Favorite Aquascaping Styles: Bonsai, Floating, Island etc?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

We just got back from RAP NY and we had an amazing time. Walking around the show floor some of the tanks I saw had some beautiful and well thought out aquascaping. One aquascape in particular I instantly loved but it occurred to me that this style of aquascaping (arches and caves) being displayed might not be as appealing to others as it was to me. Which leads to the QOTD today! I'm a sucker for a cool aquascape so I thought we would talk about it today.

1. What is your favorite style of aquascaping and why?

2. What aquascaping aspects do you like to incorporate into your tank?


image via @W.vreeswijk

 

[SPS2020]

I'm a fan of NSA and islands. NSA for depth of field and islands are great to be able to move (or remove) as the tank grows out.

 

[sp1187]

you left out tunnels.

 

[Devaji]

I'm a fan of NSA and islands. NSA for depth of field and islands are great to be able to move (or remove) as the tank grows out.

^ this 100%

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

you left out tunnels.

Added!

 

[sp1187]

Added!

feeling the love brother.

 

[srobertb]

Added!

My son would have a word. You left out T-Rex skulls, treasure chests, and sponge bob’s house.

 

[dieselkeeper]

I voted for stacked walls because that is what I have. Went with island when upgrading. Started with island but added more rock 6 months after to mount more corals.

 

[Kellie in CA]

I lean towards less is more with aquascaping, and I definitely prefer a more natural look.

 

[homer1475]

One of my friends with a reef tanks has a sponge bob house(pineapple) in his tank. Funny thing is his clowns have dubbed it home, keep it algae free, and actually sleep inside it!

 

[thatone08]

My son would have a word. You left out T-Rex skulls, treasure chests, and sponge bob’s house.

Sounds like my son.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I love the island and lagoon look. My first ever snorkeling in Hawaii was this type and I fell for it. I keep tons of open swimming for the fish, lots of nooks/crannies, caves and tunnels.

 

[fish farmer]

All of them.

I've been watching coral reef videos on You tube recently mostly stuff shot in the Red Sea. Pretty much every aquascape style seems to be represented in nature. Lone rocks over a sandy bottom with a few coral clusters, massive vertical walls, overhangs with caves, surge zone reef flats, coral valleys, ship wrecks being overtaken...it's all there if you take look.

 

[ReefGeezer]

I suppose my tank has the stacked wall & cave look. I really like the island/negative space look, but I just couldn't make that look right in my 90 gallon. One day I'll get a background on it.

 

[Wieloch89]

Just started my negative space last night. Still a ton to go but I have a good base for my 25 gallon peninsula

 

[Koigula]

One thing that always struck me with SPS tanks is have primitive the aquascaping is compared to planted tanks. It is understandable as it takes a year to cure rocks and grow. Look at this example.

 

[design.maddie]

I'm an Island with tunnels through it. I do have a huge cave in the back for the dottyback but all the dark spots that are small tunnels throughout the rockwork.

 

[Acroporaguy]

I'm all for minimal rockwork. As an SPS keeper, I want the corals to form the scape, not the rock. I could care less how the rock looks, because within a few years I shouldn't be able to see any bare rock.

 

[James_O]

I chose caves, arches, islands, and shelves.

I like all of the above because they are all natural.

 

[Sunny in Miami]

I love caves and arches my fish can com in and out of.