First time aquascaping

[Jlmiller173]

This is my first time making my own aquascape. My tank is 24”x24”x21” I am trying to make a fun cove look to the tank with some pass throughout for better flow and areas for the fish. Let me know what you think I know I’m gonna need to get a little more rock to add some height but any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[DC Reefer]

Is the small cardboard the 24x24 or is it the larger piece? If larger looks good and looks as if you have space around all the sides for cleanings, flow and access. I did a similar cove look in my 1/4 cylinder tank and eventually ended up moving some of the pieces into the center to get better flow and lighting for them. the center of the tank will usually have the strongest lighting so keep this in mind. If you are doing SPS and have adequate lighting I wouldn't go too high so the sticks have some room to grow.

 

[Jlmiller173]

Is the small cardboard the 24x24 or is it the larger piece? If larger looks good and looks as if you have space around all the sides for cleanings, flow and access. I did a similar cove look in my 1/4 cylinder tank and eventually ended up moving some of the pieces into the center to get better flow and lighting for them. the center of the tank will usually have the strongest lighting so keep this in mind. If you are doing SPS and have adequate lighting I wouldn't go too high so the sticks have some room to grow.

The small square is footprint of my tank. I count it two inches smaller though so I have 1 inch of space around all of the sides. Also going to trim off some of the rock in a few areas too. Right now it stands at 11 1/2 inches tall in a tank that is 21 inches tall. Would you stop at that height?

 

[wenliu51]

I agree with allowing room to clean the glass, otherwise you might need to manually use a mitten to get to the tight spaces.

It looks super cool! You can also add a 'shelf' piece to make it really look like a cave, then have that flat surface on the shelf to place coral!

I have three caves in my tank and my LFS help me set it up. One thing tho, they didnt really spend much time with the glue.. so when my tank was cycled and I went in there to do some cleaning I knocked off some pieces. When you are ready to glue or use epoxy (or both), ensure you are generous to make sure they stick. Coraline algae will grow over so they wont look ugly after two months. And it really sucks trying to move/lift/re-assemble/glue rockwork while underwater..

 

[DC Reefer]

The small square is footprint of my tank. I count it two inches smaller though so I have 1 inch of space around all of the sides. Also going to trim off some of the rock in a few areas too. Right now it stands at 11 1/2 inches tall in a tank that is 21 inches tall. Would you stop at that height?

I generally wouldn't go any higher. You might add 1 small piece of rock that is a little higher. If you are going to have sand and plan on vacuuming the sand the 1 inch all the way around is too tight - just something to think about.

 

[Jlmiller173]

I agree with allowing room to clean the glass, otherwise you might need to manually use a mitten to get to the tight spaces.

It looks super cool! You can also add a 'shelf' piece to make it really look like a cave, then have that flat surface on the shelf to place coral!

I have three caves in my tank and my LFS help me set it up. One thing tho, they didnt really spend much time with the glue.. so when my tank was cycled and I went in there to do some cleaning I knocked off some pieces. When you are ready to glue or use epoxy (or both), ensure you are generous to make sure they stick. Coraline algae will grow over so they wont look ugly after two months. And it really sucks trying to move/lift/re-assemble/glue rockwork while underwater..

The top piece is a huge shelf right now. Also I’m going to be be using the emarco mortar to hold it together once I figure out the perfect set up. Just want to make sure to have the right room all over the rock for coral. Can you put coral under the shaded areas that don’t get as much light?

 

[Jlmiller173]

I generally wouldn't go any higher. You might add 1 small piece of rock that is a little higher. If you are going to have sand and plan on vacuuming the sand the 1 inch all the way around is too tight - just something to think about.

I never realized that about having the sand. So would you say to add another inch to around the sides?

 

[wenliu51]

The top piece is a huge shelf right now. Also I’m going to be be using the emarco mortar to hold it together once I figure out the perfect set up. Just want to make sure to have the right room all over the rock for coral. Can you put coral under the shaded areas that don’t get as much light?

I have plenty of coral under the shaded areas. Its not fully dark but has partial shade and there are corals that dont require much light!

 

[Jlmiller173]

I have plenty of coral under the shaded areas. Its not fully dark but has partial shade and there are corals that dont require much light!

So more like lps and softies then in the shaded areas?

 

[wenliu51]

So more like lps and softies then in the shaded areas?

Correct! You can have them all

 

[Weasel1960]

Overall looks good you should keep 2” to 3” along glass for cleaning so as your corals grow you will still have some space available. Love the cove idea.

 

[Jlmiller173]

Overall looks good you should keep 2” to 3” along glass for cleaning so as your corals grow you will still have some space available. Love the cove idea.

Thanks for the advice yeah I’m reworking the scape this weekend to include the gap better

 

[Jlmiller173]

Here is the final rendition of the aquascape I think... thoughts? I put the table top for acropora sticks later on and plenty of open area for flow. It’s also 2-2 1/2 inches off the glass on all sides

 

[ReefRusty]

The joys of aquascaping, I hope to have mine all stuck together tonight. Thats the plan anyways.

Looks great lots of coves and surface space for corals

 

[Jlmiller173]

The joys of aquascaping, I hope to have mine all stuck together tonight. Thats the plan anyways.

Looks great lots of coves and surface space for corals

That’s what I was going for lol wanted max surface area to play around with growing different coral on the table top will be SPS then lps and mushrooms everywhere else