Aquascaping Experts- Opinions Requested!

[Sonja P]

Started aquascaping last night on a new Waterbox build. This is our first go with a tank this size- so I had Waterweld, masonry bits and acrylic rods all ready to go!

Surprisingly everything was pretty sturdy once the aquascape was complete. Two questions-

1) any red flags with the current scape?
2) how rowdy do larger fish get with rock work? Should I be securing them even if they feel ok?

 

[Pntbll687]

I don't see any pics

 

[Sonja P]

Apparently you can’t upload pics on the app!

 

[DAMMITKAI]

Apparently you can’t upload pics on the app!

I can upload pics

 

[Sonja P]

I can upload pics

Hmm...made me go to the site to upload the pic!

 

[DAMMITKAI]

iOS or android?

 

[Pntbll687]

I'm a fan of open space. As long as there are holes for fish to swim through the rocks you'll be ok.

It doesn't matter if any of us like it, YOU have to look at it everyday.

I would separate some of the rock and make some islands, this would add some negative space and look a little more appealing.

Make sure you have some of the rock scape staggered front to back. This allows the fish to swim from the back to front, and helps about the left to right over and over swimming patterns.

But take everything anyone here says with a grain of salt (me included!). If you like it, then run with it.

 

[CNDReef]

Depends on how many larger fish you’re getting. Each fish should have its on sleeping quarters. Some like overhangs/ caves some like to be completely hidden. Triggers like to wedge themselves between rocks. If you’re worried about the fish just research their habitats and try to replicate some them.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I am a bit of a minimalist when it comes to aquascaping, so my response is probably skewed that way. That said, what you have there is pretty interesting. I would make these observations:

1. It seems like a lot of rock, do not feel you have to use all of the rock you have.
2. The top of the structure makes a horizontal line across the aquascape. I would mix up the heights a little more to make it less uniform and therefore more interesting. Your max height right now is about 2/3 the tank height which I think is right.
3. There is a lot of different kinds of rock you are using. I would try to keep like types together rather than mixing them around.
4. @Pntbll687 mentioned islands and open space. I do think your tank would benefit from some more negative space.
5. I would offer this link for ideas to an aquascape video series that I really found helpful:
   https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-aquascaping-video-series.392876/

This is all just food for thought based on my opinion. I think you have some beautiful pieces of rock. As mentioned before, find the aquascape that is most pleasing for you.
Good luck!

 

[TheWalkman99]

I will agree with maybe more negative space and separating into islands.

 

[Sonja P]

I'm a fan of open space. As long as there are holes for fish to swim through the rocks you'll be ok.

It doesn't matter if any of us like it, YOU have to look at it everyday.

I would separate some of the rock and make some islands, this would add some negative space and look a little more appealing.

Make sure you have some of the rock scape staggered front to back. This allows the fish to swim from the back to front, and helps about the left to right over and over swimming patterns.

But take everything anyone here says with a grain of salt (me included!). If you like it, then run with it.

Thank you!!

 

[Sonja P]

Thank you!! I started off with the minimalist mentality and quickly realized there was lack of space for coral placement, as this will be a mixed reef. And I had a lot of pieces I wanted to use yet.

I’ll keep working with it to give it more negative space and visual interest. It feels too heavy and stacked. Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[Sonja P]

iOS or android?

iOS

 

[Denisk]

Well luckily with a size this tank it really gives you a ton of options. I agree with above as I’m a minimalist as well however I also have set up many many tanks for myself and others and always say it depends on what fish you’re going to keep and what type of corals. Whenever I set up tanks that are on the larger side, I recommend having a lot of caves or nooks for fish to hide since you will probably have it stocked fairly well.
But I recommend you search some google images and you can see how sps aquascapes vary greatly from a softie dominated tank. Especially if you can see the before and after of the tank being fully stocked so that way you can see how things were fully grown out. Remember, everyone will have a different opinion on this and I can assure you there is no right or wrong way. I’ve seen some super weird aquascapes but when they were stocked, the tank was gorgeous and I was speechless. Hopefully that helps a little bit.

 

[Sonja P]

Assuming by the minimalist responses, there’s been a change of thought in needing 1-2# rock per gallon? I had about 200# and am left with ~50#.

Which means I’m currently at 150# of rock in a 140g tank. Could I take half out and be ok?

 

[norfolkgarden]

Lol, Minimalism is for some people's aesthetics.

Your fish despise it!

Unless you're keeping a ray or a small shark, all of your fish, even the sand dweller's, spend time near the rocks.

The more rock space the more potential homes.

It looks perfect just the way it is!
It looks like you have very little rock touching the glass and you should have good flow under and around it.

Beautiful aqua scape!

 

[shawnriv]

Hi Sonja,

I'm a minimalist aquascaper myself. When creating a new aquascape I use the rule of thirds. For example, I just finished cycling my new tank (I have the Red Sea Reefer 350) which is 91 gallons including display and sump. I only used 35lbs of dry Reef Saver rock. I was able to create enough small tunnels for fish to hide/sleep and also open water to swim. IMO the more rock you have, the less swimming room there is for the fish that need it (tangs, anthias, etc.) which may lead to aggression and stress. I also think it looks cleaner and more thought-out versus looking like someone just dropped a bunch of rocks into a tank. I also prefer minimalism because there is less in the way of flow and no deadspots. Again, just my own personal opinions.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Assuming by the minimalist responses, there’s been a change of thought in needing 1-2# rock per gallon? I had about 200# and am left with ~50#.

Which means I’m currently at 150# of rock in a 140g tank. Could I take half out and be ok?

1 to 2 pounds of rock is old school filtration.
It still works quite well.

We are fortunate to have new and better methods of filtration that make the Minimalist fad possible.
The eighties and nineties were basically tanks full of rocks.
Just as a change people have tried to move away from that just to do something different.
A few of the minimalist scapes have been some of the prettiest art pieces I have ever seen.
They involved 1 or 2 huge pieces of rock, Another had just some extremely branching Tongo rock.

Not a lot of room for fish that sleep in the rocks at night, which is most of them.

The main disadvantage of having more rock is more detritus can settle in it.

Hope that gives some clarification.
[emoji4]

 

[NY_Caveman]

I would say the minimum amount of rock is 0.75 to 1 lb. per gallon. As you and @norfolkgarden mention, up to 2 lbs. is sometimes considered.

 

[Pntbll687]

Assuming by the minimalist responses, there’s been a change of thought in needing 1-2# rock per gallon? I had about 200# and am left with ~50#.

Which means I’m currently at 150# of rock in a 140g tank. Could I take half out and be ok?

Half would be ok. Just don't overload with fish at once. You gotta let the bacteria population grow with bio load.

If you have some spare funds, grab some marine pure blocks for the sump. It will give lots of surface area for bacteria, and allow minimal rock in the display. Doesn't have to be marine pure, could be brightwell xport or any high surface area media to use for biological filtration.