Does a plant like this exist??

[magnosis]

Another good example with flora details from over at aquascapingworld. Includes build photos and progression. Rather interesting!

Aha this is so nerdy    Very nice !!  I would never have the dexterity to pull this off myself

[Brent Shaver]

I think it looks great, and yes nerdy the only thing I would change is the door would be open for fish to hide.

Great links, info and photos, thanks all..

Here is what I have decided to do/attempt.

I have to wait till the spring items come back to the shelves and I will be geting some weedeater twine.  I will take pieces of this and twist them together at the right thickness and then use the blow torch to melt them together and hold it until it sets then I will wrap them with burlap.  Once this is done I will just get some mat urethane.  I will then dip them simular to a candle until the coating is uniform.  Then I should be able to use a very fine sandpaper to take the shine off and then will be able to put the java moss tied to the ends and whalaa I should have a Bonzi Tree....  Or at least that will be the plan.

I am trying to talk the wife into letting me take the 50 out of the living room and put in a 100-125 in its place.  So far I think she believes I plan on selling the 50 so there is at least consideration.  I cant seem to win the lottery so maybe I can at least win a new tank lol.  I will just have to pick up a couple side plumbing jobs to cover it.  Then I will be attempting to create a Japanese Garden or close to it should luck be on my side.

I have done outdoor stuff for years, but there is still that nervousness of taking the plunge into aquatic design.

[magnosis]

I'm looking for the [LIKE] button ... 

[Yams]

Hey,

New to this thread but let me offer one tip... I have made a few of these, wish I had pictures but my computer had some issues...so lost all my pictures... but Java Moss is not the best moss for this. Willow Moss, Taiwan Moss or even Christmas Tree Moss will make it look much better. (Weeping moss would look ok too, alot of overhang)

The reasoning is the way the mosses grow. While Java Moss is easy to aquire, it will not quite have the same effect some of the other mosses will.

http://www.aquamoss.net/Moss-List.htm

Take a look there, I am sure some people around here have some of the other mosses for purchase, if you are serious and putting alot of planning into this, and want the look they have, use some other types of Moss, Java won't get you that look...

Good Luck!

[Brent Shaver]

A great link, not quite sure why I typed java.  To be honest I have been looking and trying to picture the layout and placement more then the plants.  Once I can figure that out I can start finding the plants that will accomplish the goal.  All of your suggestions were good ones and will be used I am sure.

I do know this will be a slow project, with everything I have asked in conversations, patience is the first thing you need to accomplish a tank like this.  And to be honest the over all investment wont be able to happen over night.

I am fortenate enough to have a work shop at my disposal to do the work, so I dont have to distroy the apt while working on the stuff.  I have the ok to at least start pricing the tank, I wouldnt dare get into the details of the extras.  Will just have to sneak that stuff in piece by piece.

[magnosis]

+1 to Yams's suggestion.

[Yams]

Ooh I got a +1  Weeee!

Plant "art" is fun, making gardens and stuff, alot of patience but with the right driftwood (and just a fyi... most of the super duper moss trees you see in the magazines, and articles are multiple peices of driftwood tied together to make one nice looking one, zap straps also I have read work, so a little creativity and the right peice / peices you can get it looking good) and right plants anyone can do it, to further add to this.

[Brent Shaver]

I have seen some very nice trees created from multiple pieces of driftwood, but for the effect I am looking for I am going with the DIY trunk/branches so I can form the main tree to be just a larger version of a actual aged minature bonzi tree which is going to be the main focal point to the tank and the rest will be build and designed around it.