Jared Andrews

I spent an incredible amount of time placing and moving the hardscape around. Once I felt good about it I added substrate. I used "CaribSea Eco-Complete" black soil in mesh bags to provide support with a beach sand as the top layer. I added and removed substrate numerous times. I am very lucky I did not crack the bottom of the tank moving those rocks around. It would have been wise to place a towel down while trying out arrangements prior to adding substrate.

I finally came to this design. I really liked the ideas it gave me when I looked at it. I could envision a little java moss forest between the rocks and the left side of the spiderwood, some sort of plant crawling up the wood and out of the water. I enjoyed the little crags and caves that emerged from the orientation of the rocks. I could see crypt plants wedged in them or baby fish hiding away.

I filled the tank up 25% with water from another tank. I dropped a used filter in it and stuck an airline in it to cause circulation. I also put the sponge of my new sponge filter into one of my grandpas tanks to soak.