Input on my planned aquascape

[RickLRMS]

The photos below are of my planned aquascape for my RSR 525. Nothing is yet glued. The rock in the back-right corner is there to hold another rock in place and will be removed after gluing is complete. The highest point is about 5” below the waterline. I plan for about 1.5” to 2” of sand. The rock that is front-right is for a zoa garden and I plan to eventually put two torches on the front-left rock. I’m thinking of putting pulsing Xenia on the central platform to get something with motion that will proliferate fairly quickly, though it isn’t set in stone as I understand they can become a nuisance. Any suggestions, cautious, warnings, or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Left side seems clumpy. I like the center and the right side too. Right reminds me of Pride rock from Lion King actually.

 

[RickLRMS]

Left side seems clumpy.

Any suggestions?

I like the center and the right side too. Right reminds me of Pride rock from Lion King actually.

Cool!

 

[southerntnreefer]

Any suggestions?



Cool!

The W large rocks all the way to the left seem to be too big for the rest of em.

 

[RickLRMS]

The W large rocks all the way to the left seem to be too big for the rest of em.

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll think on that one.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Some variation in height would add more interest.

 

[RickLRMS]

Some variation in height would add more interest.

Thanks for the input. I tried a couple of ways to increase height of each end but didn’t like the result. I didn’t want to lower either side. I’ll need to think on it, maybe try again.

 

[Weasel1960]

Overall looking good. Consider this...take out rock on far left in picture and replace 2nd rock on far left with smaller pieces that make a larger more open arch. This could be done by breaking up rock pieces.

it also looks like, from your pictures, that you are getting close to your boundary lines, make sure to leave 2 to 3 inches or so for cleaning sand and glass.

Nice work keep us posted, don’t forget to start a build thread.

 

[RickLRMS]

Consider this...take out rock on far left in picture and replace 2nd rock on far left with smaller pieces that make a larger more open arch.

Thanks for the feedback. If these two rocks (photo below) are the arch you mean they are not connected. I think I did leave at least 2” between glass and rock but I’ll double-check.

Nice work keep us posted, don’t forget to start a build thread.

I do have a build thread though I’m moving slowly through the build. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[Weasel1960]

I am not very good with doing visual edits but try this...
Take the rock your arrow is pointing to turn it 180 degrees (east/west), stick the little flange piece of this rock into the pocket of your vertical rock on the left side. And connect to center island some how with another smallish rock. Leave small ball sized rock as a stand-alone island, pull forward a bit.

 

[ScottB]

I'll give one generic suggestion that I got wrong in my last build. This particularly matters if you are going to mount SPS on the top part of the rock.

Don't build the reef too tall. A very accomplished reef builder once told me he never builds taller than 1/2 the water height. It kinda looks funny in the beginning, but once stuff starts growing out ot works out much better.

 

[RickLRMS]

Take the rock your arrow is pointing to turn it 180 degrees (east/west), stick the little flange piece of this rock into the pocket of your vertical rock on the left side. And connect to center island some how with another smallish rock. Leave small ball sized rock as a stand-alone island, pull forward a bit.

I *think* I see what you mean. I’ll spend a bit of time thinking on it, maybe try a couple of alternatives. Thanks for the additional feedback.

 

[HB AL]

Looks fine, nice amount of rocks if it was me I would add more. People often overlook how important rocks are to a successful tank.

 

[Nathan Milender]

It looks cool but I would back off from the edges a bit. I have made that mistake and once corals and things get growing it is hard to get flow between the glass and those outside rocks. This makes little debris traps that just rot. Also, you will get dark areas under there where nothing will grow or want to be.

 

[RickLRMS]

Looks fine, nice amount of rocks if it was me I would add more. People often overlook how important rocks are to a successful tank.

*Laugh* I was worried I had too much rock already.

 

[RickLRMS]

It looks cool but I would back off from the edges a bit. I have made that mistake and once corals and things get growing it is hard to get flow between the glass and those outside rocks. This makes little debris traps that just rot. Also, you will get dark areas under there where nothing will grow or want to be.

Thanks for the input. I’ll take another look at those places where it gets within 2”-3” of the glass. There are four separate structures with varying gaps between, perhaps I can shrink the gaps a bit.

 

[HB AL]

*Laugh* I was worried I had too much rock already.

The more the merrier,aside from its ecological benefits to the tank it creates alot of tunnels and sleeping quarters for fish to rest and thats good for them, if i had a basement i would have a sump tank full of rock.
Here's a pic of alot of rock well atleast whats visible under the corals.