First reef scape attempt - need input / critique

[kilnakorr]

2: if your intent is euphyllia and zoas mostly what' your concern with height?
5: my intent for my tank was no stony corals at all. strictly zoas, polyps, mushrooms and leathers. ideas change as you're tank grows. I've since added multiple stony and nems. just a thought.

I have no idea where I'll be in a year or two.
Maybe, I'd like to try some acros on the top, so I'd like to have the option.
I also like to have some open space for fish.
Adding a little more height might be fine, but I think I personally prefer it a bit lower.

 

[Glue Masters]

Like the way it is shaped, maybe add more thickness to the base.

 

[kilnakorr]

Like the way it is shaped, maybe add more thickness to the base

I actually prefer to keep the base smaller to allow better flow at the bottom.
Btw, you should have some retailers in Europe

 

[polyppal]

I kinda feel like somethings missing. Might be that third structure...

I don't have much depth to work with, but maybe bring left, closer to center and add a smaller structure to the far left?

The 2 branches lines up perfectly:

Room for small 3rd structure to the left:

This one looks best IMO, I wouldn't add a third rock off to the side because it would just look like a 'filler' third rock instead of contributing to the rest of the design.

Would add more structure to the back of each rock to fill out the space a little more though. A big finger along the back of the L piece that went up to make it look like a crescent (or peeled banana) shape, and maybe another big finger coming out of the top of the R piece?

Nice design though!

 

[kilnakorr]

This one looks best IMO, I wouldn't add a third rock off to the side because it would just look like a 'filler' third rock instead of contributing to the rest of the design.

Would add more structure to the back of each rock to fill out the space a little more though. A big finger along th

e back of the L piece that went up to make it look like a crescent (or peeled banana) shape, and maybe another big finger coming out of the top of the R piece?

There is very little room in the back, so adding more branches there won't be possible (or cleaning the back won't be possible).
I do feel the same way as you: The two braches lining up looks very good, with the large branch not touching the bottom, but also something is missing.

A few more pictures in daylight. To show the lack of room in the back.

 

[kilnakorr]

A little photoshop with added branches:

 

[kilnakorr]

So, I've made just a few changes. Simply added a double half arch to the left, and small branch on the top left structure.
I'm done!

I'm pretty happy with the look, and started to dislike everything I tried to add or alter.

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, they helped me alot!

Final scape

 

[PghReef]

Those branches will look really cool covered in a mixed zoas garden.

 

[polyppal]

Looks good! Fills out the tank more too

 

[kilnakorr]

Those branches will look really cool covered in a mixed zoas garden.

Let's hope so! Just gotta learn to keep them alive

 

[PghReef]

Aquascaping is a true art. I look forward to it because the start of a new tank with new scape is so exciting, but dread it at the same time. Doesnt take long before I'm cussing and feeling hopeless lol.

Thank God my wife is willing to help and has a much more artistic eye then me. My goal is always to make something that looks very natural and not like a stacked pile of rocks which I'm so good at doing. Doing that while keeping the structure stable, providing good spots for fish and coral placement, allowing space for cleaning, and trying to keep in mind flow is always a challenge. The process usually takes me a few months before I'm finally happy with it.

What are your long term plans for the tank?
You going to start a build thread?
Sump or sumpless?

 

[kilnakorr]

What are your long term plans for the tank?
You going to start a build thread?
Sump or sumpless?

It's my first saltwater tank, converted from freshwater. Not sure about my 'plans' other than plenty of corals and probably few fish.
I do have sump, with fuge (witch I need to redo tomorrow as I want to make room for a roller filter in the future).

 

[PghReef]

It's my first saltwater tank, converted from freshwater. Not sure about my 'plans' other than plenty of corals and probably few fish.
I do have sump, with fuge (witch I need to redo tomorrow as I want to make room for a roller filter in the future).

If youre going with a sump, I highly suggest adding some true liverock. Not from a lfs but a true LR supplier. I used Kpaquatics and used 30 lbs to seed 50 lbs of dry. You wont regret it.

 

[Tmtdvm]

I do like the idea of a stone like middle structure to break up your long flowing (smooth) surfaces. You’ll need a structure with a couple of tunnels/caves in it so timid fish can escape from more aggressive fish. There is no where to hide for them at this time. Just free space with minimal structure. The stick corals will add more biodiversity once they grow in but if you’re doing LPS dominant, you will need a cave type structure in there to compensate. They ran into this problem on BRS as well. I think it was on the like/dislike segment on the dream tank.

 

[kilnakorr]

If youre going with a sump, I highly suggest adding some true liverock. Not from a lfs but a true LR supplier. I used Kpaquatics and used 30 lbs to seed 50 lbs of dry. You wont regret it.

Probably won't be easy, as I would need to get it shipped internationally, so very pricey.
I do have 'microbacter7', so trying to start with that and hope I won't have to wait months for cycling.

You’ll need a structure with a couple of tunnels/caves in it so timid fish can escape from more aggressive fish. There is no where to hide for them at this time. Just free space with minimal structure.

The bottom of the left structure is quite hollow and makes a small cave. I'm not sure what type of aggressive fish are common, but will stay away from the most aggressive ones (not that much into the fishes, so I'll add whatever species that will fit my setup)