Should I bother?

[keone]

Hey all!

I'm new to this - I never built a hardscape before and although going very slow I think the trunk is getting some shape now. I frankenstined a few roots for it and used some moldable epoxy (mulliput) to help build up the root. But it's greyish in color.
I read the spiderwood will become dark eventually and moss will cover the most part of it anyway, but i'm not sure if some small part will stay visible. Should I somehow color it or use some sawdust to cover it?

I love to hear how you go about doing this - I'm still learning and love to get some feedback or tips!

It's nowhere near finished - but since the trunk has a nice flow now i think I want to start building the rest but won't do so if i cant fix the roots yet.

 

[FrozenShivers]

For someone who's new to this you've done a very convincing job of making the scape look like a tree trunk with naturally flowing roots, great work 🙂 A little trick that many scalpers use when they glue pieces of hardscape together is just crumble some aquasoil/decorative sand onto the glue before it dries to cover the white glue residue that is otherwise left. You could probably do similar here. Another option is to strategically place your moss onto the epoxy sections to cover them. I'm not sure what colour the epoxy goes when wet as I've never used it.

 

[Maf 2500]

I agree it will be hard to notice once the tank has grown in and it has moss or epiphytes growing on it. Even biofilm will help. For future reference they make a terracotta coloured version of Milliput which would blend in better with some wood tones.

 

[simon_the_plant_nerd]

I’ve used Milliput in my custom sticks too. In my experience, I’d recommend trying to hide it with something. Not because it will stick out like a sore thumb but just because you will know it’s there. Moss and epiphytes would work great or just strategic placement to draw the eye elsewhere.

I’ve had some of the brown putty in my tank for a year and it still looks like putty. I don’t get much algae in my tank though which would help hide it a bit.