First timer NEWA Mirabello 60

[Keith GH]

Niton
Is this the one you are referring to?
It's certainly not central but as far as the thirds are concerned it looks perfect.

As yours is viewed from all sides a central Aquascape would be perfect. It will require a mound like above low but not too low and only low plants otherwise one viewing side will be blocked.

Wow that is a very interesting photo of a very good selection of well sculptured rocks.

Note on the Aquascape all the visible rocks are not in a perfect curved line and not touching each other.

In you Aquascape it would be a case of placing the DW in the center and supporting it will the biggest rocks tapering to the smaller rocks to get the overall shape.
As you place the rocks the substrate can be added between the rocks for the plants.

Your next step is start on the Mock Tank its not just for beginners I know Tim uses it and another Aquascaper prepares his competition Aquascapes that way as soon as his tank is completed he is working on the next Aquascape in the Mock Tank.

Tims well made Mock Tank

Keith

 

[Niton]

OK - no real updates. Will hopefully setting up a mock tank tonight/tomorrow.
Instead I've been getting together a load of prepatory bits and pieces - pH meter /TDS meter (just ebay cheap ones).

Also been considering power cable management and figuring out how best to reduce 3 separate power supplies to just one! Think I've resolved it with the use of a raspberry pi and some relays to create a very basic smart aquarium!

Anyway - will update over the weekend with some ideas on hardscape in the mock tank.

 

[Niton]

@Keith GH found the source of that image:



Think I have a good idea how to go with this. Look forward to feedback on the ideas....

 

[Niton]

The plan today is to play around with this stuff.





And fit it into the mock tank in a nice way!



Proposed layouts to follow if I get some time!

 

[Niton]

OK so first rookie mistake made...
I knew the box the tank came in was bigger by about 50mm in all dimensions (to allow for packaging). I figured this wasn't too much of a difference and would still give me an idea for layout.

As soon as I placed the internal filter, as shown in the picture previously, I saw how big the difference was. Giving a wholly false perception of the tank and available space.

So I've been busy reducing the box to realistic (hopefully more accurate) measurements

Pleased with the result and can start mocking layouts properly.

 

[Niton]

Here is attempt one.

Difficult to photograph. I'm fairly pleased with it but there are some problem areas I'll need to think about. Will not say what as I'm interested in unbiased impressions!

 

[Niton]

Double post edit

 

[J@mes]

Might be worth considering a cut out on both sides

 

[Niton]

@J@mes yeah probably will. Was just making sure not to take all of the strength out of the box.

 

[J@mes]

I like your use of card rather than the extra work for ply or mdf. You’ve inspired me to make one myself.

 

[Niton]

Took @J@mes advice to heart and cut the sides off the box. Now I can photo the landscape easier but have lost sense of tank height. Hope these pictures prove useful...

 

[Niton]

Last for today. Numbered the pieces so I can put them in the tank in the correct places!

 

[J@mes]

Did you cut off the other 2 sides? With the corners on you could put a ‘lid’ on it. I hope I didn’t complicate things too much!

 

[Keith GH]

Niton

Cutting all the sides out its a first for me never seen it before. To me its very confusing looking at your Mock Tank. OK it might be easier to photograph for you but never heard of that before.
In other words for someone who has been recommending the Mock Tank for many years on this and other Forums I would never recommended it.

Making out of cardboard is OK but has its restrictions. Using a solid material it can be used many times and size changed very easily.

After you cut the sides have you changed any of the hardscape if not I can see a few points that I would change.

Keith

 

[Niton]

Hi @Keith GH . I've not changed anything from the photos taken. All the photos are of the same setup.

What are your thoughts?

 

[J@mes]

Niton

Cutting all the sides out its a first for me never seen it before.

They have a glass one at Aquarium Gardens

 

[Niton]

Please see the latest attempt @ https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/first-timer-mirabello-60.53452/

 

[Harry H]

Took delivery of the bog wood today. Three nice big pieces.

View attachment 116302

View attachment 116302

View attachment 116304

I'll need to cut some it to fit in the tank. I'll not be using all of it just the interesting pieces that would fit an island or peninsula in conjunction with the stones. The wife would like a moss 'tree' and scape but I'm not sure that's feasible in such a low tech setup.

Anyone have any suggestions on how best to cut these (positionally I mean - I've plenty of sawing implements! ).

Niton, where did you get your bog wood from please?

 

[Niton]

I got it from ebay. There is quite a lot on there.

 

[Niton]

If anyone has been keeping an eye on my critique post I've pretty much settled on a layout.

So next step is to prepare the tank.

I've got some of this stuff

To serve as a base in the tank. I've seen a few people who recommended using something before the substrate and hardscape (is it to protect the tank or improve water circulation?)

Before fitting I'll clean the tank. Updates to follow...