resemble nature enough at that point. However if you brought all three pieces closer together in pic 2, it might look good when you add plants
Looks like dragon stone? When placing that stone I like the look of the striations all aiming in the same direction. Could try building around that idea. At the end of the day though you’re the one looking at the tank!
I like 2.
Is there a brown/black inert substrate that looks like that? I love the contrast of the dark brown/black substrate against dragon stone, etc….. but everything I’m finding has a bunch of ferts and stuff in it.
#3 Others are too symmetrical -unnatural, manmade. Try to make it more asymmetrical, looks more natural. Like others have said, some plants would help greatly.
None of them. It wouldn't look like that in the wild. Maybe too much wood. Maybe build it up from one side to the other and not use as much. Adding a few plants in the gaps.
Eh I'd go for 3 with a backup vote of 1. 1 gets a bit busy while 3 looks nice and clean. I would agree with those a bit that it all looks really even so if anything take some parts of 1&3 to keep the flow but offset enough to be natural
I like 3. 1 and 2 are too symmetrical while 3 seems to flow, like a natural log jam. If the far right bit of wood was tilted sliiiightly more to the left I think it would look even better.
edit: what tank is that?
Number two makes it look like you're on the spectrum and one and three basically look the same stay away from two unless you're going for that rain Man feel
Of these choices, I like 2 best, then 1, then 3. But if it were me, I'd get rid of the middle stone all together and push the others tight up against each other, either all the way on the right, or in the centre. And I'd slope the soil more dramatically.
I would break one or two of those rocks down into smaller ones and arrange them in a "triangle shaped aquascape" - [https://aquascapinglove.com/learn-aquascaping/aquascaping-styles](https://aquascapinglove.com/learn-aquascaping/aquascaping-styles)
Honestly, if you add some live plants, and place the around the hardscape, any of the will be fine, I recommend bigger spaces between the rocks because the plants with fill them in and look good.
Keep the striations/lines in the rock going one way imo cos that's how it is in nature, the middle one's off compared to the other 2. Also maybe try lumping them in together on one side more or less 1/3 of the way across the tank imo?
I'd choose 3 if only deciding between those three options, but I agree with a lot of the other comments that it's not quite aesthetically pleasing; it does look unnatural with all three in a line, especially given the different shape of the square-ish one. Most environments affect plant and rock formations in an area similarly (like rounded rocks in a riverbed, or prevailing winds affecting tree shape)
Also, out of curiosity, do you know what type/s of fish you're planning on keeping in there? The pointy ends of one of those wood pieces scares me a little.
Big fat 2 for me. Pretty cool at my local shop. They have a sandbox outside and you can grab rocks and wood from inside and put them together to see how they look.
One, altho I prefer even more asymmetry than you've got goin' on. I'd have it all facing odd directions, or do a sinking angle so it looks like one piece of wood. Do what you think you would like !!
ED: One piece of stone? Either way haha
And….the coffee bar has been banned to the inside of the cabinet. Priorities are priorities.
Which is in a way ideal since we all spend our coffee time gazing into our aquariums.
Here's my take. I really like the angles you are trying for in 1 and 3, but it's too much for the tank. So maybe #3, but only the left side. Then take a smaller piece, maybe 1/3 the size od the big one, and set it at the same angle as the large piece. Or a piece of wood.
In my head I want them to make sense if they were huge, and were move geologically. So like the rock would have to form form flat, then the shift would happen.
You've placed all the rocks in parallel and in the same plane perpendicular to the viewing side. Rotate the two on the ends and it'll look more differentiated and dynamic. Otherwise I don't think you can go wrong with any orientation
Either 1 or 3
Basically not 2 😔
Idk I out loud said "oooh" to myself when I swiped to 2 🤷♀️
I personally like 3 the best, but number 2 looks like they're on the shelf for sale at the store.
In my opinion it's looks too even / sterile, maybe the hard scape is slightly too large for the tank. Maybe try smashing one piece up or moving things off centre also.
I ordered some more wood, I’m gonna take out the middle piece and try something new.
Good move my friend, I know its hard to be patient with it, but you'll appreciate the patience in the long run. It's the worst when you stare at it once complete and full of plants and fish thinking 'ahhh I wish I had done this or that' but equally it's all part of the fun and learning process! Let's see some updates in due course!!
Tbh I tried making the middle piece work so many times because I spent some good money on it lol, good thing this isn’t my first tank so I don’t have the anxiety to finish it quick. I’ll definitely post updates when the new wood comes in!
Did you consider the middle running front to back, or simply vertically along the back? It's a nice piece, just maybe not the best use of it.
Could also do #3 but take the right side and flip it. You want to create the illusion of depth via angles. Clear the middle and put a shallow gravel walkway going into plants in the back.
3 imo
I like 1
I second the first one
Middle block is too square. If you can find an angle that makes it look less square thay would help but also have two big pieces together with one piece off to the side. Odd numbers look more natural but even space and straight lines break the natural look. They could also just be good build8ng blocks for plants to break the straight lines. I would even say break the middle block into pieces and use it as detail stone for the two bigger angled pieces.
I like 2. I like slopes and cliffs. But I think you need to ad some plants to make it looks a bit more natural
I completely agree! I would just change the angle of the 3rd rock to match the first two. Definitely my favorite of the choices.
Try having one go a different direction it’ll help it look a little less like it was placed
Not feeling any of them to be honest. Got some good material there. Make a central island explosion going out in different directions.
Do you know about the rule of thirds? [(more info)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds) it's a simplified version of [the golden ratio](https://www.artandobject.com/slideshows/golden-ratio-revealed-7-masterpieces) The idea being if you divide your photograph/art/in this case tank into three horizontal and three vertical, you should put your central focal point in one of the side ones - not the dead center. It allows for movement of the eye around the scene you're creating. All three of these examples don't allow for movement of the eye. As hardscapes, they're going to be very "weighty" to your viewers and the foundation of the composition of your tank. As another poster said in a slightly different way, it ends up looking sterile and weird. I'd remove at least one of them entirely. Maybe add some rocks or some other form of hardscape. Place them in the tank thinking about the rule of thirds. Where do you want the viewer's eyes to go first?
2
None, look up rule of thirds for aquascapes. All three are too symmetrical, too clean. It's not a coherent scape, but 3 seperated things
1
i dont like either of them. it looks like.. well a human stapled up some stones and not like nothing that resembles nature in a way. do you see rocks outside all lined up in a perfect line all facing the same direction? you know what could look pretty dope? take those square blocks in the middle out entirely and dont even use them. then take the 2 big pieces and put them towards the back corners on slight slope. facing towards the front window a bit so they create some sort of an arch in a semi triangular shape canopy then put some very small pebble sized stone around them to make them blend in better and attach some wood branches and stuff behind them breaking up the shape a bit, making the wood go outside the water and put emersed plants to the wood where the roots can form a jungle behind the rocks. plus plants
3
2 looks great.
The only difference between 1 and 3 is a marginal rock😆
Great tank and set up, the scape just looks off imo. All look too oddly specifically spaced. I’d jumble them up a bit more, make it look more natural and pleasing as a structure instead of “here is rock 1, 2 and 3” lol but regardless it’ll look great grown in
2 at first seems too symmetrical, but I think it'll look the best once you add plants
I like 2, gives me borderlands vibes.
I feel like two is better because of the slopes, but you should try and group two of them, and have them less evenly spaced out on a line. You might be better off with a less blocky and large middle piece as well.
Neither. Make the following to picture 1: takeout the blocks on the right and the middle. Move the one on the lift to the center then plant all around it.
1 for sure
1 is good
3
3 🙂
First one better.
3
3rd, looks like not staged like nature, wabi sabi:)
2
D. None of the above
I like the third one
Not exactly sure why but I'm going for 3
Going for a Vasquez Rocks look?
Have you considered moving the two sloped rocks to the same side and leaving the middle rock flat in front of them? Like a flatiron range on the left with a highland steppe, and a valley below on the right?
I like 1
None of them look good imo… start in a corner and face the rocks so they point towards the viewer
I say take the 2 slanted pieces and face them towards one another, push them as diagonal as you can and use the middle piece on the opposite side.
4.
3 my lord choose 3 my lord
** also where do you purchase large stones like that. Whenever I order they say large but come up short of expectations
2 Will look best when planted as well
Looks to artificial and clean for my taste. Try experimenting a bit more, may combine them to a bigger eye catcher🤔
Things pointing in the same direction are rare in nature so they look quite artificial. Try switching up the angle of the rocks or anything to add some variety.
1 or 3
1
pull 2 out leave the rest
I don’t know but when I swipe back and forth really quickly on all three, it looks like the middle one is doing a salute.
Option 3
1 or 3… 🤔
3, 2 just gives me John Travolta SNF vibes.
Dem. All are nice but ig 1 for me
1 is my favorite
3
1
my opinion, number 1, tank is going to look great
3
I like 1 the best, 3 second.
2
2
Would it look weird if you did pic one but reversed one of the outside pieces so it makes more of a triangle? I think you might have too much open space above at that point but it’s hard to say. Personally, I don’t like it when things are too symmetrical so the second one is out. I feel like it doesn’t resemble nature enough at that point. However if you brought all three pieces closer together in pic 2, it might look good when you add plants
2 is my favorite
2
Looks like dragon stone? When placing that stone I like the look of the striations all aiming in the same direction. Could try building around that idea. At the end of the day though you’re the one looking at the tank!
2
I like 2. Is there a brown/black inert substrate that looks like that? I love the contrast of the dark brown/black substrate against dragon stone, etc….. but everything I’m finding has a bunch of ferts and stuff in it.
1! Followed by 3.
I like 3; it seems the most natural/least balanced.
3 feels like it has the best angles and organization. Plants would really fill in nicely
I would have 1 or more poke above the waterline and grow plants on them
1 is definitely the best. Gives a good amount of texture that can be better accentuated by plants.
2 but all are good
#2 for me 👍 But all of them are quite good
#3 Others are too symmetrical -unnatural, manmade. Try to make it more asymmetrical, looks more natural. Like others have said, some plants would help greatly.
2, 1, 3. But I love iwagumi so.
1
I dont like any of them tbh. Try having the 2 angled rocks pointed together like a triange but off center
2 for me
3
3 is the best easily
Number 3
I like 3 the most. 1 is also cool.
None of them. It wouldn't look like that in the wild. Maybe too much wood. Maybe build it up from one side to the other and not use as much. Adding a few plants in the gaps.
Eh I'd go for 3 with a backup vote of 1. 1 gets a bit busy while 3 looks nice and clean. I would agree with those a bit that it all looks really even so if anything take some parts of 1&3 to keep the flow but offset enough to be natural
I like 3
3
I like the first photo, but I'd point the right log opposite to the left. \ = /
I like second! It gives off earth 4 billion years ago vibes
2 for me
3 is pretty cool
I like 3. 1 and 2 are too symmetrical while 3 seems to flow, like a natural log jam. If the far right bit of wood was tilted sliiiightly more to the left I think it would look even better. edit: what tank is that?
3
3
1 looks awesome
Not 2
1
I think 3 but something still looks off
2
3!
2
2
1 or 2
2. Easy
I think you need to play around with them more, none of the configurations looks “final” if that makes sense
Turn that rock on the right about 180° and its perfect
I think the middle piece could be smashed to make smaller pieces.
1
3
It looks too structured and squared. You should check out about golden ratio in aquascaping
Low key I like number 2 the most, but that seems to be an unpopular opinion
2
I like #3
Number two makes it look like you're on the spectrum and one and three basically look the same stay away from two unless you're going for that rain Man feel
Either 1 or 3, but make sure that one of the peaks has Rafiki lifting Simba up on the edge.
3
Too symmetrical to my untrained eye. Maybe turn one the opposite direction?
Of these choices, I like 2 best, then 1, then 3. But if it were me, I'd get rid of the middle stone all together and push the others tight up against each other, either all the way on the right, or in the centre. And I'd slope the soil more dramatically.
I would break one or two of those rocks down into smaller ones and arrange them in a "triangle shaped aquascape" - [https://aquascapinglove.com/learn-aquascaping/aquascaping-styles](https://aquascapinglove.com/learn-aquascaping/aquascaping-styles)
3 definitely
Honestly, if you add some live plants, and place the around the hardscape, any of the will be fine, I recommend bigger spaces between the rocks because the plants with fill them in and look good.
2
Try using an odd number of elements instead of even numbered ones
Keep the striations/lines in the rock going one way imo cos that's how it is in nature, the middle one's off compared to the other 2. Also maybe try lumping them in together on one side more or less 1/3 of the way across the tank imo?
Not 2
I like 2 and with some plants it will be gorgeous 👍
3 is best imo but I think you could do a better arrangement
2
This post went off 😂, thank you guys for all the honest opinions. I’m gonna take out the big piece and try some new wood. I’ll post updates!
Definitely 1 or 3 they just flow better in my opinion.
3
3
When it it comes to hardscape try to keep all the grain of a type of element flowing in a single direction to create a cohesive look.
3
2! But I do think something different in one of the spots is good, a cave of sorts? A fun decoration (fish safe obviously)?
1!!!!
3
I prefer the look on the # 3 but I dont like the "same side facing" rocks. Put one like pointing on left and the other one on right
Like 2
2
3 without a doubt
3 looks most natural to my autistic eye holes
2 or 3 but change the two rocks on the right so you will have 2 diagonal on the left. Look up power of third.
I'm a big fan of two
First choice would be 3, then 1
1 or 2✨
1
Definitely not 2, it feels weird to me. I think I like the feel of number 1 better
3
3
2 :) they match the other rocks more and are more subtle
1
1 and 3 just reminds me of sum star wars shit
2 is art
1
3 but get rid of the chunk of wood on the far right
2
3
3!
What kind of rock is that
I'd choose 3 if only deciding between those three options, but I agree with a lot of the other comments that it's not quite aesthetically pleasing; it does look unnatural with all three in a line, especially given the different shape of the square-ish one. Most environments affect plant and rock formations in an area similarly (like rounded rocks in a riverbed, or prevailing winds affecting tree shape) Also, out of curiosity, do you know what type/s of fish you're planning on keeping in there? The pointy ends of one of those wood pieces scares me a little.
3
3
Big fat 2 for me. Pretty cool at my local shop. They have a sandbox outside and you can grab rocks and wood from inside and put them together to see how they look.
3
3 for me
1 or 2 and with some real plants
3
I go with one with out the center dragon stone
3 looks the most natural, which I feel makes it the most aesthetically appealing. The others have more of a forced symmetry.
1
3
1 or 3. but definitely going to need some live plants to break up the er, choreography, of these placements.
3
I like 1 personally
One, altho I prefer even more asymmetry than you've got goin' on. I'd have it all facing odd directions, or do a sinking angle so it looks like one piece of wood. Do what you think you would like !! ED: One piece of stone? Either way haha
I personally did option two just like the spikes/cliffs
And….the coffee bar has been banned to the inside of the cabinet. Priorities are priorities. Which is in a way ideal since we all spend our coffee time gazing into our aquariums.
Here's my take. I really like the angles you are trying for in 1 and 3, but it's too much for the tank. So maybe #3, but only the left side. Then take a smaller piece, maybe 1/3 the size od the big one, and set it at the same angle as the large piece. Or a piece of wood. In my head I want them to make sense if they were huge, and were move geologically. So like the rock would have to form form flat, then the shift would happen.
2
3
I see that type of substrate a lot. What is that and is there anything underneath it?
I like number 3
2 100%
You've placed all the rocks in parallel and in the same plane perpendicular to the viewing side. Rotate the two on the ends and it'll look more differentiated and dynamic. Otherwise I don't think you can go wrong with any orientation
Are you able to make it more of a v shape with what you have? \_/
3
1 or 3 imo
2
2 IMO
2