Thoughts on this aquascape

[reefingformysons]

Hi guys,

So I have recently set up a Fluval evo 13.5 and have fallen in love with it so much I’m trying to stop myself from pulling the trigger on a 300l+ aquarium.

This is my first reef tank so do not expect it to go perfectly but the biggest part I struggled with is the aquascape.

I wanted something mostly open so everything is easily visible and the flow around the tank is good but at the same time wanted hiding places for the fish to go in case they felt scared or wanted to lay low.

I opted for an open arch on the left of the tank followed by an half arch/cave structure to the right of the tank for them to get some cover.

I’m torn between putting a rock in the top middle to join the two sections together and create another ‘arch’ or just leaving it open as it is

I wanted to get some opinions on what people felt would be best to do

Thanks in advance

 

[Troylee]

You’ll run outta places real quick for corals to grow and have shadowing… that’s been my experience…

 

[reefingformysons]

You’ll run outta places real quick for corals to grow and have shadowing… that’s been my experience…

So what would you suggest?

 

[Troylee]

The right side isn’t bad from what I can see.. the left I’d fill that hole with a rock or rocks and just leave passage ways.. fish are gonna need places to hide and live! And the convict tang is gonna need a much larger tank to live its life out.. it will get stressed in that tank very quickly and get sick and die.

 

[J&K Reefers]

In my opinion I think it looks good. The question really is, what are your plans for the tank? Corals or just fish with anemones? It really is too small for the tang and more hiding places are needed. At the end of the day what matters is how it looks to you. Aquascaping is so subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With such a small tank your options are limited.

 

[reefingformysons]

In my opinion I think it looks good. The question really is, what are your plans for the tank? Corals or just fish with anemones? It really is too small for the tang and more hiding places are needed. At the end of the day what matters is how it looks to you. Aquascaping is so subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With such a small tank your options are limited.

Well the reason I got the tang was because I intend to upgrade to a much larger tank. I was initially thinking in a couple months but have struggling to not just go for it now lol. Been trying to figure out the best tank to go for and as soon as I narrow it down to a couple options I’ll buy it.

I love the idea of corals more so will be mainly
Focused on those but will have a few fish along the way to also watch and enjoy.

 

[J&K Reefers]

I would suggest getting the biggest tank you can fit in your fish room. I started with a 170 and added a 120. Now I am replacing the 120 with a 300. I hate to say it, but you sound like me. A bigger tank clearly gives you so many more options. Utilitarian fish and inverts are my first choice. This is my 170 gallon tank now at 8 months

 

[J&K Reefers]

Dog pic by accident

 

[reefingformysons]

I would suggest getting the biggest tank you can fit in your fish room. I started with a 170 and added a 120. Now I am replacing the 120 with a 300. I hate to say it, but you sound like me. A bigger tank clearly gives you so many more options. Utilitarian fish and inverts are my first choice. This is my 170 gallon tank now at 8 months

You tank is beautiful! I defiantly need something bigger for sure. I think I wanna go upto 250/300l for now then get a larger one in the near future once I move to my new place.

Who doesn’t love a dog pic lol

 

[X-37B]

I like the scape. If I did anything I would move the right rock an inch or 2 away from the aio wall.
It will give better flow and you can attatch corals to the back for a cool look.
My old 20g cube at 10 months before I took it down.

 

[reefingformysons]

I like the scape. If I did anything I would move the right rock an inch or 2 away from the aio wall.
It will give better flow and you can attatch corals to the back for a cool look.
My old 20g cube at 10 months before I took it down.

That tank looks amazing for such a small size! What corals do you recommend for attaching to the back?

 

[J&K Reefers]

Thank you, I have no doubt you will fall further in love with this hobby with a larger tank.

 

[reefingformysons]

Thank you, I have no doubt you will fall further in love with this hobby with a larger tank.

I think I just bought a Fluval Roma 240 lol just need to figure out the equipment list to make it into a reef tank but should be delivered by end of this week obsessed is an understatement

 

[J&K Reefers]

That is awesome!! I have a reef mat, skimmer, uv sterilizer, maxspect jump pump, bio brick and extra rock in the sump. I also have a carbon and gfo reactor that I never use. This is in the 170. I have 4 AI 26HD lights that came with the tank. Good luck!! Try to get your hands on equipment that will make everything easier. You will enjoy it so much more!!

 

[reefingformysons]

That is awesome!! I have a reef mat, skimmer, uv sterilizer, maxspect jump pump, bio brick and extra rock in the sump. I also have a carbon and gfo reactor that I never use. This is in the 170. I have 4 AI 26HD lights that came with the tank. Good luck!! Try to get your hands on equipment that will make everything easier. You will enjoy it so much more!!

All mine comes with a Fluval external filter and heater. I just don’t understand, if it’s come with the external filter how do I hook up a reefmat and skimmer to it?

 

[X-37B]

That tank looks amazing for such a small size! What corals do you recommend for attaching to the back?

From my experience I would only do 1 type on the back. Its difficult to keep them away fron each other.
Any encruster will do, lepto, cyphastrea, setosa, green slimer.
I always put a green slimer nub on my overflows now.
Just a quick cell pic of my 80g overflow. Slimer and setosa.
Slimer is 6 months growth and setosa 4 months from a nub.
2nd pic is a pavona potato chip coral on my 30g overflow.