Fangorn Forest Aquascape! Hardscape Transfer Walkthrough, Light Panels, and Plant Selection

[@megleland6320]

This is the type of content that made me a KZbin watching fanatic the last few years. This type of nerdy-niche content couldn't be made or viewed in any other way. I love watching you do what you love Taylor; we all need to keep giving the child inside space to play!

[@megleland6320]

Add: Wow, I guess it has been more than a "few" years, since I have been watching you from all the way back to Bag End. Time flies!

[@SimplyBetta]

haha thank you, that's nice to know! And thanks for sticking around for so long! :D

[@thetropicalscaper974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHbm6mgj7Scpdk

[@nightlyrowentree6047]

The light in the background makes me think when Gandalf shows himself whith his blinding staff light to aragorn gimli and legolas its soooo cool and I'm super excited for more tidbits of it creation

[@SimplyBetta]

Right!? Thank you, I'm glad you like it :)

[@FishForThought]

it is coming together so well

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks! :D Lots to do still :P

[@SimplyBetta]

Plants are coming! What do you think of the selection, guys? have any thoughts or ideas of other plants that would look nice in there? I put all the links to other videos and to stuff in the video description, check it out!

[@tonyp8762]

BBA w/ Phantom Tetras =)! The long algae will sway in the flow and fish like ghosts, hehe.

[@simonwilliams841]

You have to include Cryptocoryne Lutea 'Hobbit'

[@pirnotlie]

The Lobelias have my vote, as it's a nod to some distant relations to our favorite hobbits. Or perhaps a reason to exclude them since she's a jealous one?

[@dragonwithamonocle]

Susswassertang is always a good choice! Java fern Windelov might make a couple cute little gnarly bushes. EDIT: Bucephalandra "Brownie" might be your dark/red buce checked off.

[@nabokovfan87]

Forgot to pin the comment @simply Betta Because it's fangorn I would really encourage that mushy, thick, grubby "marsh like" moss. If you remember the scene from the movie, when frodo steps and falls in the bog with the ancient soldiers, the texture of that is what I imagined the floor of fangorn is described as. Honestly, a mix of pelia moss and specifically marimo moss balls cut flat on the mountain stone surfaces around the roots is what I think pulls off the look. Weeping moss is a must, droopy moss. Small versions of buce in the tops of the wood give you the scale and the shape that you're after. I think hygro pinnatifida as a feature is a fantastic idea. Anubias nana petite, other very very small shaped things would be great. Bonus points for making a to scale orc that treebeard steps on and a figure of merry / pippin on the wood piece you didn't cut short.

[@CichlidAquariums]

I love the look of "moss". Living in the NW it brings a sence of home. Hmmmm, this is inspiring me. 😁

[@darlenesawyer6739]

I think you are Awesome not a Nerd! Love your creativity.

[@stevensimonelli5172]

Absolutely incredible hardscape! Beautiful

[@simonark1176]

Just subscribed based on this video!! Best forest scape I've ever seen.... Ive seen lots. Great artist, so much consideration and devotion 😊

[@lakeshiamills1454]

I'm really loving this series. I have a 90 gallon I scored free from a local hobbyist but I still need to build a stand for it and add the sump. This is giving me tons of inspiration

[@thetropicalscaper974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHbm6mgj7Scpdk

[@RyoWatanabee]

Can't wait can't wait!! So excited to see it all come alive :D

[@thetropicalscaper974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHbm6mgj7Scpdk

[@BBsBeasties]

Absolutely obsessed with this entire process! I CANNOT wait to see the finished product!

[@SimplyBetta]

Haha thank you!

[@juliefisher9361]

When you turned the light panel on I went "DAYUM GIRRRRL" that is awesome! Your channel brings me so much happiness!

[@SimplyBetta]

Haha YES that was my thought as I turned it on, too! Thank you ♡♡♡

[@kusinanimamay02]

Really great ideas, Can't wait to see it coming together!

[@dillonbaker5978]

You are my favorite youtuber ever you got me into the hobby a couple years ago and have keep me in it thank you so much for making all of these videos you are such an inspirational person

[@mingbritson]

How fantastic -- literally!!! Can't wait to see the plants added and OMG what fish??? Ugh! So exciting and as always, love-love-love your videos!

[@SimplyBetta]

haha I appreciate your enthusiasm! I'm waiting for my plants now, I hope they get here soon so I can hurry up and film!! I'm still considering livestock, lol! Shrimp in my future, maybe? :D

[@janeymay9470]

hydrocotyle Japan would be a nice touch to get a vine like plant on the trees too! I cannot wait to see it done.

[@SimplyBetta]

Totally!

[@lynnbonica4342]

I loved your Bag Ends(?) tank. I was sad to see it go. You did such an awesome job on it, I can't wait to see what you do with this one.

[@8ducks269]

Oh I gotta watch this when I get a minute! Awesome idea

[@5020886]

I have 3 tanks and my cousin has a few more, hats off to the amount of time and dedication you put in your tanks. I just found your channel browsing through and Subscribed !!

[@BeeKayCee911]

Hi Nice to see you again. 👍🐠It's Looking Fantastic Can't wait to see it👍🐠

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you! :)

[@lemonlizard1]

I love the plant ideas! I would recommend: hygrophila pinnitafida (you already mentioned this one but I really do like it), bolbitis (very fern-like and is an epiphyte like java moss), bucephalandra 'kedagang' or 'red' would be a good brown/reddish plant. I think lobelia cardinalis would look amazing, weeping moss might be better than Christmas moss since it's more droopy. Ludwigia palustris 'super red' or alternanthera sp would look great! It also might be cool to add some dwarf hairgrass as a small detail foreground plant and a small long-rooted floater like salvinia or floating frogbit. Floating plants really do help with a jungly vibe in my opinion. 14:19 this is a buce kedegang I believe Good Luck!

[@SimplyBetta]

Hey thank you! Whew, I'm glad you said kedagang gets dark because I ordered a bunch of it! All the online photos look green so I had my doubts I was making the right choice.

[@lemonlizard1]

@@SimplyBetta the colour does vary quite a bit but in general, it's usually a dark shade of green, sometimes even has a brownish/rust-like tint to it

[@phoenixloftfarm5352]

Ah, I have always enjoyed watching your different KZbin video’s. Lol I do miss your bettas but yes I know you can’t make anymore because of your move. You have really motivated me to even starting to do my own aquarium 🤙. Keep making videos and hopefully you have more plants and bettas for sale 😛

[@cyndifalk]

Love that hardscape! Can't wait to see it coming together!

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you so much! :D

[@Glauber753]

Greetings from Brazil! Well done! Inspirational aquarium🙌!

[@md3631363]

This is so awesome! Looks like it's going to be an amazing tank! :)

[@deannalight4851]

I'm so excited to see this progress. I can totally envision what you are creating. Love it. Though, I am no expert in what plants to advise you to use. But from what I have seen others do, moss is definitely a must. I trust you know what you are doing and that whatever you decide to execute.... It would look amazingly mythical and ethereal. Keep up the great work.

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it :)

[@nextmoreinc]

loooving the content!! you always touch us with the epicness!! shoutout from Scandinavia

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks so much, I appreciate it!

[@-SWE-StarLord]

Love ur voice and ur tank of course..glad to find u...Cant wait for more content...

[@Guerosaquasource]

Such an awesome concept for a aqauscape well done

[@SimplyBetta]

Hey thank you! I'm really enjoying it :)

[@NyteFlyer]

Great video, I love your LOR theme. I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks so much! This is making my soul happy. But now I have a LOT of expectations to live up to! 😬

[@IbrisOfAmber]

The hard-scape is looking absolutely gorgeous! So excited to see where it goes once your plants arrive. My dream is to build a LOTR themed aquascape in the future. So watching yours steadily progress feeds my soul 😊💛

[@SimplyBetta]

I appreciate that, thank you!! I hope you do a LOTR themed one too, what would you do?

[@thetropicalscaper974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHbm6mgj7Scpdk

[@lazi5540]

I missed you and your content 🥰 I know it’s a busy time of year but I’m so happy to see you post

[@SimplyBetta]

Hey thanks! :D

[@mattgray9297]

Great video! This was a lot of work. Respect.

[@SimplyBetta]

Much appreciated!

[@Goudvis77]

What a great scape you made, love the wood btw...inspiration 😎

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks so much! I go into more detail on the wood and plant selection earlier in the Fangorn series if you want a better look : )

[@Goudvis77]

@SimplyBetta will do 👌🏻

[@CanadianFarmGirl1]

Absolutely incredible!!!

[@KerriGilpin]

I wouldn’t cut that large piece of driftwood either, the lid can work around it! Looks so good so far, can’t wait to see the plants in there!

[@SmartiesCereal]

It looks amazing, and I can't wait to see your progress next time!

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks so much! Next will be plants!!

[@James_NatureAquatics]

Ricardia, weeping, and spiky moss. Trident fern for tree tops. Marsilea, dwarf hairgrass, glossostigna mixes for carpeting. Rotala bonsai give a good distant tree effect. ECHINODORUS TENELLUS be good fire and mid ground. ROTALA "NANJENSHEN" and BANGLADESH could work good background for fine leaf texture or a myrio species. Anubias nana and nana petite along with mini coin if you can find it. Bucephalandra kedagang fits the profile you mentioned with it’s dark leaves that are blue to purple and red stems. What we were using at aquashella so much of. I’m sure I could come up with more if I think a while lol.

[@SimplyBetta]

Hello! Thanks for your thoughts! I have a bunch of those on their way to me now, but some I hadn't considered. Luckily I have a whole lot of kedagang coming to me, wohoo! I was nervous about that since most all pics online are of it being super green, it's good to know you're experience is that it gets darker!

[@James_NatureAquatics]

@@SimplyBetta oh your welcome! It’s going to be epic once you get it all planted! odd they have kedagang being green. All I have ever gotten from Tropica is a deep dark green almost blue with little spots on the leaves. It’s stems have a nice red contrast. Wavy green is similar in shape and all but very green. Of course lighting does matter in the photo taken. I run the same lights you have so should show nice dark leaves!

[@chrissyosborne3879]

I absolutely love the tank progress! I can't wait to see the next video!

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'll have that next video done really soon :)

[@SusanforSLCAquatics]

an absolutely awesome thought and hard work! I love it! I love your plant ideas too and leaf litter! thats gonna be so cool! I can't wait for the next video, but I guess I'll have to! Ha! Merry Christmas to you and your family and pets! Love you!

[@lmp8932]

So far so good, it's looking really great! I can hardly wait for the finished project, you are so clever 🙂 I look at my 4ft (1.2m) tall and think how boring it is, it has rocks of differing sizes, driftwood but the only plants are Pothos and floating Bacopa. It's the fishes fault! Any small plants are pulled out by my three 'giants - a Pakistani Loach, a 'gold algae eater' and a 'Siamese flying fish' (I did have three of these but two died) - all are over 6 inches (approx 16.5cm) long and quite tubby. They are my beautiful bulldozers... one day I'll start again. 🙃

[@SimplyBetta]

hah! Well there's only so much you can do with bulldozer fish

[@hobbitninja]

Nice epoxy work

[@casima]

Hydrocotyle tripartita Japan - would make great "vines" going up your trees. Love the hardscape!!

[@lilirose72]

Anubias 'Pangolino' and allll the Buce!!! But definitely the Pangolino, it looks like little tiny tree leaves and would give exactly the impression you're looking for!

[@SimplyBetta]

Ooo, I love pangolino :D

[@tanikmarine]

Excellent and professional video 👍👍👍

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you :)

[@judevicious3333]

I am absolutely IN LOVE with these ideas and I am SO excited to see it all come together!!! 😁😁😁😁 I can't wait to see the depth idea with the plants making it look further back than it really is. I love the illusion aspect of it. I'm so excited!!! These are brilliant ideas!!! 😁😁😁

[@thetropicalscaper974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHbm6mgj7Scpdk

[@SamPonjican]

So glad to hear you mention Cryptocoryne parva. It's the only low, grasslike plant I've been able to grow in low light, and as you've said - Fanghorn Forest and bright lighting just don't go together. The only real downside is how slow it grows, which means you'll have to make room in the budget for a lot of plants to start with, but it will be worth it! Another low light option I like is pearlweed, but it can take more work to keep it trimmed down low where it will send runners with delicate light green leaves. But if you're going to do mosses, you'll already have the scissors out regularly anyway to keep the mowed down nice and tight.

[@SimplyBetta]

I love crypt parva! I ordered a few tissue cultures, but I also have my own supply throughout all my tanks here at my house :P Pearlweed would be nice! I forgot about how nice and small those leaves are

[@GeekBoi]

I love in Colorado. It is VERY dry here. You can practically watch the water level dropping. I've found the small inexpensive ATO setups with optical sensors work very well for dealing with the evaporation. A 7 gallon rv water jug lasts over a month in an open top 90g tank. It's easy to top off the ato reservoir every other water change.

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks for the tips! Even WITH a lid with minimal gaps, I'll need an ATO solution like yours. I'm super dry over here, too! D:

[@ScottyAquatty]

Looking great so far can’t wait to see what it becomes. ❤

[@donhabel1590]

Can't wait to see the finished product looking great so far 👍👍

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you!

[@fishiemon64]

The hard scape looks amazing , this video inspires me to do better

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you

[@salem3662]

I would use some floating plants in airline corrals around the trees to act like leaves and darken the tank more- something like tiny duckweed or maybe trying azolla caroliniana. I would also get a couple marimo and break them apart and jam their bits between rocks.

[@brettkreider18]

Oooo I’m excited to see this!

[@jpkruger6333]

Looks awesome, liked and subscribed, keep up the awesomeness :)

[@Total_Lock_Down]

I love it!!!! What an awsome idea 💡

[@smtanweeraftab8006]

Wooooooooooow , its like a dream setup for me really , just awesome 😍🤩

[@sebramski1]

hi great video, finally got around to see it, as plants go i'd go for dark plants. lots of loose bits on the leaves instead of whole and neat looking leafs. bucephalandra kedagang is a good example ( also in mini version ). good luck with making choices !

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you, I'm glad I've ordered a bunch of kedagang! I was nervous doing it since most online pics show it as bright green

[@sebramski1]

@@SimplyBetta mine are dark green with a bit of red in the stems. im always nervous when buying plants, of substrate, or fish.... damn this hobby is nerfwrecking ! hahaha lol

[@666Maeglin]

Awesome idea for the tank, it will be great!! However you sawing the trees to size was cutting at the same time into my aesthetic soul..

[@SimplyBetta]

**cries** I wish I didn't need a lid. I'm totally cutting a notch in it though for the massive tree, haha

[@M3lart]

😍It looks so good!!!! Maybe some floating plants for the illusion of a forest canopy and the spooky roots hanging down 🤔

[@SimplyBetta]

Yeah, I'll do something for a hint of a canopy!

[@randihardy6642]

Looking so great! I wish i could help with plants but im not experoenced. The stuff u mentioned looks good though!

[@hychamharouchi7614]

Great video! I like where you are going with the plant selection. Maybe you could try marsilea hirsuta toward the front and marsilea crenata toward the back. Since crenata is smaller, this would increase the sense of depth like with the anubias. There are also new mini leaf bucephalandra from tropica it may be worth looking into it. Keep up the good work!

[@SimplyBetta]

Ooo thanks hycham! I didn't realize that crenata was that much smaller ♡♡ I ordered some mini catherine buce from buceplant as a teeny tiny buce option for the back, I hope it looks nice with the massive amounts of buce kedagang I ordered!

[@davidbaker6382]

Looks fantastic Taylor!! The plant ideas sound really great especially the mosses. I'm not a big fan of leaf litter in tanks, but I'm sure there is plenty in Fanghorn in Middle Earth...Will there be a couple of Hobbits? I can't wait to see how the sump works...You are very patient, I wouldn't be able to stop myself getting the water in rather than a dry start.

[@joshuamajoor2279]

You should look into a leaf shaped hole punch and make mini leafs for your leaf litter out of larger catappa leaves. As if you have all the time in the world lol. Can’t wait to see the finished tank.

[@SimplyBetta]

**gasp*** ... you're hacking me, aren't you. Guess what.... guess what I bought and am patiently waiting for?

[@joshuamajoor2279]

@@SimplyBetta I really respect your level of craziness tabby tabaxi.

[@naegwut]

Can't wait to see more!

[@SimplyBetta]

Coming soon! :D

[@edd292]

I NEED more of this!!! Pretty please

[@SimplyBetta]

haha yes, soon!

[@philcarlino6942]

Mini bolbitis and narrow leaf java fern could give it a very old look, too. Cryptocoryne var. hobbit seems too good to pass up as well. Looking forward to the next video, take care!

[@SimplyBetta]

I.... I forgot about crypt lutea "hobbit". I forgot that existed. **furiously orders more plants**

[@philcarlino6942]

@@SimplyBetta one thing I've learned in this hobby is you can never have too many plants. The budget will figure itself out lol

[@GROCK619]

Thank s TAY.. nice work!!

[@SimplyBetta]

My pleasure!

[@jrperez1840]

Can't wait to see the next few steps

[@SimplyBetta]

Next up: dry starting my plants and mosses! :D

[@jrperez1840]

@@SimplyBetta awsomnesss

[@iliaselmezayn5238]

Hey! I think lilaeopsis brasiliensis would work very wel as a ground cover plant in this scape too! Really loving the video series on this tank btw :D

[@EtienneBlais]

I'm not sure if I'm too late but here are my recommendations mosses: - Mini Christmas moss - Fissidens nobilis - Fissidens fontanus - Riccardia chamedryfolia - weeping moss Accent plants - cryptocoryne petchii (not becketii petchii, just petchi) It's a nice light brown narrow leaved smaller sized crypt - Cryptocoryne lucens (light green, very slow grower, looks and grows like Crypt. parva but bigger) - ranunculus inundatus (fast grower but awesome) - hydrocotyle verticillata - Littorella uniflora - hygrophila lancea araguaia (nice red stem that can be used in the foreground for a unique texture) - I agree with marsilea hirsuta Epiphytes anubias nana petite anubias pangolino (very small, very expensive) anubias chili (very small, expensive, hard to find) bucephalandra kedagang (from tropica) it can get very dark purpleish black, it's the most common dark sp buce sp red (from tropica) nice color submersed but not very dark buce black rosa nice smaller sp buce mini round leaf, any small rounded buce you can find, buce brownie purple small type buce red mini crepidomanes (any of them they are all awesome) bolbitis heteroclita difformis it'll take ages to convert to submersed growth but I think it's worth the wait. or bolbitis heudelotii difformis it's a few cm bigger and I thinks will look nicer in it's submersed shape too. Microsorum trident mini (tiny variety that grows into a dense droopy clump, perfect for spots near the surface, since it doesn't grow upwards background plants Cryptocoryne undulatus red from Tissue culture (From tc only, the potted ones tend to grow massive) rotala tulunadensis cryptocoryne tropica (brown and lots of texture) my insta is @ptit_pecheur is you want more plant recommendations or tips. I love your hardscape, it's awesome!

[@cshimi]

This tank has inspired me so much. I bought a big 90 gallon tank a few months ago that I want to eventually model similar to yours. As of now I don't even have a spot for my tank to go, so I still have plenty of time to gather supplies 😅 It's definitely a large scale project. I want to use a lot of low growing plants as well, definitely lots of moss and mini jungle val. I also want a few plants with runners reaching the surface, like banana plants and water lilies.

[@SimplyBetta]

take your time! I've been gathering supplies for this one for like, 2 years, haha. Good luck!

[@thetropicalscaper974]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHbm6mgj7Scpdk

[@GupPi_3.14]

Looking good I was going to say ferns or fern like plants as LOTR was filmed in kiwi land keep up the good work

[@SimplyBetta]

Yeah!! haha thank you

[@dylans.1741]

You are probably the only person I know who would make an LOTR themed fish tank 😎

[@SimplyBetta]

^_^

[@sunlounger29]

Love the scape! Maybe you should also add some smaller detail stones around the roots of the trees?!

[@SimplyBetta]

That would probably be a great idea! Especially once I start placing plants around and want to integrate them a little better. Too bad theres a ton of snow outside or I would just go grab a bucket of pebbles

[@sunlounger29]

@@SimplyBetta Maybe you can find some at your local home depot!?

[@AccessibleCruises]

Having been to New Zealand twice I think a little bit of Eriocaulon cinereum and pogostemon Helfer. The first would look a little magical, especially if it blooms for you, a little light in the darkness. The second recreate the look of a tree fern. No matter what you use I can't wait to see the end result. Please geek on!

[@AccessibleCruises]

Helferi the I got auto corrected, darn auto correct doesn't like Latin lol

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks for your suggestions! Eriocaulon cinereum looks so funky haha

[@troublingleaf]

The lagenandra meeboldii is a stunning plant, I have loads in a few tanks, the leaves do get pretty big though, I hope you're aware before you put it in somewhere it outgrows, and hides the scenery. it'll stay small for a while, it does take time to grow out, and could be moved later, but taking from experience the roots go a long way, and it can move a lot of substrate when being pulled. You could get a similar look, although much more vibrant green with lobelia cardinalis, when it starts getting higher the roots really take over the bottom of the plant which would look amazing in a forest tank, it'd want to be out of the shade though. I was hoping you'd say bucephalandra, not sure what your light is like, but I'd consider going for a lowerend of medium lighting (to stop algae taking over the leaves) and having some in the canopy! That could be awesome! I'd reccomend variants like theia green, brownie phoenix and kedagang. Another cool plant to consider is schismatoglotis prietoi, looks buce like, but it's more similar to cryptocorynes. Speaking of crypts, nurii would look amazing if you can source it, and give a great colour contrast! Sorry! It's your tank, I get a bit carried away with scaping, this looks amazing, I'm basically fantasising about what I'd do as you're working on it, I'm essentially planning your tank in my own little dream world and imagining it in my living room! 🤔 That aint cool!

[@Bruno-fu4hm]

have you considered also adding some sand and some derail gravel?

[@TheBigmont1975]

Awesome!!

[@jessicasinclair323]

Lagenandra meeboldii Red is a great plant for the foreground and some hydrocotyle Japan curling up your tree trunks like ivy would be cool too and some narrow leaved java ferns in the tree roots dotted amongst the buce and anubias of various sizes 😎

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks Jessica!

[@erwinvanderweele9051]

Real fun!

[@ZebMeierWatz]

Love the plan for all the moss. Maybe put some shrimp in to crawl around in it? 🙂

[@SimplyBetta]

You bet! I have some great shrimp planned for this tank :)

[@DavidHunt-pc4xi]

Love your ideas. How about some floating plants to give the forest a canopy?

[@SimplyBetta]

I like that idea, I'm not sure exactly how I'll pull off a hint of canopy, but I will

[@DavidHunt-pc4xi]

@@SimplyBetta I'm sure whatever you do will be fantastic!

[@joshuawaschak5657]

The meeboldii red gets pretty big with the leaf size. I had one as a centerpiece plant and it filled in quite a bit with 4 inch leaves. Might be on the larger size for your sense of scale.

[@SimplyBetta]

Oh really 😬 Welp! I might have to tear it out later lol, and think of an alternative

[@joshuawaschak5657]

@@SimplyBetta It is a beautiful plant though! maybe trimming it back a bit will keep it more compact

[@pauld.3332]

The hardscape looks great, I would not have been able to cut the big piece either. Weeping moss would definitely looks great. I always struggled with it not wanting to attach to any of my hardscape and faired much better using pilo moss instead. Myriophyllum Guyana could be a nice background plant. It has a very fine structure, and does not grow very fast or tall. Looking forward to seeing how it will turn out

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've had a few people mention pilo moss now, I'll have to consider it. I've already ordered my main plant ideas, but I can always add more!

[@bernandoturner4840]

We think y❤u are sooooooo amazing… which ever way you designed this Aquascape’ It will only be A Masterpiece..youtubers can that are subscribed to your channel can also enjoy.. good🍀😀

[@SimplyBetta]

Aww thank you! I hope it turns out nicely!

[@bernandoturner4840]

@@SimplyBetta It will be Fine, I believe in you.😄

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

Drift wood looks cool; In fact, as much as I like plants, I'd just leave the wood bare to appreciate its texture. Also, Fangorn is kinda dark and gloomy, so I don't know how well that would work with groundcover plants. Things like bacopa and cardinalis need high light, otherwise they grow scraggly, may float up to the surface, or won't grow at all. You might actually plant those at the tree tops and let them cover the surface. Emergent plants are quicker to pull nitrates out of the water due to the faster growth rate, plus they'll create a shady Fangorn forest floor, and keep down algae. Also, this could be an interesting tank for blackwater, which could look really cool with that backlight. And just FWI, if you'd like to solve your water evaporation problem so you can have an open topped tank, get a cheap 2 stage RO filter from Amazon and hook it up to a small float in your sump. Any evaporating water will immediately be replaced with RO water. I did this, and it works great.

[@SimplyBetta]

Early on in my decision process I had to choose between two designs. There was the really dark and gloomy option, much like the cinematic version (filmed in a studio), which would be perfect for hardscape and stones, and there was a more lush choice, like a rainforest. I agonized over this! I decided to go with a more lush look, since I took so many cool photos of the Fjordland National Park in NZ when I visited and that was the main inspiration for Fangorn Forest. Plus I love plants and mosses. I'm calling it an "artistic interpretation," haha. Besides, I have a pretty fun idea for an Ent when the tank gets established and it will look great with all the moss :P

[@neilt1524]

Your hair looks phenomenal!

[@SimplyBetta]

haha thank you

[@lurklingX]

the whole time i'm watching this, thinking *"DANG it just posted so i have to WAIT FOR THE REST"* 😦🤐 (love this project, Taylor. really interested to see the sump also. i only recently started learning about those and canister filters. haven't gone above10g yet but i'd like to. 30+ for angelfish most likely. those little rascals. lots of personality on them. like betta.)

[@SimplyBetta]

Hah! Well thanks! I'm almost ready to film the planting now, it will be up in no time ;) The sump setup and cycling will have to wait until my plants are established, since I'm doing a dry start method. maybe in late jan? We will see! Thanks, Lurkling!

[@lurklingX]

​@@SimplyBetta it was a great vid! i'd never heard of blending the plants and then adding yogurt. and definitely hadn't heard/seen of painting it on. that just blew my mind and can't wait to see how it looks. the atomizer/mister looked SO cool i almost wanted the build to just be a terrarium LOL. winding about the tree trunks... so fkkin awesome. assuming the 3wk wait on flooding it has to do with establishing the moss... though i don't think you expressly said the reason in the video. anyway these are SUPER fun. i liked the evil driftwood build a lot, and the way you shot those vids. i also laud your bag end build.... even thinking about all the effort that went into that makes me die a little. (you deconstructed it i think? what did you do with the pieces you made for it like the fence and hobbit door? storage? sold? gave it away?) glad to see you back on your feet. a while ago, can't remember when exactly, you had a phase where you were too exhausted to function. i think one of the kids was a baby-ish. anyway, here's hoping that's all in the rearview. : )

[@SimplyBetta]

@@lurklingX Yep, the 3 weeks is to allow the moss to start to adhere. I'm glad you liked Bag End! I still have those pieces I made :P Haha yeah a while ago I had a newborn and a 3 year old and I was, umm, tuckered out to say the least!! I appreciate the comment :)

[@edriepatrickvital225]

Baccopa monnieri is a No no coz it grows tall. try attaching water sprites on top of the drift wood as a leaves or try bucephalandra green and use it a leaves replacement i think thats great👍🏻

[@SimplyBetta]

Oh really! Even the "compact" version? And thanks for your ideas!

[@IncogPollywog]

You know seeing you make a forest and talking about scale has me wondering if there are any shrubs with mini leaves like boxwoods that could are aquarium safe and could be used as like a forest leaf littler.

[@cherellzandell]

Looking great! Tons of moss will be perfect! I watched the new fish tank review just before this and it had a lord of the rings reference, so it leads into this perfectly 😆

[@SimplyBetta]

haha thank you!

[@sensationalseas4555]

Good job .do you want to add any anubia?

[@SimplyBetta]

Yes! I'm planning on anubias, though I think I accidentally ordered a variety that gets too big :0

[@pacae911]

That aquarium of how many gallons is its capacity ?

[@Evil_Genius_888]

The hardscape looks fantastic! I'd love to see it all moss covered. I tried the mini pellia on mine and most of it didn't take. I have a dwarf sag carpet with the odd crypt in the mid ground. There is also a lot of buce around the trees and I'm trying to get some hydrocotyle tripartita mini started too. For a smaller red crypt try Crypt Affinis Red. In the background I have a couple of large Anubius "mother pots" and a huge pile of narrow leaf java fern and Christmas moss. I don't know if any of that will help you. I think you are looking to stick mostly to mosses and leaf litter. My "forest" inspiration was more bog than old growth forest. Nearly a year later I haven't cut the tops off the wood "trees" to get the lid to fit on, but I'm really going to have to. I get way too much evaporation. I'll have to pull them out to make the cuts and that's going to hurt doing it, but I don't have my stuff as locked together as you do. I have wood screwed to ceramic tiles. It'll be messy and take some time to refix though.

[@SimplyBetta]

the planting is happening! It will be either next week's video or the week after :P I'm doing a dry start method, this should be fun. I'm hoping that doing it that way will allow all my moss and mini pellia to take really nicely. Instead of cutting your wood for the lid, you could cut your lid to fit the wood! That's what I'll be doing for the one huge piece I spared :P

[@Evil_Genius_888]

@@SimplyBetta very cool! I’m looking forward to the video. I haven’t tried dry start yet.

[@MegaMindyLou]

Panty hose are also great for getting algae off the glass. Scrubby enough to get the job done, soft enough not to scratch the glass. ❤️

[@SimplyBetta]

Ooo thanks for the tips :D

[@yvesdaigle3840]

The backlight from the window is not good for algae. But looks awesome.

[@randihardy6642]

Are there going to be plants at the top to simulate the canopy?

[@SimplyBetta]

Yeah, I'll do something! Not sure exactly how I'll get that effect, but I'll do something

[@kanedadry7642]

Hello I would avoid red plants and focus on green variations. Also thinking of a patch a patch of hydrocotyle vulgaris somewhere

[@kanedadry7642]

I think diversity in moss will greatly increase sense of depth, so it might be interesting to hunt for rare mosses (like Hookeriaceae sp. "Rare Moss" for ex). Never managed to have weeping moss actually, but if you manage to have the right conditions, I think you should go crazy with this one

[@robertpark2029]

Hottonia palustris would make a nice little bush in the forest.

[@SimplyBetta]

Oo thank you! I forgot about how nice those tiny little leaves look

[@zixx777]

For plants, I would suggest Bucephalandra sp. Brownie Ghost 2012 - it is a nice dark purple. It is a bit challenging to find, so an alternative would be Bucephalandra sp. Neo. The Neo is a bit easier to find in my area, and is a bit more red. I love them both, however, so I would likely use both. :)

[@SimplyBetta]

Thank you so much for the tips! I’ll look into both of these. I chose a bunch of kedagang and some mini Catherine to start with, I hope I made an OK choice