Glimmers in the glass: Do you use the glass reflection to enhance your aquascape?

[Peace River]

Glimmers in the glass: Do you use the glass reflection to enhance your aquascape?

While the primary view for most aquariums is the front pane of the aquarium, there are multiple other angles to look at our tanks. This may be a top-down view, an end view, or even a reflection of the glass. For example, a peninsula tank that is set up to be viewed from multiple sides may be aquascaped with multiple viewing angles in consideration. Similarly, a lagoon style tank may be aquascaped with the top-down view being the primary perspective and the front and side shots being secondary. We may not be able to make our existing tanks physically bigger, but by using the reflections we can make the tank look bigger and we may be able to see new aspects of the aquascape. When thinking about your aquascape (maybe over-thinking your aquascape!), do you use the glass reflection to enhance your aquascape? If so, feel free to share tips in the related discussion!

Photo by @maramotreef; February 2024 Reef of the Month


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

 

[MoshJosh]

Nah, I just wanted my scape to look “cool” and have enough room in the front to scrape glass and enough room in the back for flow. . .

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Interesting idea. It's not one I've ever considered while aquascaping.

 

[vlangel]

My tank is a 56 g column tank so its pretty high. I have a chair so it can be viewed from straight on but from our sofa we look at a corner which provides an interesting view with the reflection. It doubles the fish at times which is cool. I will admit that it's all a happy accident however!

 

[shakacuz]

personally, i wouldn't know how to incorporate the reflection as part of the scape. but i can see that it does add to the depth of it.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This is an idea that would be interesting to use inside of a tank, but I have never tried this before

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

@maramotreef, that is a beautiful tank!!

 

[bryce.martin]

What are people doing now? Using a mirror to make the illusion of a larger tank instead of a black background?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Glimmers in the glass: Do you use the glass reflection to enhance your aquascape?

I did that by accident lol

 

[CMMorgan]

What are people doing now? Using a mirror to make the illusion of a larger tank instead of a black background?

I tried that once. It stressed out the fish. I had one angry clown.

 

[Arkardios]

Never even thought about that tbh. I usually just let corraline cover all but one side.

 

[saltnut]

I use the reflection on the sides to check behind the rock.

 

[jepuskar]

I disagree with whatever this is about...just get a bigger tank is always the right answer.

 

[Reef and Dive]

Yeah, for sure.

 

[Timfish]

Yup, admittedly though is a minor consideration since it's just the reflection off side panels. However with this system below with views from the top of the system reflections from all sides was considered.

 

[TastyScrants]

Business at the front, party at the back.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Yeah, for sure.

Those pictures look great!