Need help with your aquascape?

[James M]

For a real shallow tank I might consider rock islands. Maybe go barebottom to preserve as much height as you can. What are the dimensions?

This is not my tank (stolen image), but I think it is a cool example of small islands in a lagoon style tank

More of a tall than shallow tank
48.5 in L x 13 in W x 25 in H

 

[NY_Caveman]

More of a tall than shallow tank
48.5 in L x 13 in W x 25 in H

Oh, I was looking at it the other way. Very different. Narrow and tall is a challenge for sure. Similar to a standard 55 gallon, but even a few inches taller. I had a 55 in the nineties that was pretty simple. Aquascape was two separate large rocks with some smaller rocks thrown around. Those small rocks mostly came in from corals in those days (before tiny frags and frag plugs were all the rage). I definitely did not utilize the height well, as it only went up about half way. I honestly find columns to be a huge challenge because i am not a big fan of pillar aquascapes.

 

[James M]

Oh, I was looking at it the other way. Very different. Narrow and tall is a challenge for sure. Similar to a standard 55 gallon, but even a few inches taller. I had a 55 in the nineties that was pretty simple. Aquascape was two separate large rocks with some smaller rocks thrown around. Those small rocks mostly came in from corals in those days (before tiny frags and frag plugs were all the rage). I definitely did not utilize the height well, as it only went up about half way. I honestly find columns to be a huge challenge because i am not a big fan of pillar aquascapes.

I had an idea of just island and make some connect with bridges

 

[andrewkw]

Hello , Can anyone help me out here on this tanks aquascape

You might not like this suggestion, but I'd consider replacing the tank. Use this for sump / qt / frag and get a 75 or 90 or 40 breeder.

The standard 55/60 gallon tank is the worst tank size ever created. I don't know why it exists. I use one just for frags and even then I have issues with the lack of width. If you already have lighting and powerheads everything should scale up to a 75.

 

[James M]

You might not like this suggestion, but I'd consider replacing the tank. Use this for sump / qt / frag and get a 75 or 90 or 40 breeder.

The standard 55/60 gallon tank is the worst tank size ever created. I don't know why it exists. I use one just for frags and even then I have issues with the lack of width. If you already have lighting and powerheads everything should scale up to a 75.

I’ve been trying to sell it for months. I’ve bought all the supplies and I will just end up with the suggestion of buying a bigger tank .

 

[lfelipess]

I would move it close to one of the sides of the tank to reduce the shadowing problem. It's a stunning piece but it needs to be framed with other corals around it, so I would avoid putting it too isolated or high in the tank.

Given that you will have a much wider tank, you can also try putting it towards the back.

Dear @Ardeus,

I had finally moved to a bigger tank. I tried to follow your advice but would be extremely glad if you could evaluate the "final" result.

Regards,
L.Felipe

 

[metrokat]

Here is an update. This is the current version of my aquascape. Please excuse the frag racks on the left side. Look forward to your comments. Thanks.

 

[Crabby48]

Here is an update. This is the current version of my aquascape. Please excuse the frag racks on the left side. Look forward to your comments. Thanks.

I think it looks great. I put rock in mine and pulled it out probably 100 times. I think every time I dislike it more lol.
Is that a Red Sea xl425?

 

[metrokat]

I think it looks great. I put rock in mine and pulled it out probably 100 times. I think every time I dislike it more lol.
Is that a Red Sea xl425?

Thanks. Reefer 350.

 

[DuPageReef?]

I've never posted pics here, so hopefully this works. I have a 40b, has been very slow setting it up but finally ready to plumb, aquascape and start it up. I have 25lbs of BRS pukani and this is what I've come up with. First saltwater tank, so I'm worried about coral placement and making sure I have variety and options since I don't have the lighting nailed down, or any specific coral picked out. So definitely tear into it or point out anything I should adjust.

 

[sstanley223]

I've never posted pics here, so hopefully this works. I have a 40b, has been very slow setting it up but finally ready to plumb, aquascape and start it up. I have 25lbs of BRS pukani and this is what I've come up with. First saltwater tank, so I'm worried about coral placement and making sure I have variety and options since I don't have the lighting nailed down, or any specific coral picked out. So definitely tear into it or point out anything I should adjust.

I'm into it![emoji106] Seriously! Im fussy about rockscape. I would be happy with that!

 

[Nano man]

I would try and add some depth to it. Try this. Leave the left rock alone and move the right one white circle back a little bit and maybe 2-3 inches to the left then the Little Rock circled in red move to the yellow circle angled position and see how that looks.

 

[Geebs19]

I agree changing up the right side, the tall structure doesnt look like it has much room for coral placement. If you are looking to add quite a bit of coral, I would ensure you have adequate space.

 

[DuPageReef?]

I would try and add some depth to it. Try this. Leave the left rock alone and move the right one white circle back a little bit and maybe 2-3 inches to the left then the Little Rock circled in red move to the yellow circle angled position and see how that looks.

That sounds like a plan. I'll give that a shot.

 

[metrokat]

Here is an update. This is the current version of my aquascape. Please excuse the frag racks on the left side. Look forward to your comments. Thanks.

@Ardeus

 

[Ardeus]

Dear @Ardeus,

I had finally moved to a bigger tank. I tried to follow your advice but would be extremely glad if you could evaluate the "final" result.

Regards,
L.Felipe

This is a big challenge. That big montipora really throws the whole layout off balance. On top of that it's a huge coral among frags.

Without it, it looks great.

The most interesting part of the montipora is the top part, so you could try to put it behind the big structure, showing the upper part.

 

[Ardeus]

Here is an update. This is the current version of my aquascape. Please excuse the frag racks on the left side. Look forward to your comments. Thanks.

Very well balanced. The contrast between the 2 structures in shape and size make it very interesting too. I really love the whole concept and the way you created each of the structures and the sideways path between them, increasing the sense of depth.

My only suggestion would be to let the left structure extend a little bit more to the front.

 

[Ardeus]

I've never posted pics here, so hopefully this works. I have a 40b, has been very slow setting it up but finally ready to plumb, aquascape and start it up. I have 25lbs of BRS pukani and this is what I've come up with. First saltwater tank, so I'm worried about coral placement and making sure I have variety and options since I don't have the lighting nailed down, or any specific coral picked out. So definitely tear into it or point out anything I should adjust.

You have interesting rocks, but I see 2 big problems with the way you scapped it:

- the 2 structures have the same height;
- There's a vertical line on the left structure.

You can go with a single structure with an interesting shape, one side taller than the other and off centre. This will make the tank look bigger, as long as you keep a good distance from the rock to the side glasses.

You can go with 2 structures, one much bigger than the other.

You can even go with 3 structures, from left to right: big, tiny, medium. Kind of an Iwagumi layout.

 

[Charlie Denmark]

This is what I ended up whit.

It’s gonna be a sps tank, whit “easy and fast growing” montipora’s and fish wise it’s gonna be a couple of big angles a pair of flame angles and 3 butterfly’s (C. auriga)

What do you think? I’ve tried to keep the scape low, so the corals have space to grow up :-)

Tank is 7,5 feet long. The small tower in the bottom is part of the system.

 

[Ardeus]

It was a good decision to keep the rockwork low to account for coral growth.

But your tank will look the size it actually is if you remove rock from the sides, especially the left side.

My suggestion would be to create 2 well defined structures and a big gap between them, once again, to account for coral growth.