My first reef scape, feedback appreciated.

[Kuzurí]

This is my first reef tank, Red Sea Reefer 170 (43gal). I've had it setup and running for just over 6 months with Softies and LPS corals. I'd like any opinions on how I aquascaped it, perhaps ideas for improvement. Thanks in advance.

Here is a 360 video of the tank:

I'm considering moving the rock (circled in yellow circled)...

... Maybe rotating 45° so it's the top arc, like so:

Perhaps also breaking up the rock (circled in blue) and using it around the tank or just putting in the sump for now.

 

[Mfield16]

I like the front view. Hate the side view lol. What’s your plan for corals? The blue circled rock is pretty high up in the tank, leaving little room for coral growth.

I vote remove big blue, and take yellow across the top like you have it “drawn” in Pic 2.

 

[Kuzurí]

I like the front view. Hate the side view lol. What’s your plan for corals? The blue circled rock is pretty high up in the tank, leaving little room for coral growth.

I vote remove big blue, and take yellow across the top like you have it “drawn” in Pic 2.

Thank you for your feedback @Mfield16. Yes, I agree there is very little room at the top of the tank. I didn't think about it and noticed it when I was doing a water change that much of the rock was exposed, which would mean I can't put coral there easily and as you mentioned doesn't really offer much for vertical growth. I plan to keep softies and lps corals, but I'd like to eventually have all of the rock covered, most at least.

Regarding the side view... What is it that you don't like? Any recommendations?
The left side does have some rock piled up that I was going to remove (it's the smaller white rocks wedged in the corner). The reverse "L" shaped rock may need to stay, due to my firefish and watchman goby created a cave under it that they call home.

 

[Mfield16]

It doesn't feel natural to me, personally. Maybe the open space is throwing me off. The fish will create a new den

 

[Cell]

Needs more variance and negative space imo. It's tough with such large pieces compared to tank size though. Consider breaking up some big pieces into smaller ones.

 

[Mfield16]

Try taking off the big rock top right, and putting the small curved rock on top of whats left.

 

[Kuzurí]

Try taking off the big rock top right, and putting the small curved rock on top of whats left.

I will do that, thank you!

 

[Kuzurí]

Made some adjustments based on recommendations (thanks @Mfield16 and @Cell ), let me know what you think.

 

[Mfield16]

That looks pretty cool. I like it.

 

[Cell]

I think it looks great! Much better with that space added underneath. Less like a pile of rocks and more like a deliberate scape. Nice work.

 

[Olefreebe]

The most recent setup is definitely the way to go. That's a beautiful Toadstool shaped Rock and you have it placed nicely.

 

[sp1187]

Wish I could see what it looks like now.
never mind. for some reason the pic wasn't showing up when I viewed with my phone.

 

[sp1187]

personally I preferred the old version to the new. with the addition of a rock or two the pump could have been hidden.(always a priority with me)

the rock sticking out of the water during water changes is a non-issue. I have 3 BTA's and a mini blasto colony that are above water for 20-30 minutes with no ill effect.

the thought process that "it's too high with little room for growth" comes more in to play with SPS.
blasto's, acans, favia, zoas, mushrooms, polyps are all low growing so could be placed towards the top of your scape covering all of the rock.

just another opinion.

happy reefing.

 

[Evanbardiel]

I really like your rock-scape. Removing that first piece in yellow would be good too thought. I like the negative space that would be left behind and the ease it would allow for you to clean in that area. You are going to have issues placing coral along that top but you may be able to add shelves along the face for better placement of certain types of coral.

 

[Mfield16]

Is the piece resting on the overflow glued down? That would make me a little nervous.

 

[Kuzurí]

Is the piece resting on the overflow glued down? That would make me a little nervous.

Not yet, but it will be. I like to let things sit for about 2 weeks before I glue. It's actually wedged in pretty good, so it will hold great until I glue it down.

 

[Kuzurí]

The most recent setup is definitely the way to go. That's a beautiful Toadstool shaped Rock and you have it placed nicely.

Thank you!