First time aquascaping

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

While I'm waiting for my tank to arrive, I couldn't help but go and grab some rocks :)

I'm thinking of a 2 island layout with 2 lights directly above each of them, leaving space for fish to swim.

I'm also thinking of 2 wavemakers (probably MP40s) on the back wall (I don't want to see any wires on the sides) pointed at the rocks, or should they be pointed away from the rocks?

What do you think? Any obvious issues? Anything I can improve on?

Front:

Sides:

Looking down:

JoshO · Mar 12, 2020

I love 2 island set ups, however I'd personally have them slightly bigger! Might be good to tape a line along your brickwork to gauge how far from the surface of the water you'll be!
If you're wanting corals then you'll want much more real estate to be able to place them and give them sufficient room to grow!
As for the mp40s from what I've seen and read they work really well opposite each other when linked up, I'm sure BRS have a video about it!

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

JoshO said:
I love 2 island set ups, however I'd personally have them slightly bigger! Might be good to tape a line along your brickwork to gauge how far from the surface of the water you'll be!

Thank you!

I'll do that - I did think about height at first, but then got the rocks in my hands and forgot everything else :)

JoshO said:
If you're wanting corals then you'll want much more real estate to be able to place them and give them sufficient room to grow!
As for the mp40s from what I've seen and read they work really well opposite each other when linked up, I'm sure BRS have a video about it!

I'm not sure about corals - I mean I'll want/have some, but no ideas yet. I'm slowly building up a stock list, but not ready yet.

I'll check up some more on the MP40s - I'd really like to keep them on the back wall and they're the only ones without wires in the tank.

JoshO · Mar 12, 2020

I'm doing the same regarding taking my time, it's the best way! Having the rockwork set up to be able to house corals in the future would be beneficial should you want to end up down that road (no doubt you will!) Plus a bigger area of rock provides more surface for bacteria, pods and hiding places for fish should they want it!

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

Height labeled :)

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

JoshO said:
I'm doing the same regarding taking my time, it's the best way!

Definitely! Although I would've rushed in if the tank was here - having it coming from another city forces me to be patient :)

JoshO said:
Having the rockwork set up to be able to house corals in the future would be beneficial should you want to end up down that road (no doubt you will!) Plus a bigger area of rock provides more surface for bacteria, pods and hiding places for fish should they want it!

I think I know what you mean - I'll try to extend the surface a little bit... Thanks!

bjc451 · Mar 12, 2020

I think you need more rock

JoshO · Mar 12, 2020

Height seems pretty good! Maybe just a bigger footprint and a bit more gradient to the islands to give more area!

JoshO · Mar 12, 2020

I actually think the island on the right has quite a good footprint, the one on the left is where I'd add more.
Another quick one, once it's set up and you think you're happy, leave it there! Make sure you regularly look at it over a week and see if you're totally happy. Any doubts then it's time to have a play around and see if you can improve it!

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

My second attempt, taking into account adding more rocks - I'm all out of rocks at this stage (20kg) :)

The left-hand island doesn't feel too right to me at the moment. I'm not sure if I should have a cave in there or not. More caves - better? If not, I'll probably joins the two rocks to make it one solid foundation.

Pickwun · Mar 12, 2020

It's a fairly strong minimalist scape. Not my thing, but if you picture it 2-3 years out it could be pretty striking.

JoshO · Mar 12, 2020

Not going to suggest buying more rock because rock = money...and this hobby consumes enough without us pushing you into more spending!
I liked the right island from the original images, thought it looked great! Definitely worth spending some time playing around with the left island to see what you come up with!

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

Pickwun said:
It's a fairly strong minimalist scape. Not my thing, but if you picture it 2-3 years out it could be pretty striking.

Thanks! Yes, minimalist is what I am hoping to achieve.

JoshO said:
Not going to suggest buying more rock because rock = money...and this hobby consumes enough without us pushing you into more spending!

I should be ok with what I have - just need to re-arrange more...

JoshO said:
I liked the right island from the original images, thought it looked great! Definitely worth spending some time playing around with the left island to see what you come up with!

Yes, I think that extra piece breaks the balance of the right island. I'll play some more...

Thanks for your input! More to come... ;)

X-37B · Mar 12, 2020

Looks good! I also like minimal landscape.
As someone said get it the way you want it and dont change it.
The hardest thing in aquascaping is visualizing what it will look like grown out. Spend some time thinking about it.
When a reef tank is completly filled down the road you wont see the rocks much imo.

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

90's reefer said:
Looks good! I also like minimal landscape.
As someone said get it the way you want it and dont change it.
The hardest thing in aquascaping is visualizing what it will look like grown out. Spend some time thinking about it.
When a reef tank is completly filled down the road you wont see the rocks much imo.

Thanks! Yes, I cannot imagine what I'll have in there since this is my first marine tank, but I do have a few corals I like at my LFS. I'll talk to him later regarding what I can actually get, as he knows me and will provide something that I won't be able to kill that easily :)

dvlpr · Mar 12, 2020

Ok, I think I'm getting very close - I actually quite like both islands at the moment... Of course my wife will have her input once she's back from work (or just give up and let me be), but what do you think?

JoshO · Mar 13, 2020

Starting to look really good! If you're happy with it then leave it there for a few days and keep looking at it to see if you're happy...it'll drive your wife mad though!

dvlpr · Mar 13, 2020

JoshO said:
Starting to look really good! If you're happy with it then leave it there for a few days and keep looking at it to see if you're happy...it'll drive your wife mad though!

As I expected... my wife came home and this whole design was blown to bits :( She's an architect/building designer and sometimes it's just so bloody hard... argh! Going back to my LFS tomorrow for more rocks, as her idea is clearly going to need another 20 kgs. Will update later... On the bright side - if she signs off on it, she can't blame me for the bad layout later ;) (but she will still try probably)