Height of aquascape?

[Bars]

In my opinion, most scapes are too low. Sure, you can't properly grow sps colonies at the very top in your first scape, but that's a perfect spot for some nice zoas. Some drastic height differences creates a dynamic scape that's pleasant to look at. Low scapes or scapes without a lot of height differences can look boring very quickly. Once corals start getting bigger you won't see subtle height differences at all.

That said: both scapes look good. For the first one I'd add another rock on the lower portion of the scape. Doesn't really matter where. For the second one I'd add another rock on either of the shelves. Doesn't have to be a large rock, just something to make it a bit more dynamic and interesting to look at.

 

[_sludgefactory]

I have a similar tank and mine goes almost all the way to the surface. That's most of a Caribsea Coral Tree on the right.

 

[Fishko]

that's looks sick, just make sure the u will be able to clean the front glass with the magnet. I remember a old brs video where the aquascape in the nano tank was really close to the glass because they used a very branchy rock and had trouble cleaning the glass

 

[Ef4life]

Top down views of corals are the best views so I prefer a low scape to max 1/2 of the water height, but it needs to have a good amount of front to back depth to really work well.

but then having a tall scape can work well too. It’s all really about what you envision for your coral garden

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Worst mistakes I have ever made in the past was making my scape too high. You also run into issues burning the top trying to take advantage of space below. Now I stay at slightly higher than half height; you will also be amazed at how corals up top shadow and disrupt flow.

Unless you plan on having all SPS up top then stay away from stacking too high.

I no longer spend tons of time on my scape because it's eventually going to be an afterthought once corals grow, design to take advantage of all space; avoid creating steep mountains.

Your second attempt looks perfect!

 

[_sludgefactory]

that's looks sick, just make sure the u will be able to clean the front glass with the magnet. I remember a old brs video where the aquascape in the nano tank was really close to the glass because they used a very branchy rock and had trouble cleaning the glass

It is spaced out for my mag cleaner to fit all the way around. I ran into that in the tank I upgraded this one from.