Aquascape feedback

[DiscoStuart]

Hi all - building my first aquascape (4' ~100 gal DT) and would love feedback before I finish things off and put into the tank later this week.

Cantilevered overhang on the left, which runs about halfway across the tank. Few arches / caves in the middle and a tree on the right. Blue line at the top is 2/3 of the tank height. It all fits within a footprint that leaves at least 3 inches between the glass and the scape. Plan to have an inch or so of sand bed as well.

Images of each piece below as well.

I’d love feedback on anything I should be considering in terms of flow, light or habitat. Thanks!

 

[Fish Fan]

I think it looks great, much better than I could do!

 

[exnisstech]

I love it. I wouldn't pack it full of fish because there are not a lot of hiding/sleeping spots but with a few fish and some nice coral I can see this being a stunner . Good job. It looks similar to what I have tried to achieve in the past but always fallen short .

PS. With all the open space it should be awesome as far as being able to get good flow. Any idea what type of coral you plan?

 

[DiscoStuart]

I love it. I wouldn't pack it full of fish because there are not a lot of hiding/sleeping spots but with a few fish and some nice coral I can see this being a stunner . Good job. It looks similar to what I have tried to achieve in the past but always fallen short .

What sort of sleeping spots should I have? Will all fish need their own? (First reef tank!)

 

[exnisstech]

What sort of sleeping spots should I have? Will all fish need their own? (First reef tank!)

The fish that I have kept all need a spot to claim as thier own be it a cave, crevice or even a hole in the rock some fish like gobies will back into. Some bury in sand to sleep. A lot depends on what your stocking plans are. Coral can also provide habitat for fish it just take a while to get there.

 

[RocketEngineer]

BRStv has two videos on making negative space aquascapes. One discusses creating habitat for fish. One central piece made up of a bunch of caves might give you the hiding spaces the fish will need to feel safe.

 

[DiscoStuart]

BRStv has two videos on making negative space aquascapes. One discusses creating habitat for fish. One central piece made up of a bunch of caves might give you the hiding spaces the fish will need to feel safe.

Thanks - I'm going to have a go at an alternative piece - maybe replaces or changes the tree, we'll see. With a lot more overhangs / caves / nooks and see how that feels. might be able to add some more to the left piece as well without losing the overhang look.

 

[RocketEngineer]

The tree would be my first choice for adding spots. I would thicken the trunk with a bunch of pieces that sit around the middle, but which leave a gap. Picture a strangler fig after the inner tree rots.

Just an idea.

 

[RocketEngineer]

This outer “layer” provides internal hiding spots but keeps the overall look intact.

 

[DiscoStuart]

Ok, here’s a potential alternative - moved the tree to the middle (though might lose it / chip off half as I don’t love the look of everything being the same height).

Piece on the right has lots more overhangs and areas to hide.

 

[DiscoStuart]

This outer “layer” provides internal hiding spots but keeps the overall look intact.

ooh nice, thanks for the idea!

 

[RocketEngineer]

Ok, here’s a potential alternative - moved the tree to the middle (though might lose it / chip off half as I don’t love the look of everything being the same height).

Piece on the right has lots more overhangs and areas to hide.

That looks like a bunch more hiding spots.

 

[stE25wy14]

why is the second picture so good :loudly-crying-face:

it looks amazing!!

 

[mboley]

So what happens when you're trying to mount coral and need to apply some pressure on those unseen in nature "rock branches"?

Call me old school, this style is more realistic and provides a better environment for fish and more real eastate for corals.

 

[stE25wy14]

So what happens when you're trying to mount coral and need to apply some pressure on those unseen in nature "rock branches"?

Call me old school, this style is more realistic and provides a better environment for fish and more real eastate for corals.

tbh, looks cool
but been diving in multiple places, never seen something like this
i see what u are going for tho!! i like it

 

[DiscoStuart]

There will be enough marco cement on it that pressure isn't going to be a problem at all :)

Visually I gravitate toward super minimalist. Though thanks to helpful feedback, I'll definitely be adding more to make sure there is plenty of space for habitats.

So what happens when you're trying to mount coral and need to apply some pressure on those unseen in nature "rock branches"?

Call me old school, this style is more realistic and provides a better environment for fish and more real eastate for corals.

 

[DiscoStuart]

Video gives a better sense of depth. Removed the tree for a cave like structure in the middle. Could potentially put it under the overhang so it is more of a bridge than a plank. Apologies for the music, but as a teenager of the 90s, I couldn’t resist

 

[DiscoStuart]

Final product: