Re-scape w/ moss carpet

Hi everyone. I have been needing to get rid of the java moss that has been floating around attached to cork in my 46 gal. I figured I would put it to use in my 12 gallon by having a try at building a moss carpet. I have had some pics of the inhabitants of this tank in another thread, but since they are actually in this tank, I will post a few more.
Before:

The moss wall/carpet:


Here I just cut a small piece of that knitting sanvas stuff. I picked out a few clumps and poked a little bit through a hole every once in a while. I then pulled about 1.5 cm of moss through the back to keep it in there. As you can see I started running out of moss about 3/4 of the way through.

After:




I am still not happy with the re-scape. I actaully have 4 African dwarf cichlids in there and am keeping some large river stones to give them caves. I will be trading them in at my LFS for some Flagfish or plants. So when they are gone I will be removing the 'caves' and re-arranging yet again.
I want to remove the large stones, and perhaps replace the 2 smaller pieces of driftwood with 1 larger one that is currently getting water-logged in my bigger tank. So not happy yet, but I will post some updates if I change it around.

Here are some of the inhabitants.
1 Seminole Killifish (I think) and 2 Bluefin Killifish - all from the ghost shrimp feeder tank at my LFS. I intend to get rid of the 4 dwarf cichlids (I have been trying for 3 months now) and move my female flagfish in there and hopefully get here some company.




And of course my crayfish (sp?) who has been seen in another thread.


Hope yall like the pics. I would love any constructive criticism/comments/suggestions about the tank setup - As I am still not pleased with it. I just can't seem to apply what is in my brain to the tank.

Nice looking tank, you have done well. I am sure some little slackwater natives would love to call it home!

Blake

Willie, you probably dont want to hear this but, the way you make your tank look should be pleasing to you first then to others next if at all, By the way so far youre doing a really good job of pleasing everyone else but not quite satisfying yourself. You did a great job on that carpet, it looks like its been there for years, and the rest of the set up looks great as well, but... you really dont want to get it too perfect because then you run out of anything to do , I think it should always be a work in progress, a never ending story so to speak. One idea, i have tried is every time i go searching anywhere i always pick up one thing to remember that place by if it was particullarly pleasing. Then when you get too old to go anymore you can always set enjoy your efforts and remember each trip by those little things in there that means nothing to anyone but you

^ ditto
Look around at other peoples tanks. Native, tropical, saltwater - the neatest ideas come from outside the box.

It is really hard to aquascape a tank that small. Best of luck!

Thanks for the replies and comments everyone.
Jim, I reckon you're right. My tanks are always changing (hopefully for the better), but I guess streams change everytime a big rain comes through, too. I think I will hold off and any more rescape until myLFS has room for those cichlids.
I woke up this morning and lots of the moss had been pulled out a bit (not out of the canvas, but just a lot looser) by the crayfish picking around for food. So maybe the carpet wasn't a good idea. I am now thinking of making it a wall of moss, but since the tank is an Eclipse, no light really reaches the back. Well, we will see what happens in the next week if the moss can stay attached to the gorund.

Your crayfish is going to be a problem if you want to keep that moss as a carpet. Both on the floor or on the wall. Crayfish and plants generally do not mix well in general, because crayfish like to decimate them, but if nothing else he will certainly be pulling on it a lot. If you really want this setup, I'd move the crayfish elsewhere.

UncleWillie,

From the picture, the tank looks great! I think you should absolutely do what makes you happy, but I gotta say, it looks pretty good from here!

I'm curious, do the empty clam shells in the photos successfully serve as caves for species like madtoms and crawfish who want caves? Just wondering because they look better to myself than the usual attempts at plastic caves or piling rocks on top each other.