Habitat Negative Space Aquascape

[ffmurray]

Building my fist reef aquascape. I going for something like the BRS HNSA. I clearly still have a bunch to do… anyone have any suggestions before I epoxy the whole thing together? It’s going into a RSR250.

 

[SPR1968]

I love it to be honest, it looks very nice, or am I supposed to say very negative!? Lol

 

[Kiwi reefer]

This looks great! lots of swimmming and hiding room for fish

and still allowing water flow

Nice work!

 

[J1a]

Building my fist reef aquascape. I going for something like the BRS HNSA. I clearly still have a bunch to do… anyone have any suggestions before I epoxy the whole thing together? It’s going into a RSR250.

May I suggest raising the highest tier higher still?

Reason being when coral starts to grow taller on the lower tier in front, the layers may become too overlapped. The caves may be crowded out as well.

Try visualize the scape with, say, 3 inches of coral on it.

 

[Utubereefer]

Here’s my nsa

 

[ffmurray]

Here’s a little update. I’m thinking I’m done with the main shape, but I need some more epoxy to strengthen it all up a bit.

 

[kiran]

Here’s a little update. I’m thinking I’m done with the main shape, but I need some more epoxy to strengthen it all up a bit.

I'm doing a HNSA too. Yours is beautiful.

I ordered like 40 sticks of epoxy just to be safe lol. I don't want to have to order more and wait if I run out. Guess I'll have extra if I ever need it

 

[ffmurray]

I ended up just adding some thick superglue to the remaining parts needing a little support. They aren’t really bearing any weight so…

 

[ffmurray]

I'm doing a HNSA too. Yours is beautiful.

I ordered like 40 sticks of epoxy just to be safe lol. I don't want to have to order more and wait if I run out. Guess I'll have extra if I ever need it

Thanks! I think I used about 10 sticks. A few tips: build a mock up of your tank (I used leftover wood, hot glue and cardboard), have plenty of heavy duty nitrile gloves, have a seat where you can sit and look at what your doing and think of how it’s coming together.

 

[kiran]

Thanks! I think I used about 10 sticks. A few tips: build a mock up of your tank (I used leftover wood, hot glue and cardboard), have plenty of heavy duty nitrile gloves, have a seat where you can sit and look at what your doing and think of how it’s coming together.

Thanks for the tips! I was actually thinking about building a tank frame for a point of reference while working on it.

The BRS video about aquascaping suggested using PVC pipes and some 3-way elbow joints to build a quick mockup. Might end up doing that since it'll be easier to take apart and I can rebuild it if I need it again.

I was wondering if you could post more pics of yours from different angles? Need some inspiration lol.

 

[ffmurray]

May I suggest raising the highest tier higher still?

Reason being when coral starts to grow taller on the lower tier in front, the layers may become too overlapped. The caves may be crowded out as well.

Try visualize the scape with, say, 3 inches of coral on it.

I’m thinking I’ll have shorter Zoas and LPS down low. I’m thinking bye having various heights it adds interest/ reality and I’ll be able to place things optimally. I also want to leave plenty of room above for growth and just to not be crowded… but it’s my first go so ‍

 

[ffmurray]

Thanks for the tips! I was actually thinking about building a tank frame for a point of reference while working on it.

The BRS video about aquascaping suggested using PVC pipes and some 3-way elbow joints to build a quick mockup. Might end up doing that since it'll be easier to take apart and I can rebuild it if I need it again.

I was wondering if you could post more pics of yours from different angles? Need some inspiration lol.

I didn’t want to buy the 3ways and 1/2” (plus kinda hard to find) and then have nothing to do with it. The hot glue is super easy to break down and it’s kinda nice to have it stuck in place and not sliding around.

 

[ffmurray]

Here’s a few more pics. Accurately depicting the three dimensional view is tough when everything is white.

 

[kiran]

Here’s a few more pics. Accurately depicting the three dimensional view is tough when everything is white.

No those were helpful.

Thanks!

 

[J1a]

I’m thinking I’ll have shorter Zoas and LPS down low. I’m thinking bye having various heights it adds interest/ reality and I’ll be able to place things optimally. I also want to leave plenty of room above for growth and just to not be crowded… but it’s my first go so ‍

If it's going to be zoas and encrusting corals, then it's great.

 

[QCPD16]

Yours looks great to me. I just finished the same process last week after dragging the project on for 3 weeks or so. I used super glue to hold everything in place until I could bond it together with epoxy. After the epoxy set I used E-Marco mortar to cover any visible glue and epoxy. I still have a few places left to cover but I ran out of mortar and had to order more. Just waiting on the the tank to arrive now…

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

Building my fist reef aquascape. I going for something like the BRS HNSA. I clearly still have a bunch to do… anyone have any suggestions before I epoxy the whole thing together? It’s going into a RSR250.

LOVE this.

 

[ffmurray]

I’m done. Partially burned out, impatient, & satisfied. I think covering the joints with the thick BRS glue and crushed rock was the most efficient.

 

[Weasel1960]

Nice job. Looks good. I would suggest walking away for a week than come back and look at it for any additions or small adjustments. Got enough hiding places for your stocking list? And 3” clear for cleaning, gotta think of coral growth in that clearance.

 

[ffmurray]

It’s wet! Ignore the reflection