Favorite Aquascaping Styles: Bonsai, Floating, Island etc?

[Ardeus]

There's functional and aesthetic aquascaping aspects and if you manage to marry the 2, you have written poetry.

There's not much to say about the aesthetic aquascaping aspect of our reefs, it hasn't been developed yet. There's still the belief that each person has his/her own taste and that's it.

99.9999% of reefs are immune to aesthetic guidelines that are used in every form of visual arts.

Regarding functional aquascaping, it's much better but it's not been improving over the last years.

Flow and other coral needs are taken into consideration but providing a suitable habitat for fish has been taking a back seat more and more.

The bonsai and negative space trends, especially the ones that use flat based rocks to increase stability, seem to forget that a large number of common species present in the hobby appreciate caves and an even larger number needs them to spend the night.

 

[jiffyjhn]

One of my friends with a reef tanks has a sponge bob house(pineapple) in his tank. Funny thing is his clowns have dubbed it home, keep it algae free, and actually sleep inside it!

Haha. I’m also thinking of adding pineapple house to my tank:

Still havnt done it. Have some concerns about it polluting the water.

 

[homer1475]

Haha. I’m also thinking of adding pineapple house to my tank:

Still havnt done it. Have some concerns about it polluting the water.

Thats exactly the one he has. Been in his tank for 3 years now with 0 issue. Think he got it at petco, or petland.

I told him it would get covered in algae, but his kids insisted it stayed. Low and behold his clowns keep it looking almost brand new.

 

[Dr. Jim]

I still like the rock wall look although I admit it may not allow the best flow. However, in the pic below from many years ago (before tank was stocked), there was a lot of space behind the rockwork with good circulation. Tunze Wavemakers worked great in this tank! 500 gal tank 48" deep; 600 lbs Totoka rock. I'd give my left thumb to have this rock again! (from 1994).

With the rock not against the back wall, and the tank sunk 4" below lower viewing level, the "V" shaped opening almost gave an appearance of "infinity." The rock disappearing on the sides (recessed 4") also gives the affect of a larger reef.

 

[EnglishguyELR]

We just got back from RAP NY and we had an amazing time. Walking around the show floor some of the tanks I saw had some beautiful and well thought out aquascaping. One aquascape in particular I instantly loved but it occurred to me that this style of aquascaping (arches and caves) being displayed might not be as appealing to others as it was to me. Which leads to the QOTD today! I'm a sucker for a cool aquascape so I thought we would talk about it today.

1. What is your favorite style of aquascaping and why?

2. What aquascaping aspects do you like to incorporate into your tank?


image via @W.vreeswijk

 

[EnglishguyELR]

Here is our tank please follow at Instagram.com/EnglishguyELR

 

[smokin'reefer]

Did someone say arches?

 

[Chris Martin]

I have been making these decor and using them for years. Never had any issues in my reef tank

 

[Young@Heart]

I am in the middle of redoing my aquascape. I am not very good at it and I will admit that, but I have learned a few things since my first attempt. My initial attempt just ended up more or less a pile of rock leaning and setting on top of one another. My 2nd Attempt is better (I think). It is mostly glued together, it is comprised of 4 primary "islands" for lack of a better term. Includes at least 1 large cave - there may be room for an addition later. There are 2 Main Arches and places for Corals and places for fish to go when they are stressed out.

 

[Popkorn0407]

Arche and cave feel more natural to me, and IN tank rock whit a hight bioload sound better for me than in sump, more hidding place for fish to, so less stress. love mine

 

[flashsmith]

I spent a great deal of time and effort to build an arch and cave scape for my 30 long only to tear it out after a few weeks because of dead spots and waste collection. Now I have islands in there and it solved my flow and waste issues. I have a 50 lagoon I have changed too many times to count. Just can't get comfortable with anything.

 

[Glenn Siegel]

Here is my aquascape by Pristine Rock in my new tank build

 

[Anchor]

I nearly had an All of the Above answer.... most of the boxes are checked. I have to ask, what is your primary goal for the scape? Is it convenience of cleaning or for show and go or for the health of the corals???

 

[P-Dub]

Arche and cave feel more natural to me, and IN tank rock whit a hight bioload sound better for me than in sump, more hidding place for fish to, so less stress. love mine

Well done!

 

[Seascapes]

There's functional and aesthetic aquascaping aspects and if you manage to marry the 2, you have written poetry.

There's not much to say about the aesthetic aquascaping aspect of our reefs, it hasn't been developed yet. There's still the belief that each person has his/her own taste and that's it.

99.9999% of reefs are immune to aesthetic guidelines that are used in every form of visual arts.

Regarding functional aquascaping, it's much better but it's not been improving over the last years.

Flow and other coral needs are taken into consideration but providing a suitable habitat for fish has been taking a back seat more and more.

The bonsai and negative space trends, especially the ones that use flat based rocks to increase stability, seem to forget that a large number of common species present in the hobby appreciate caves and an even larger number needs them to spend the night.

I've been battling flow issues and red slime on the center overflow. This is my latest attempt. It's more open, tunnels, caves and arches. So far its not falling down(smile). Like others have said I want the coral to cover the rock work and have room for my tangs to swim.

 

[P-Dub]

Aquascaping is such a personal thing. Tank internal dimensions have a strong influence on what can be created in the space allotted. I did my best to create the caves, tunnels, and overhangs in a standard 125, which was challenging. After all that work, coral growth certainly changed things after 3 years. Below are photos of the Aquascape about 6 months after start-up and the final, more or less, iteration of the scape. Now, roughly, can be seen in my signature.

 

[rusty hannon]

I pushed other in refrence to the floating aquascape. I love the look but have never used it n any of our tanks . There is no easy way ( Im not looking for an easy way) and every time Im setting up a tank it doesnt come to mind until Ive put water n. Not TOO bright

 

[carbasaurus]

I want lots of hiding places and bolt holes for my fish so they feel safe. I have a somewhat open stacked back wall with tunnels and caves coupled with several forward projections that create additional tunnels and caves as well surface area for sps coral. Between the projected footings are a few protected coves for some of my more sensitive lps coral. With this set up most of my fish seem content except for my crazy scribbled rabbitfish that is too big for the bolt holes. It’s a 200 gallon system so the tank is plenty big but he can’t hide as well as he used to and gets the “crazies now and then

 

[1fastfxr]

I chose caves, arches, overhangs, and negative space. It is what appeals to me and some of what I see while snorkeling. While my tank is still cycling this is my rendition of what will hopefully be beneficial to my future fish and corrals.

 

[CoralB]

All the above !!!