Aqua artistry: Do you prefer a minimalist aquascape?

[Peace River]

Aqua artistry: Do you prefer a minimalist aquascape?

Minimalist aquascape or densely populated reef – there are many approaches to a developing a beautiful saltwater aquarium. There is not one right way, the aquascaping trends have changed over time, and we all have different preferences. For the minimalist approach there is a tradeoff between having a clean look which allows for easier separation of corals that may not get along and fewer mounting points. In contrast, a denser reef may have more hiding places and more places to put corals, however overcrowding can become an issue. Tell us about your viewpoint on aquascaping in the following thread – do you prefer a minimalist aquascape?

Pro Tip: Minimalist design often implements limited colors groups and simple forms with a emphasis on white space. In a reef tank, white space can be described as the empty spaces around the aquascaping. Sometimes in a minimalist aquascape it is as much about what isn't there and using the separation of elements and open water as a design element.

Photo by @SunnyX


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com

"Our mission is to help save the reefs by providing the highest quality live reef foods for every aquarium - from small biocubes to mid-sized reef aquariums, to giant aquaculture facilities" -Dinkins Aquatic Gardens

 

[zoomonster]

Some of those type tanks look nice but more rock more filtration, places to put coral and places for fish to hide.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I like the look of minimal aquascaping, but I also think it depends on what you want to do for your tank and what kind of tank you have as well

 

[i cant think]

The minimal scapes are really only good for tanks that you want to have coral only and maybe only have 5-6 species of coral colonies.
Other than that, I honestly dislike them and would rather have a lot of rock for fish to feel safe in and also allow more hiding spots to occur with the colonies growing out. Maybe if the colonies were big enough I’d remove some rock but at first I’d have to start with a large amount of LR.

 

[Clownreef]

Idk but here’s mine.

 

[paragrouper]

Minimalist? Me?

 

[X-37B]

People forget that you will never really see the rocks once your tank is grown in.
I like both but have leaned towards the minimalist style.
My old 120 with around 70-80lbs live rock.

 

[AaronFReef]

I like the look of a minimalist aquascape but feel the cost to fish health and stress may not be worth it and it may be a bit overhyped. I run a pretty minimal aquascape myself and have mixed feelings. It’s great for acro placement but it means my fish squabble for sleeping spots at night. On the other hand my acros are placed decently far apart for good potential to grow dense and natural.

just under a year later:

 

[atoll]

If your fish could chose what do you think they would request? I have a good idea mine would give minimalistic scapes a big fins down.

 

[803ReefDude]

Some people care only about corals. Those are the ones I feel would choose to have a minimalist aquascape. Anybody that truly love fish would choose to have more rock for hiding spots and caves which look better my opinion.

 

[Alfie]

I set up with 3 main rock structures, Left centre and right. There were gaps between all the rocks before the corals took over. Theres a difference between an established reef and one with just rock and a few corals, Ah we are all different lol

 

[whybenormal]

I had my aquarium very crowded with a lot of live rock, but realized I wasn't getting very good flow.
I just spent most of the last week redoing my aquascape, and today am putting my corals back in my new more "minimalist" scape.
My fish are already happier, except my engineer goby and dusky jawfish. Hopefully they quit pouting soon and get to work.
I'll post pics to my build thread in another day - I forgot to take pics of the progression, so I will just post when finished.

 

[shakacuz]

i'd like to assume my aquascape is minimal, but often times do i want to add more rock to have more room for SPS lol.

 

[MiniCoco]

In my humble opinion whether or not you employ a minimalist approach to reefing in regard to how much rock, substrate, corals or even numbers of occupants all have their pros and cons. Having little to no substrate affords a pathway to a healthy tank with less maintenance issues over the long haul. Having less rock and corals allows for the colonies to fully develop and water circulation is less hampered. Having more rock that is aquascaped with the occupants in mind reduces stress and allows for cohabitation of more species and increases the tanks filtration and biome. The negatives could be just as varied as the aforementioned but let us just agree that at the end of the day it comes down to what appeals to you as the reef keeper. I prefer the well aquascaped version where flow, lighting, native environmental ques and space to grow, play and exercise are considered. In any event, good luck and happy reefing everybody!

 

[Walshy5050]

This took me 20 min nice and easy

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

I am a person who believes that "aesthetics" are only a minor consideration when aquascaping. Corals need lots of rock to encrust over, and fish need it for structure. I think that most of our fish would be happiest if we filled the tank with pea gravel, all the way to the rim. That's an exaggeration, but fish do need their hiding spots. The old "rock wall", so often dreaded and derided by new hobbyists and "photoshoot reefers", actually provides very good habitat for fish and corals alike. I have a "two islands" aquascape, which I think is good for meeting in the middle.

This is a picture of a wild shallow reef. (Not my picture, photo credit goes to NOAA.)

See what I see? I see large coral colonies growing over what is essentially a big pile of aragonite. Granted, it'd be impossible to replicate this in anything less than 2,000 gallons, but this is what a reef looks like when allowed to grow out for millennia. Look at those fish! I see about 5-6 species, and those are just ones that can be seen from a distance. Many more will be hiding in the crevices between coral heads and boulders.

And now let's look at what minimalist aquascapes most often are trying to imitate. (Credit again to NOAA)

Lots of "NSA" aquascapes try to copy the look of a branching acropora, so I'll call this "branching minimalist". I won't deny it, this looks pretty cool. However, I see only one or two species of chromis. If the intent was to mimic nature, then people with "branching minimalist" aquascapes would stick to this. Maybe adding some blennies and hawkfish to diversify things. And yet, time and time again I see tangs, clownfish, gobies, and everything in between thrown into setups like this. That can't be very good for the fish, it simply isn't their natural habitat. Like putting a whitetail deer out on the prairie with no woods in site. Just because the prairie dogs are happy doesn't mean the deer is.

Again, I will draw attention to the concept of islands. I went snorkeling recently in only about 4-8 feet of water in the Caribbean, and this is about what I saw... (Not my picture.)

I'll call this "island minimalism". I think that this is the perfect intermediary. Provides habitat? Check. Looks good? Check. Allows for strong flow? Check. Can be replicated in a small tank? Check. This sort of 'scape provides the best of both worlds. Around these little islands, or "bommies" as they'd say in Australia, I saw all sorts of fish. Chromis, tangs, gobies, damsels, parrotfish, wrasses, you name it, it was there. Like putting the same deer from our earlier analogy in a meadow in the woods. The deer has its cover and the prairie dogs have their open space. I'd also like to draw attention to the softies, LPS, and SPS all thriving within 2 square feet, something not often seen in our tanks. This, in my opinion, is peak aquascaping. Consideration for aesthetics, coral, and the well-being of fish all in one.

Basically? I'd like to be able to differentiate between the two types of minimalism which I see. One is good for fish, looks, and lots of different coral, and the other is mainly good for looks and acropora. Of course, this is all in my opinion. Aquascape however you like. Nothing wrong with any style, but you will need to make more considerations as you specialize.

 

[vtecintegra]

Minimalist aquascaping completely misses the boat when creating a reef habitat. I don't get it.

 

[vlangel]

As you can see, my reef is not a minimalist aquascape. I do appreciate and enjoy looking at them however. For me and my reef, I want as natural look as I can attain. I have a lot of animals and I love watching them navigate through all the macroalgae and coral.

 

[design.maddie]

I have always been drawn to "Volcano" shapes. I have a cube and it takes restraint not to build a volcano. I feel like I am old school when I say that my favorite rockwork is the complete wall of rock. Nothing but a wall of rock. Corals here and there. LUV! Then ask yourself if that is minimalist because the sand is open.

 

[GarrettT]

A minimalist aquascape is boring to me. I want to harbor as much life in the tank as possible.