Newbie hello. Thank you Youtube algorythym!!

[BigskyinMinnie]

Working on putting together my first tank. I'll do a build thread at some point but after watching YT videos for 3 weeks, I'm hopefully on the right track with a Reefer XL200.

Currently working on the scape. How does it look? I've only gone about 1/2 way to the top of the tank with the height and haven't glued or mortared anything yet. I'll be starting out with beginner friendly inhabitants so likely no SPS. Also will be adding sand.

Thanks and excited to learn more and enjoy the hobby! Mike

Mike

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[PeterC99]

Welcome to R2R!

Great aquascape!

 

[SeaworthyAquatics]

Looks like a great start! I'd add a separate island in there for nice starter stuff like GSP that grows quickly so it doesn't take over the rest of the tank. Welcome to R2R!

 

[Schraufabagel]

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to R2R, good luck with your build

 

[Kennya]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Reeferjunkie]

Welcome to r2r

 

[jsker]

Hello and welcome to R2R!! :)

Great start with the aqua scape!!

 

[Tray21]

Welcome! Looks good! Kind of reminds me of a crab, definitely cool!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R! Like your 'scape looks really nice.

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!! If SPS is in the future in this tank down the road then I would make sure a portion of the higher section of the scape doesn’t reach no more than half way to the top. This will allow future SPS room to grow upwards down the road.

 

[Projects with Sam]

That's a nice scape!

Because you're using dry rock, have you considered doing a more involved scape that requires breaking up the rocks and mortaring/epoxying them together?
You mentioned you plan to use mortar so you can probably achieve more features/negative space / fish hidey-holes.

Search google for 'brs negative space aquascape'... They prefer epoxy and I've done both and prefer the mortar.

A tip for using the mortar, if you've broken up your rocks you'll have a lot of the very fine dust; put some of the polymer mix in a little spray bottle and save the dust and pebbles.

I built my scape one rock at a time (:() but since I was doing three separate sections It actually worked out later as they became more complex(:).)

Anyway, If you spray the mortar joins with the spray bottle after you pattern them with another rock and have them setup to dry, you can toss the dust at the wet mortar and it will stick pretty well.

With patience I've gotten better results with the mortar then the epoxy. Though, I do prefer the epoxy method to do smaller rockwork structures with the scraps.

 

[rmorris_14]

Welcome! I dig it. Kinda looks like the little rock person trying to give you a hug.

 

[Sean Clark]

Welcome.

 

[Utubereefer]

Lookin good. I got my start on YouTube as well. Now I contribute to the community!
https://youtube.com/shorts/_B_NmqAck8k?feature=share

 

[bnord]

Welcome and enjoy this time getting started
Nice start, only comment about height is if you are not going for SPS anytime soon, I for one think you can stretch the 1/2 way up the tank guideline. Usually used to help you from having corals break the surface

best of luck

 

[BigskyinMinnie]

That's a nice scape!

Because you're using dry rock, have you considered doing a more involved scape that requires breaking up the rocks and mortaring/epoxying them together?
You mentioned you plan to use mortar so you can probably achieve more features/negative space / fish hidey-holes.

Search google for 'brs negative space aquascape'... They prefer epoxy and I've done both and prefer the mortar.

A tip for using the mortar, if you've broken up your rocks you'll have a lot of the very fine dust; put some of the polymer mix in a little spray bottle and save the dust and pebbles.

I built my scape one rock at a time :)() but since I was doing three separate sections It actually worked out later as they became more complex:)).)

Anyway, If you spray the mortar joins with the spray bottle after you pattern them with another rock and have them setup to dry, you can toss the dust at the wet mortar and it will stick pretty well.

With patience I've gotten better results with the mortar then the epoxy. Though, I do prefer the epoxy method to do smaller rockwork structures with the scraps.

Great advice Sam!! I'll likely keep tinkering with it before starting the glue process. I did see a BRS video were they "dusted" the joints with rock powder. Lot's of nuance to this hobby!!!

 

[BigskyinMinnie]

Welcome and enjoy this time getting started
Nice start, only comment about height is if you are not going for SPS anytime soon, I for one think you can stretch the 1/2 way up the tank guideline. Usually used to help you from having corals break the surface

best of luck

@bnord I was thinking the 1/2 point might be a little short of the water surface. Thanks for the tip. I'll keep tinkering. Now if that tank would just get here!!!

 

[Just John]

Glad you're here!