Inspiration for non-naturalistic aquascapes?

[burningmime]

Can anyone link some examples of non-naturalistic reef builds? There are some crazy freshwater ones, but aside from that neat Star Wars one, the reef tanks I've seen are very utilitarian (eg frag tanks). What materials work? What looks cool with coral growing over it? Thanks!

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Can you most an example of what you mean? I believe @Paul B has some very nice broken bottles in his tank. Seems like a fun project!

 

[burningmime]

Here's a big skull throne I found in the sticky thread; not exactly what I'm going for, but certainly an interesting take:

Here's a star wars themed nano that was featured on BRS (go to 23:50). I'm not a huge fan of Star Wars, but it's certainly different:


Mostly just looking for inspiration. I'm also scared of what materials would be reef safe (not leech out and not instantly degrade).

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think this is usually not done bc coral grows over stuff in a reef tank, but man it would definitely be cool to see someone do some creative things. Maybe even a shipwreck reef?

 

[southerntnreefer]

id love to see a Star wars, or ship wreck big butt fowlr system with eels and puffers.

 

[burningmime]

When I set up my tank I didn’t know what I was doing. I planned for it to be a Fowlr predator rank, but of course as I learned and experienced, plans changed. Now I’m taking out the shipwreck, changing my lights, re-doing my rock work and going with corals.

I will say, the fish love the ship wreck. They swim in and out of the holes all day. I have a large black fin goby that took up residence in the boat and just sits staring out of his hole waiting to eat.

I found this shipwreck FOWLR (and yes there's an eel!)

Corals do grow over stuff, but that's part of the fun, innit? Of course, first would be an even coating of pink/puple coraline, which might be less asthetically pleasing (not that I don't love some coaraline, but there's so much of it!)

 

[southerntnreefer]

I found this shipwreck FOWLR (and yes there's an eel!)

Corals do grow over stuff, but that's part of the fun, innit? Of course, first would be an even coating of pink/puple coraline, which might be less asthetically pleasing (not that I don't love some coaraline, but there's so much of it!)

Thats kinda cool!

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Tigahboys Tiki reef

 

[burningmime]

That's awesome, Tigahboys!

Scoured the sticky threads and found two more:

240g rock wall still in progress

This my 180 gallon aquascape

 

[mcshams]

These are neat.

 

[zirky]

I also started out fish only and was planning an eel. The ship was a plastic model assembled with super glue. Wanted a model of the orca from jaws but couldn’t find it

 

[burningmime]

Bump -- anyone tried doing a "sunken terrestrial landscape"?

 

[baywindow]

Art Aquarium yearly exhibition in Tokyo

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I would love to see a tank with a greek/roman architecture theme and maybe some miniature statues.

I have some sea glass and broken bottles in my tanks that my mom collects.

 

[Weasel1960]

I was considering at one time doing an Atlantis thing and cutting dry rock into pillars to make it look abandoned and for coral to grow on. Also thought about a pirate ship wreck. Pet Smart has these that I have considered. All are safe they are aquarium decor.

 

[zirky]

I think with the recent vidios from brs and tidal gardens we’re gonna see some of the more creative members of our little group busting up rocks and creating some real deliberate works of art. I really hope you go for it. and look forward to Atlantis.

 

[AZMSGT]

This is what I did. I wanted to give coral as much surface as possible to grow on. Not very natural.. but once it fills in with coral that skeleton will blossom.

Top view. Look at that surface area. Imagine it with acropora all over it.

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Im thinking of maybe doing a Star Wars Empire themed Fluval Evo 13.5.
Black Sand (LIVE)
Black Clownfish
AT-AT decoration
Some dry rock most likely
and then some cool corals.

*Huge Star Wars fan, so this would be a cool themed tank, my 20g is my natural looking reef*

 

[SPR1968]

Im thinking of maybe doing a Star Wars Empire themed Fluval Evo 13.5.
Black Sand (LIVE)
Black Clownfish
AT-AT decoration
Some dry rock most likely
and then some cool corals.

*Huge Star Wars fan, so this would be a cool themed tank, my 20g is my natural looking reef*

Well we will definitely need pictures of that. So make sure you do the build thread!

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Well we will definitely need pictures of that. So make sure you do the build thread!

"Dark Knight Empire Strikes Back Tank" "No, I am your Father Build Thread" " Come to the Dark Side, Build Thread" "You know, sometimes I even amaze myself" . I acc really like the "Come to the Dark Side" idea. Ill come up with a cool name if I follow through with this idea dont worry