6.6 Aquascape

Today was a big day for the 6.6. It was officially finished cycling...

the colors of a cycled tank

...so once the temperature was where it belonged, Jerkface went in. He's still getting used to his new surroundings, and has been lurking by the heater with just his head hidden behind the intake. I don't think he knows we can see his body.

Once it was cycled and he was in, I took a look at how freaking ugly it was...

...and went to the Aquarium Advice forum (henceforth AA) for assistance. I showed them the tank and asked what they suggested. I got two responses (so far) that gave me some help. They think the driftwood is too large, and really, it is. I'd prefer something small and delicate, but when I find it, I find it. For now, I have that piece.
 
Here is what I came up with:

I put a black background on it. I flipped the driftwood around so it takes up less space. I put a large anubias in the 55, and replanted all the ludwigia and other anubias and ferns in different spots. I brought over one of the giant java ferns from the 55 as well. And I did some wisteria pruning in the 55 and brought a fair amount of it over. Lastly, I tied the riccia to the rock on the left. I was going to let it float, but it won't float. Oddly enough. The tank looks better in person than it does in the photo.

wisteria, riccia on the rock, more wisteria, and java ferns on the driftwood, with ludwigia in the background

the driftwood

 

 

ludwigia, anubias in the driftwood, anubias on the rock, wisteria and the java fern from the 55

the view from the average Joe in the kitchen

So now I have some waiting to do. Yeah, I want to find better driftwood, but with Christmas coming, it's not a priority. Next time I'm on Aquabid or eBay or at Wet Pet maybe I'll take a peek. I need a small piece, and I think something more delicate would look better. However, the money needs to be spent on the rugrats in the near future. But the waiting has begun in terms of growth. Once things have gotten going and growing, then I can see what else needs done.