Is my aquascape bland? I had no clue when i was aquascaping the tank. Also im getting two dead spots near the corner of the tanks were the water isnt braking as much. Is that fine? Tanks been up for about a year just now noticed
Flow placement and aquascape
- Thread starter Fishko
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It's a bit difficult to tell based on the angle, but have you tried separating the rocks into two segments and leaving some negative space in the middle? In theory, you might be able to shift the 2nd rock from the left towards the left rock (clustering them) and move the rock third from the left a bit more towards the "fourth" rock pictured farthest on the right. Here's an example of what I mean with the two clusters:
Additionally, if you have any leftover rock, you might consider placing a piece to make an arch between some of your rocks. Besides being visually striking, cleaners love to hang from arches
Additionally, if you have any leftover rock, you might consider placing a piece to make an arch between some of your rocks. Besides being visually striking, cleaners love to hang from arches
I was thinking about making an arch somewhere. Im going to be moving the tank to a new stand and ill make more space between the islands. I might use the marco cement to make an arch .Thanks!It's a bit difficult to tell based on the angle, but have you tried separating the rocks into two segments and leaving some negative space in the middle? In theory, you might be able to shift the 2nd rock from the left towards the left rock (clustering them) and move the rock third from the left a bit more towards the "fourth" rock pictured farthest on the right. Here's an example of what I mean with the two clusters:
Additionally, if you have any leftover rock, you might consider placing a piece to make an arch between some of your rocks. Besides being visually striking, cleaners love to hang from arches
I think with aquascaping two things I focus on now after so many times redoing. Find a look that is pleasing to you. Not everyone sees the same beauty. Second, make sure that it is good for your inhabitants. If you are having all free swimmers, need less rock, all that require hidey hole you need lots of rock. For certain corals, you need more sand space and some more rock space. A lot comes down to the look you want and animals you want.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Say no to arches. They serve almost no purpose in a tank and are not natural. No arches in the wild. As @DeniseAndy mentioned, build for your aquascape for fish and corals you want to have. Once corals are added and grow out, you wont even be able to see your scape any more.
I think we might be diving in very different locations. I certainly wouldn't say arches aren't natural. There are other predominant shapes that are often encountered more frequently, but I'm not sure how one could make such a statement?
Its a possibility for sure. I havent dove in warm waters that much, but cold water diving here locally, its walls, and rocks on top of the rocks, caves and crevices all around. Even when looking at pics of reefs I cant say I see arches though. Maybe they are more promenenet in some locations or at specific depths, I am not sure, but I know I am not only person to make this statement.
What you like and what is best for the fish/corals can be two different looks. Try to strike a compromise.
I've been on any number of dives where arches are the predominant feature of the reef. I would agree, however, that they are uncommon in freshwater areas.
On a smaller scale, in the front right of the picture is a 100% natural arch formed by my Montipora Confusa.
As for overall flow - what size tank and how many gph form those powerheads? I see mostly LPS and a few softies, so you should be aiming for someplace in the 40x+ range for in-tank flow. For the LPS it should be at least moderatly turbulent all the time. You can get that by moving the powerheads you have and perhaps adding more. I'd suggest moving the two you have to the back corners, about 1/3 of the way down, and pointing up and in towards the front center. The idea is to have the flow collide on the front glass and spread out from there. The turbulence at the surface will help greatly with oxygenation and the chaotic flow will help prevent the dead spots.
For my 120 SPS dominant DT, I use a pair of Maxspect Gyre 250's on the back glass that max out at 70%, a pair of Koralia 1500gph power heads placed in opposite back corners as I described above, and a 850gph koralia that sits low in back on one side who's only job is to keep flow going behind the rocks. I figure total in tank flow at about 70x. I don't include the return pump (eheim 1262 , maybe 800gph) in the calculations.
hth!
I've been on any number of dives where arches are the predominant feature of the reef. I would agree, however, that they are uncommon in freshwater areas.
On a smaller scale, in the front right of the picture is a 100% natural arch formed by my Montipora Confusa.
As for overall flow - what size tank and how many gph form those powerheads? I see mostly LPS and a few softies, so you should be aiming for someplace in the 40x+ range for in-tank flow. For the LPS it should be at least moderatly turbulent all the time. You can get that by moving the powerheads you have and perhaps adding more. I'd suggest moving the two you have to the back corners, about 1/3 of the way down, and pointing up and in towards the front center. The idea is to have the flow collide on the front glass and spread out from there. The turbulence at the surface will help greatly with oxygenation and the chaotic flow will help prevent the dead spots.
For my 120 SPS dominant DT, I use a pair of Maxspect Gyre 250's on the back glass that max out at 70%, a pair of Koralia 1500gph power heads placed in opposite back corners as I described above, and a 850gph koralia that sits low in back on one side who's only job is to keep flow going behind the rocks. I figure total in tank flow at about 70x. I don't include the return pump (eheim 1262 , maybe 800gph) in the calculations.
hth!
Tank is 29g the two power heads are tunze 6015 475gph. Ill try orienting them the way you recomended.What you like and what is best for the fish/corals can be two different looks. Try to strike a compromise.
I've been on any number of dives where arches are the predominant feature of the reef. I would agree, however, that they are uncommon in freshwater areas.
On a smaller scale, in the front right of the picture is a 100% natural arch formed by my Montipora Confusa.
As for overall flow - what size tank and how many gph form those powerheads? I see mostly LPS and a few softies, so you should be aiming for someplace in the 40x+ range for in-tank flow. For the LPS it should be at least moderatly turbulent all the time. You can get that by moving the powerheads you have and perhaps adding more. I'd suggest moving the two you have to the back corners, about 1/3 of the way down, and pointing up and in towards the front center. The idea is to have the flow collide on the front glass and spread out from there. The turbulence at the surface will help greatly with oxygenation and the chaotic flow will help prevent the dead spots.
For my 120 SPS dominant DT, I use a pair of Maxspect Gyre 250's on the back glass that max out at 70%, a pair of Koralia 1500gph power heads placed in opposite back corners as I described above, and a 850gph koralia that sits low in back on one side who's only job is to keep flow going behind the rocks. I figure total in tank flow at about 70x. I don't include the return pump (eheim 1262 , maybe 800gph) in the calculations.
hth!
I have a few sps in there that are getting flow. I am fine with getting another powerhead, but im not sure where i would put it. My torch is swaying pretty fast in the center, near the edges the flow slows down.
What you sometimes end up having to do is rearrange the placement somewhat. With the flow in my tank the LPS corals are in relatively protected spots up against the rocks. The SPS, OTOH, are all up and in the thick of it, happy as can be, growing like mad.
