Coral quantity in a tank

[Schteeve]

I've seen a lot a pictures on here already and theres two very distinct types. the Minimalists with lots of negative space, open sand, and neatly placed rocks and corals.
and then we have the cram it all in there! type where theres nothing visible except corals, both soft and hard, in every space of the tank!

I wonder which is more realistic? are corals in the wild filling every bit of space they can? or is there plenty of space around them, sand showing through, and negative space for fish to swim in (not including the obvious negative space of away from the coral and rocks)

 

[Waters]

It depends on the reef and location.....coral will keep growing and filling in negative space in the ocean, but due to the amount of water and space available, there is still a ton of negative space obviously. On top of that, there are coral predators that are constantly eating and picking. I think both options are realistic in a tank....just depends on what snapshot you are taking of the ocean's reef There are both coral crammed reefs and little coral islands isolated from everything else in the oceans.

 

[Auquanut]

In the aqurium, it really comes down to what you prefer. In the wild, I've seen both. Of course, corals are great biological filters so I can't get enough.

 

[Schteeve]

Thanks for your answers personally im in love with negative space in a tank (as counter-intuitive as that sounds) so a very carefully 'scaped reef will be perfect for my tank

 

[Waters]

Thanks for your answers personally im in love with negative space in a tank (as counter-intuitive as that sounds) so a very carefully 'scaped reef will be perfect for my tank

You are not alone.....the wall of rock and coral has become almost non-existent now. The most interesting aquascapes are those with carefully planned negative spaces.

 

[blasterman]

Negative space because it's designed that way, or negative space because those dozen SPS frags glued to rocks aren't growing?

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

All about that room to grow, places to hide, and different viewable aquascapes that still look amazing on all sides.

Pic from above. I want everything to fill it’s own space.

 

[Waters]

Negative space because it's designed that way, or negative space because those dozen SPS frags glued to rocks aren't growing?

Lol good point...I guess all new setups (as well as failing ones) have lots of negative space

 

[Coralreefer1]

Remember that many corals have sweeper tentacles with some corals being more potent than others. Corals will always fight for space and light just like trees and plants in the Amazon River Basin. Because of this, some reef tanks may be able to house more corals or cover more space within a tank.

 

[Schteeve]

All about that room to grow, places to hide, and different viewable aquascapes that still look amazing on all sides.

Pic from above. I want everything to fill it’s own space.

That gren boi in the top right corner of the pic looks amazing! is that bubble coral?

 

[SMSREEF]

I've seen a lot a pictures on here already and theres two very distinct types. the Minimalists with lots of negative space, open sand, and neatly placed rocks and corals.
and then we have the cram it all in there! type where theres nothing visible except corals, both soft and hard, in every space of the tank!

I wonder which is more realistic? are corals in the wild filling every bit of space they can? or is there plenty of space around them, sand showing through, and negative space for fish to swim in (not including the obvious negative space of away from the coral and rocks)

I think if your lucky and keep good parameters, you start with lots of negative space and end up with no negative space due to corals growing.