First rockscape Please Judge!

[Nick Steele]

Today I received my shipment of rocks! This is my first reef tank therefore my first rock scape. Had to ship tank back due to scratches but I cut cardboard to match the dimensions and this is what I came up with in about 15 minute


Only one cave in this assortment. Really like the rock structure on the left but it only gives one cave.

This is the second one I came up with. Like this one much better as it gives two different caves with 2 entrances in the front and three from the back.

Stocking plan is:
2 clowns
Possum wrasse
Aquacultured mandarin

As for corals I know I want pompom Xenia or green star polyps that’s the purpose of the island in front.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Today I received my shipment of rocks! This is my first reef tank therefore my first rock scape. Had to ship tank back due to scratches but I cut cardboard to match the dimensions and this is what I came up with in about 15 minute


Only one cave in this assortment. Really like the rock structure on the left but it only gives one cave.

This is the second one I came up with. Like this one much better as it gives two different caves with 2 entrances in the front and three from the back.

Stocking plan is:
2 clowns
Possum wrasse
Aquacultured mandarin

As for corals I know I want pompom Xenia or green star polyps that’s the purpose of the island in front.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

Second looks good to me. If you could, I would add some rubble around the "caves" to give some sleeping spots for the fish.

 

[Fishy212]

Digging the second setup, more views for you and your fish. Maybe a nice softie for the center where the two arches meet???
Looking good!

 

[Nick Steele]

Second looks good to me. If you could, I would add some rubble around the "caves" to give some sleeping spots for the fish.

Will the rubble be like a floor for fish? I’ve never recognized it in others tank. there will be sand in as well.


I got plenty of rock left to make rubble as I order 40lbs and not even using half I think lol

 

[KrisReef]

Looks good, trusting you have room to clean glass and substrate (sand?) behind the rocks.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Will the rubble be like a floor for fish? I’ve never recognized it in others tank. there will be sand in as well.


I got plenty of rock left to make rubble as I order 40lbs and not even using half I think lol

Fish like hiding spots when lights go out to sleep, except for sand burrowing wrasses. Reduces stress.

On the natural reef, they find nooks and crannies to get into to hide at night. Keeps them hidden from predators and makes them feel safe.

 

[Nick Steele]

Digging the second setup, more views for you and your fish. Maybe a nice softie for the center where the two arches meet???
Looking good!

thanks! I’m not too good with coral placement yet but there is a lot of opportunity in this scape I feel like.

Looks good, trusting you have room to clean glass and substrate (sand?) behind the rocks.

I believe I do cleaning the sand back there might be a little tricky but I’ll adjust it a little once I get the tank I’m sure.

 

[Streetlamp]

I'm actually prefer the first. There's more variety to it.

 

[Nick Steele]

I'm actually prefer the first. There's more variety to it.

I just don’t think it has enough hiding spots for the fish. I’m still playing with it slightly as I think the two caves need to have an obstacle between them so the fish can hide without see each other but maybe I’ll do that with a coral instead of rock.

 

[Streetlamp]

How about butt the middle rock against the right rock in a t or L shape, then create an island/pinnacle in the central area?

 

[Bossman]

I think your second scape looks really nice! I love watching my fish swim in and around the rock work. Your fish will like it too.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I really like the second one, but it seems a little small. If you like the arches a lot, you could maybe build another on the right where the two arches meet.

 

[CasaReefer]

Votes... For the second scape...

 

[S.Pepper]

Today I received my shipment of rocks! This is my first reef tank therefore my first rock scape. Had to ship tank back due to scratches but I cut cardboard to match the dimensions and this is what I came up with in about 15 minute


Only one cave in this assortment. Really like the rock structure on the left but it only gives one cave.

This is the second one I came up with. Like this one much better as it gives two different caves with 2 entrances in the front and three from the back.

Stocking plan is:
2 clowns
Possum wrasse
Aquacultured mandarin

As for corals I know I want pompom Xenia or green star polyps that’s the purpose of the island in front.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

A little to the left and a little to the right and you should be good to go.

Looks good, my friend. And yeah, ur going to change it again. Trust me.;Hilarious

 

[Nick Steele]

How about butt the middle rock against the right rock in a t or L shape, then create an island/pinnacle in the central area?

Which rock exactly? I’m a little loss on this comment lol. Do you mean the rock I have as my island in front? Cause if so that’s actually two rocks joined together.

I think your second scape looks really nice! I love watching my fish swim in and around the rock work. Your fish will like it too.

Thanks!

I really like the second one, but it seems a little small. If you like the arches a lot, you could maybe build another on the right where the two arches meet.

The only problem here is the tanks only 13” tall and water level is probably 12” maybe little smaller. The top of the left side sits at 7” and the right side is at 5”

A little to the left and a little to the right and you should be good to go.

Looks good, my friend. And yeah, ur going to change it again. Trust me.;Hilarious

Yeah I planned to play with it all week until the tank gets here Thursday but I like the scape I made already trying not to mess it up.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

The only problem here is the tanks only 13” tall and water level is probably 12” maybe little smaller. The top of the left side sits at 7” and the right side is at 5”

I didn’t realize the tank was that short. I think you’ve definitely got a very good scape given the tank dimensions.

 

[Streetlamp]

Yes your island I thought it was one piece. It looks if they were placed together it would create a little cave.

 

[Nick Steele]

Yes your island I thought it was one piece. It looks if they were placed together it would create a little cave.

Yeah those two prices fit together perfectly and looked good so it became an island lol.

I came up with another scape I like it besides the fact that the big cave on the left is now block by an arch.

I think the main arches on the right and left are staying I just have to find a happy median with another arch or an island. I know I want a fungia plate coral and I need room on the sand bed for it so I will have to fiddle some more.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Yeah those two prices fit together perfectly and looked good so it became an island lol.

I came up with another scape I like it besides the fact that the big cave on the left is now block by an arch.

I think the main arches on the right and left are staying I just have to find a happy median with another arch or an island. I know I want a fungia plate coral and I need room on the sand bed for it so I will have to fiddle some more.

Ooh, that’s even better! You could also try to make a bridge between the two base rocks in the middle. So that there isn’t any confusion, this is where I am suggesting a bridge.

Edit: there should be plenty of room for a plate coral in the front right corner still.

 

[Jon Fishman]