Should I Cap any Caves Towards the Back?

[Wandering Albatross]

Good morning all, I just got my new tank filled and started the cycle.

Since it will be a semi aggressive tank, what do you guys think of my aqua scape? I was limited by the tanks width of 12”, but instead of a single large structure I opted for 2 islands. I’m not keen on huge arches, but this was what had to work with. Should I cap the backs of any of the caves?

I’m open to the potential of some corals if everyone behaves, which may be used to partially close parts of the caves.

Second and third pictures are when I first added the sand, it hadn’t fully settled.

 

[EasternShoreman]

Leave em open!

 

[TX_REEF]

why?

 

[Awesome Opossum]

They are great for the fish to shelter

 

[Wandering Albatross]

why?

I wasn’t sure if they were too open, especially for fish that prefer more enclosed spaces. Thought I could plug the backs of some if need be to create that cave structure as opposed to the some of the swim through arches I have currently. If it’s not a big deal that’s great, I just want everyone to have a place to call theirs to minimize potential fighting.

 

[bushdoc]

My tangs love to swim through those arches, also you have more water circulation and no stagnant areas

 

[TX_REEF]

My tangs love to swim through those arches, also you have more water circulation and no stagnant areas

agreed - fish will find places to hide, i wouldn't cap any pass-throughs as they'll become detritus traps especially with waste-producing predators if that is your focus. what are your intended inhabitants?

 

[EasternShoreman]

BTW - I really like the scape!

 

[Wandering Albatross]

agreed - fish will find places to hide, i wouldn't cap any pass-throughs as they'll become detritus traps especially with waste-producing predators if that is your focus. what are your intended inhabitants?

Blue spot puffer
Coral beauty
Purple firefish pair
Purple stripe dottyback
Red scooter or hawkfish
Skunk clown pair
Melanurus wrasse
Maybe a couple Talbot or lemon damsels
Unchosen blenny
Jawfish or some kind of watchman

 

[TX_REEF]

Blue spot puffer
Coral beauty
Purple firefish pair
Purple stripe dottyback
Red scooter or hawkfish
Skunk clown pair
Melanurus wrasse
Maybe a couple Talbot or lemon damsels
Unchosen blenny
Jawfish or some kind of watchman

is that a 55 gallon tank? If so, I think that's too much stock, in my opinion. At any rate, be sure to add the damsels last.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

BTW - I really like the scape!

I like how it turned out, I only wish I had more room to make extra caves. Used macro cement and was a little concerned because it seemed a little gritty and wasn’t sticking, but I left it totally untouched for 24 hours and it’s super solid now.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

is that a 55 gallon tank? If so, I think that's too much stock, in my opinion. At any rate, be sure to add the damsels last.

It was supposed to be a 60-75 but family member missed the memo a little, but yes it is. Damsels would have been last anyway, I’ve heard too many horror stories of them going crazy. They weren’t initially on the stocking plan, but I added them as a backup if I needed to pull someone who may be too timid.

Several of those are also able to be removed from stocking or moved to the 150 as needed. The only 2 that are non-negotiable are the melanurus and the puffer.