Need help with your aquascape?

[njohnson2]

it's carib sea life rock. A combination of the normal base rock, shelf rock, and shapes. BRS sells it but if I could do it over I would purchase it from my LFS. Some of the pieces I got were just too big to use and I ended up buying more of it from my LFS. However my LFS was significantly more expensive than BRS

Thanks for the information. I was planning to order 1 box of base and 1 box of shapes from BRS this weekend with the 10% off sale ... You landed with a great looking scape!

 

[njohnson2]

Once you fill it with sand, it will look very good!

@Ardeus: This has a fun thread to watch unfold. I have learned a ton from the examples posted and your videos. Thank you!

 

[Falco]

@Ardeus - love the thread so far, lots of great examples and suggestions!

I am working on a new tank build and I just received my tank. I am about a month away from setting It up (waiting on my stand/cabinetry to be finished) but wanted to get your input on how to scape the tank. I have not purchased any rock yet as I am still on the fence about going with LR or DR but I will figure that out in the next week or so.

I like the designs you suggested in the corner tank video you did but I am not sure if I can pull any of those off with my tank dimensions (32" W x 22"D x 30"H).

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Ardeus]

The tank is really tall in comparison with the footprint.

To make use of that height by piling rock is challenging.

Have you considered using reef branches, projecting from a base in the corner in different directions and heights? That would enable you to fill the tank with corals up to the top while keeping most of your sand open.

 

[Falco]

The tank is really tall in comparison with the footprint.

To make use of that height by piling rock is challenging.

Have you considered using reef branches, projecting from a base in the corner in different directions and heights? That would enable you to fill the tank with corals up to the top while keeping most of your sand open.

Thank you. Yeah the tank is an odd shape but its the biggest size I could go with the build in cabinetry we are doing. I really didn't give much thought to the aquascaping when ordering the tank but now that the time is getting closer I am starting to sweat bullets!

I like the idea of the branches. I was also thinking something like this arch maybe? I think if I plan to epoxy and rod the rock I can make a strong structure that will hold up.

 

[lapin]

Narrow tall base with a flat platform on top, is an option. Low light coral on bottom and sps on top. You could even break the surface with a spire or 2, like a volcano

 

[Ardeus]

Narrow tall base with a flat platform on top, is an option. Low light coral on bottom and sps on top. You could even break the surface with a spire or 2, like a volcano

That would work too, preferably avoiding big flat surfaces.

Arches almost never seem to work for me, but that may be just me. I know they are a favorite structure in reef scaping.

 

[Ardeus]

Here's someone building something along the lines of what I suggested



It's very much inspired by freshwater aquascaping.

 

[302lockedandloaded]

Here's someone building something along the lines of what I suggested



It's very much inspired by freshwater aquascaping.

I love the plants that stick out the top. Are those mangroves?

 

[Ardeus]

Yes. They are maintenance heavy though, you need to spray them with freshwater everyday to remove the salt from the leaves.

 

[Jwey]

Thanks for the help Ardeus

I re worked the right side

 

[Jwey]

I made some minor changes.
Corals moves back down as they are still acclimating to the light but will go back as last post.

 

[Ardeus]

Can you post a full tank shot?

 

[Jwey]

 

[Ardeus]

The left side looks good, the right side can be made more interesting.

You have the peaks of that right side all at the same level.

That big pillar is making the valley too narrow.

 

[Rebel107]

I need help and some organizing

 

[Ardeus]

I would break the layout in two structures creating a valley.

Is it easy to rotate that huge cladiella and move it near the bta, leaning towards the valley? It should be placed right at the back with at least part of the trunk hidden behind the rock.

They are the 2 largest corals in your tank and they should look good near each other.

 

[Alfonso Felan]

Rotate each of the structures 10 or 20 degrees. You will gain a bit more space on the sides and create a better sense of depth.

I would also put a rock on the sand in front of the left structure to make it more interesting depth wise.

Thank you very much!!
in the first picture it is a rock in front of the structure with star polyp coral
I was thinking to make the same structure but horizontal, because the only space that I have to place corals is on top and it is almost on the surface. What do you think

 

[Ardeus]

It still looks very tall and flat against the back, that's the reason I suggested rotating the sides a bit.

 

[Alfonso Felan]

It still looks very tall and flat against the back, that's the reason I suggested rotating the sides a bit.

Yes, i did not made any changes yet, should I rotate to the back?