First reef tank aqua scape

Master of Cloak · Sep 30, 2019

Hello, this is my first attempt at a rock scape for my 75 gallon reef tank. Any input would be appreciated

Peace River · Sep 30, 2019

I like the height and the caves! Are you planning to keep fish, coral, both? One thing to think about is that it is important to leave yourself enough space between the rock work and the glass so that you have room to clean. You are off to a good start!

Sako338 · Sep 30, 2019

Looks good, make sure your rock is on the bottom glass and not on top of the sand or other substrate. Burrowing critters could get crushed.

Master of Cloak · Sep 30, 2019

Peace River said:
I like the height and the caves! Are you planning to keep fish, coral, both? One thing to think about is that it is important to leave yourself enough space between the rock work and the glass so that you have room to clean. You are off to a good start!

Im planning on both. I think the top left rock would be good for monti's once I get there. As for space, I made sure to have 2 inches between the rock and glass on all sides as I don't like the look of coralline algae on glass.

Sako338 said:
Looks good, make sure your rock is on the bottom glass and not on top of the sand or other substrate. Burrowing critters could get crushed.

Thanks for the tip! Didn't even think of that.

Master of Cloak · Sep 30, 2019

After playing around with the scape some more I have gotten to this point

Justfebreezeit · Sep 30, 2019

Looks good. Maybe a tad high on the left. Not allot of room for growth up there

SighKenny · Sep 30, 2019

Here’s my 75 gallon aquascape

SighKenny · Sep 30, 2019

that was about two months ago before i got any fish the flat red rock on the bottom center is completely covered by sand now thanks to my shrimp and goby living under it

fcmatt · Sep 30, 2019

If I was going to have a high point I would make sure there was no shadowing due to being close to a side. Because I would pop some light loving acros up there. I also agree it may be a touch too high.

Master of Cloak · Sep 30, 2019

Justfebreezeit said:
Looks good. Maybe a tad high on the left. Not allot of room for growth up there

I was planning on maybe zoas or other low growing corals.

SighKenny · Sep 30, 2019

fcmatt said:
If I was going to have a high point I would make sure there was no shadowing due to being close to a side. Because I would pop some light loving acros up there. I also agree it may be a touch too high.

does mine look fine ive been contemplating changing it slightly since i have barely any fish stocked so far

fcmatt · Sep 30, 2019

Sigh, i would create your own post for your aquascape. It gets confusing when we are discussing 2 different tanks!

Master of Cloak · Sep 30, 2019

Here’s what it looks like without the rock on the top left.

fcmatt · Sep 30, 2019

master.. since i like SPS i think in terms of them and lighting. All i know is the sweet spot is about 60% of the tank lighting wise. cutting out 20% from each side. So I tend to focus my rock work with that in mind. So frankly I see prime real estate way too close to the sand. But each person has their own goals and tastes!

I would probably shoot for a tight channel down the middle with the peaks in the center. Then i would fade down towards the edges of the tank. Basically a canyon type look.

Master of Cloak · Sep 30, 2019

fcmatt said:
master.. since i like SPS i think in terms of them and lighting. All i know is the sweet spot is about 60% of the tank lighting wise. cutting out 20% from each side. So I tend to focus my rock work with that in mind. So frankly I see prime real estate way too close to the sand. But each person has their own goals and tastes!

I would probably shoot for a tight channel down the middle with the peaks in the center. Then i would fade down towards the edges of the tank. Basically a canyon type look.

Since its my first reef tank I am focusing on softies and LPS until i get the hang of it. Maybe I will add some sps eventually.

kanders87 · Sep 30, 2019

I like it with the high rock on the left. Maybe have it so it could be removed later if needed.
Looking good!

sawdonkey · Sep 30, 2019

Master of Cloak said:
Here’s what it looks like without the rock on the top left.

Looks great like this. I know it’s a little less interesting without the tall rock, but I’m a fan of simple rock structures. Let the coral be the details later. Overwrought rockwork just gets lost in the coral later.