u/TurquoisePeach

I posted about a month ago asking for advice on my hardscape layout, and I wanted to show an update now that I've got some plants in. I did a dark start, and so far the plants seem to be doing really well! No melt that I can see. I'm happy with the direction this tank is headed, especially as my first serious foray into aquascaping.

Some plans I have:

replace surface skimmer with one integrated in the lily pipes as well as add a reliever on the outlet

Put the light on a riser

Add more plants (mosses, more epiphytes, floaters, and background plants), honestly as many more plants as I can fit!

Add botanicals

Eventually add fish (this has been such an exercise in patience!!)

Open to any and all suggestions and critiques! And thank you to everyone who made suggestions on my last post.

I tried tons of layouts with these pieces of wood and got it to a visually pleasing point that I was fairly happy with (as seen in the last 3 pics before adding more aquasoil and sand). Now that I've added the slope, it of course is laying differently than before and I'm less happy with it.

I will be adding rocks!! Just don't have them yet. I know that'll probably help a ton. And the wood will go deeper into the substrate too. And I think a couple of twigs here and there will look more natural too.

I plan on planting heavily too. Adding botanicals. Etc.

Considering making somewhat of a path to draw the eye from bottom left to top right.

I'm open to suggestions, critiques, opinions, etc! Let me know what you think. Willing to scrap the whole thing and go in a totally different direction too. Please help! Thank you!!

This is a Mr. Aqua 17 gallon tank, btw. Approximately 23Lx12Wx14H give or take 1/2 an inch.