Changing tank scenery...

[TheRainbowFish]

Hey hows it going ; )
I have 2 tanks, ones a 8g planted tank that I use for a fry raising/birthing tank that Ive recently added live plants to. (First time keeping livies!) My 20g normal tank is currently looking a little boring, naturalish but fake, whereas the 8g looks alive and real which I really like.
How can I recontruct my main tank without having to cycle again plus change substrate? Any ideas?

In the 20 I have 4 mollies and 1 goldfish.
I know Im eventually going to change it now that its not appealing...no matter how hard i resist it, i just will. Advice?

 

[misterking]

First of all I'd take the goldfish out, it's generally bad to mix tropicals (mollies) with coldwater (goldfish) long term, and unless it's a fancy variety (so fantail, oranda etc) it'll be too big for the tank in the long run. Also, if you want to use live plants in there, you'll have a job finding anything pretty that the goldfish won't tear to pieces.

What about it makes it look fake? Is is the substrate, decor, fake plants or a mixture? Any chances of a pic?

 

[TheRainbowFish]

Heres a pic of the current tank scene and one of the 8g tank. (Not very good, one taken at day and one at night...) The main tank just seems so...lifeless and fake?

 

[RexyTexel]

Personally I think it looks fine. I'd keep the substrate because I think sand looks a lot nicer than gravel. Maybe you could take the plastic plants out and get silk plants? I think they look a lot nicer than plastic and they're a little safer for the fish.

I agree about the goldfish, though. They shouldn't be mixed and that thing will eat all your plants if you go live.

 

[ValRasbora]

I agree with Rexy, it dosen't look bad at all, and silk plants look much more real than plastic. Maybe just moving the plants and decor around will help? About the goldfish: They don't like the same temp. as tropicals, they're better kept away from tropicals for that reason. I know how you feel, sometimes tanks look bland!
Good luck figuring out what you want to do!

 

[misterking]

The thing with silk plants is they're a PAIN to keep clean - when algae grows on them (and it will) it's near enough impossible to get it off without fraying the fabric of the leaves. Personally I'd go with some low maintenence real plants, the ones you have in your 8 gallon could probably be cut and replanted in the 20. You could also do plants like java fern, vallis, java moss and other hardy plants.

In terms of decor, you could use smooth river rocks which would tie in much better with the gravel than the sharp edged rocks and brick you have in there, therefore making it look more like a stoney-bedded stream.

 

[Matt Nace]

I have dipped silk plants in a diluted bleach solution with some success. The silk plants overall look nice but in the long run dont hold up like the plastic.I found they start to shred and fray over time. I personally would not buy silk again.

If it is possible..why not move those real ones over like Misterking suggested or by some other get some Java fern or other