Ok I’m stuck… but I think getting somewhere? hahaha

[Fruity Reefer]

I am playing with a scape design for a new tank;30 Gallon cube AIO.

I want to build up but not too high and I’m trying to keep minimal foot print so I can keep a bottom dweller happy with lots of room.

here is my current scape design and I would love feedback; the green circle is where I plan a Zoa garden and the blue is where I plan a torch of some sort… the rest I will plan as time goes on.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Let's see your lighting plans!

 

[Fruity Reefer]

I am fairly new to the hobby, I have an evo 13.5 that I've been running fish only for about a year, so if this isn't enough I am more than open to feedback!

I got the new tank with an AI Prime 16HD from my LFS so that is my only lighting plan currently and with budget, probably for a bit until I can afford something new haha.

 

[Johnny C]

The more holes and caves you have the better. Your fish will go in and out of every one. Then at night each fish will kind of claim their own spot. Also the more rock provides home for copiopods/pods and micro organisms which helps with water quality. Make sure the stone sits on the glass. Your fish and critters will dig under the rock and can make rock work unstable. Hope this helps

 

[welsher7]

I think it looks great. Is the inside or the outside of the tape your inner aquarium dimensions?

 

[Fruity Reefer]

I think it looks great. Is the inside or the outside of the tape your inner aquarium dimensions?

The inside of the tape, that’s the one thing that has me worried is the foot print.
I’m desperately trying to follow “30lbs for 30 gallons” but I am not quite sure how to fit it all haha

 

[TokenReefer]

Lol I had no idea there was a recommended amount just went by eyes

 

[TokenReefer]

It looks really good btw

 

[welsher7]

The inside of the tape, that’s the one thing that has me worried is the foot print.
I’m desperately trying to follow “30lbs for 30 gallons” but I am not quite sure how to fit it all haha

The 1lb or rock per 1g of water is outdated and comes from when we were using actual liverock that was sold saturated in water. Once you add corals to the scape you have now you will not have room to clean the glass. I generally aim to have around 3" of space between the scape and any glass that I intend to clean . It looks like you may be able to just push the whole scape back and maybe a little to the left to gain the clearance. Or back then turn it clockwise, so the rock you circled in green is facing more towards you.

 

[Fruity Reefer]

The 1lb or rock per 1g of water is outdated and comes from when we were using actual liverock that was sold saturated in water. Once you add corals to the scape you have now you will not have room to clean the glass. I generally aim to have around 3" of space between the scape and any glass that I intend to clean . It looks like you may be able to just push the whole scape back and maybe a little to the left to gain the clearance. Or back then turn it clockwise, so the rock you circled in green is facing more towards you.

I really appreciate that advice!
I think I am going to dumb my scape down a bit then and look for other bio media to supplement if I need to.

 

[welsher7]

No problem.

The rock should have enough surface area that you won't need additional bio media, you will just need good flow to keep the water moving. And remember with a tank this size to be conservative when stocking it with fish. Over doing it on fish could lead to poor water quality.

 

[Fruity Reefer]

The final scape installed and sand bed added.