First Reef Tank - Aquascape Feedback

[NH_Reefer]

Hi All,

Would love some opinions on my aquascape set-up. I went with an HNSA type scape as outlined in a lot of BRS videos. It's about 65-70lbs of Marco ReefSaver in a 75g tank.

Excuse the bad photos - the tank is currently filling with some water to soak off all the dust and glue etc from putting together the scape.

My only concern is getting around the rock to sand-vac, I had some issues with that in the past in my planted tanks with too much wood/rock hardscape.

Thanks!

 

[sfin52]

Hi All,

Would love some opinions on my aquascape set-up. I went with an HNSA type scape as outlined in a lot of BRS videos. It's about 65-70lbs of Marco ReefSaver in a 75g tank.

Excuse the bad photos - the tank is currently filling with some water to soak off all the dust and glue etc from putting together the scape.

My only concern is getting around the rock to sand-vac, I had some issues with that in the past in my planted tanks with too much wood/rock hardscape.

Thanks!

I like it. If you like the sides clean and scraped the left side may be a bit difficult to clean. The pics could make it look like that.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

I raised my aquascape up to provide flow not thinking ahead. fish pooh is heavy and sinks very fast.
I'm glad I raised it, my only solid structure is a cave but my pistol shrimp cleans it for me, in my experience you need room to get your hands in, especially removing anything unwanted and cleaning,

 

[sawdonkey]

For me, it looks a little fussy and I’d say you have either too much rock or you could use all of it if stacked tighter. I prefer very simple rock structures without a lot of bridges and swim throughs. A simple structure will let the coral do the talking down the road. Take a look at how simple my rock work was and then how it turned out after 2 years.
It’s your baby though. Do what looks good to you.

 

[AKLiving]

It looks great. It sounds like you have had a heavily scaped tank before so know how comfortable you are with the amount of space between the rock and sides. I appears a bit tight for me. I love the number of hides you have yet still very open.

 

[bradreef]

I agree that you could have a bit less rock. I personally think you should stay close to middle of the rank for rock height. You want the coral to grow up and out. Your rock is very close on the sides.

 

[jabberwock]

I also agree that it is a bit much. Think about access and maintenance. What if you need to pull rocks out?

Also, I will never use dry rock again. I don't want to be an algae farmer.

 

[NH_Reefer]

Its actually 4 separate pieces all of which are very easy to pick up and move, they just look like they are interlocking so if I need to remove a part it won’t be an issue.

 

[vtecintegra]

Looks too close to the glass and overflow in places. I'm good with the quantity of rock. Looks like you tried to build a habitat instead of one of those terrible NSA scapes. I would have built high in front of the overflow to try to mask it. I would level that plate that leans to the right, in front of the overflow.

 

[Lucardious]

Not to join the bandwagon but It does look a bit "busy". I think if you were to break up the 3 main portions (Left, Right and Center) and have a visual space between them. It would create some negative space to make the 3 portions pop a bit more.

Try and think about how the coral you want grow and allow some room for them to grow out comfortably. Cause after all a grown out tank you won't hardly see the rock work.

Also, some of the more angular portions while providing solid fish hiding space they could create dead zones for food and detritus to build up. Mostly one the left side of the tank.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hi All,

Would love some opinions on my aquascape set-up. I went with an HNSA type scape as outlined in a lot of BRS videos. It's about 65-70lbs of Marco ReefSaver in a 75g tank.

Excuse the bad photos - the tank is currently filling with some water to soak off all the dust and glue etc from putting together the scape.

My only concern is getting around the rock to sand-vac, I had some issues with that in the past in my planted tanks with too much wood/rock hardscape.

Thanks!

I like the way it looks, but I agree with everyone else saying I would remove some of the rock to keep it less "busy"

 

[Lucardious]

I like the way it looks, but I agree with everyone else saying I would remove some of the rock to keep it less "busy"

Definitely agree, I like the aesthetic of it. I myself wouldn't remove much. Especially it being dry rock. The more area for the microbiology to take hold the better.

Probably should've mentioned I liked the overall design idea earlier

 

[kevgib67]

I like what you have created. As long is there is room for a scraper on the sides and front it should be good to go. I have never cleaned my back wall, what cleaning is done is done by my cuc.