Ash Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 Before After Reason for substrate change was the plants just didn't stand a chance in the long term & I'm not happy with fakes - without plants there was no contrast, it was just a dark boring tank (IMO) What do ya reckon? Is sand a goer? It's river sand collected from a friend's property. Also there is only a single 4' fluro in the "after" pics, the before there was a 130w CF as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pride Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 I think the change looks good Ash. I reckon the colours of the big fella there contrast nice to the lighter substrate. Love that background! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phenomena Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 I personally prefer 'before' just because it's dimmer not the color of the subtrate. It brings out more color of the fish. 'After' is too bright because of the lighting. I like a dimmed tank. IMO, it'll look better with less lighting. Even my 8fter with 2.5ft high has only one 36watt tube. It's more than enough for my liking. But it's all personal preference. BTW, that back ground is simply stunning!!! Which type is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 It's a Universal Rocks background, apparently I've installed it upside down? Here's a link to it on their website --> Click me Regarding lighting, there is only a single 36w tube in there now - the 130W CF was installed when it was darker as illogical as that sounds, see how the right hand side is brighter? The difference shows how reflective the sand is compared to the grey gravel as there is 1/4 the light over the tank in the after shots! The "before" tank photographed better than it looked, trust me. edit: Oh yeah, the tank had only been refilled about 3 hrs when I took those "after" pics, so there is some silt in the water column making everything look brighter as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickgibbo Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 I love the first one as well, the second looks great, but the first one looks so natural Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 I have to say that I like the before shot as well. I'm sure your new setup isn't finished yet though . Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullmetal Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 I like the before pic too It's got more wood and the plants. Maybe after you put the plants in it'll give us a fairer judgement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citypainter Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 Always a matter of opinion. I like after better. Has the substarte change also changed the Ph. By the way i think your Synsplum is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted December 28, 2005 Author Share Posted December 28, 2005 Guys guys! I made the change because the plants were being torn up. Without the plants it was all grey & too dark, so really I wasn't choosing between before with plants or after without - it was simply a substrate change as plants were not possible & without them there was no contrast. I also haven't sorted out which pieces of wood get back into the tank. Citypainter - both substrates were inert so there's been no change to pH or hardness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camo Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Hey Before is better for me. The colour of the fish is more vibrant in the before photo. Cheers Cameron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6C1 Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Definitly before. Is the Synsplum a red headed cichlid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 ya, same fish different name I'll have to get some more updated pics of the tank now the fish have settled down & I've had more time to sort out decoration. I guess I'm just sick of the dark substrate as I've looked at it daily for the last two years & you guys haven't, I used to love it too but in person it is too dark. Also bear in mind the "before" shot is colour corrected so it looks brighter than in person, whereas the sand photographs were right straight off the camera. The "before looks more natural" comments are confusing, I switched from crushed & size graded rock to natural river sand & rocks - it could only be more natural if I got it from Lake Nic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wui39 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I like the dark tank, if you don't want the stuff I'll take it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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