First tank, need aquascaping advice (video)

Ghrommi · Apr 15, 2020

I'm starting my first reef tank, and have troubles deciding about my aquascape. I tried to arrange rocks in different structures, but I'm not sure, which way would be the best, so I'm here seeking advice.
Here's the video of what I currently have. Cardboard represents the tank (Red Sea MAX E-170), but it will be smaller in reality since I used external dimensions and due to technical section in the back. Of course, nothing is permanently attached yet.

As you can see I also put a small island in front. I would like like to go with Xenia there, but I have concerns about its growth, so I might go with green star polyps instead.

So, what do you guys think?
Should I play around this archway idea or change it completely?
I fell like the structure is a bit too heavy, so I thought about breaking some rocks, so I can use smaller pieces to create more interesting shapes with more negative space. I already broke the largest and ugliest rock, so I don't have any problems with that. Losing that pretty purple color feels bad, but whatever, I would rather have no regrets about aquascape in the future.
Maybe some flow concerns?

Also, I do plan to use small pieces to make connection points more seamless, and there will be sand, but not much.
I plan to have mixed tank with mostly softies.

Any advice is appreciated.

Anchor · Apr 16, 2020

Well, I like how you have this.. OH and welcome to R2R.

My advice without telling you how to place anything is using rule of thirds.. essentially make a tic tac toe board on your viewing pane. then line things up on the board lines and have points of interest at the intersections.

Now as you your picture, assuming the cardboard represents your glass panes, I now tell you what I would do.. cause I do those kinds of things. I would move it back slightly.. allow 2 to 3 inches from the back glass. I would angle that arch a bit.. maybe put the tall portion closer to the corner left or right. Might allow more room for small islands in front. With all that said, I tend to clutter things up.. never looks right to me.. I move small rocks around too much.. so.. Ignore me..

At least as much as you can.

Bethany Yates · Apr 17, 2020

Your scape looks great! One tip, sometimes I like to take a drill and put some holes in my hardscape for future coral frag plugs. Plugs are usually about 7/8" if you decide to do it. There is nothing that I hate more than buying a new frag only to come in and find it upside down on the bottom of the tank.

Ghrommi · Apr 17, 2020

Thank you for the replies!
I agree it would be better to make it back a little bit, but I'm not sure how much space the technical section would take. I think it takes maybe like a fifth of the tank width. I don't have the real tank yet, so I cannot confirm. I think the delivery is delayed due to current situation.
About the coral plugs - I planned to use a bit of epoxy to keep them in place, is it a bad idea?

JoshO · Apr 17, 2020

I think it looks really good. One slight change for me would be to make it move of a C shape of you were looking top down!

Ghrommi · Apr 17, 2020

JoshO said:
I think it looks really good. One slight change for me would be to make it move of a C shape of you were looking top down!

Thanks for the advice, I will see what I can do about it. Generally I agree it the landscape would be better if it was more curved.

JoshO · Apr 17, 2020

Ghrommi said:
Thanks for the advice, I will see what I can do about it. Generally I agree it the landscape would be better if it was more curved.

I love how it looks front in, but it would give some good depth from a side perspective!

Anchor · Apr 17, 2020

Bethany Yates said:
Your scape looks great! One tip, sometimes I like to take a drill and put some holes in my hardscape for future coral frag plugs. Plugs are usually about 7/8" if you decide to do it. There is nothing that I hate more than buying a new frag only to come in and find it upside down on the bottom of the tank.

I second that drilling holes part.. If the rock is a bit dense, I would use a hammer drill.