Looking for Aquascape ideas

[MrDellimore]

Hello all!

I finally finished building my crazy tank and excited to move forward with an aquascape. Because it is a pretty unconventional build around a pole, I haven't seen many tanks I can base my aquascape off of.

I am hoping to get some feedback from the community on how everyone might approach aquascaping this.

Some additional tidbits about the tank are:

• it is 30 inches tall
• Peninsula Style so 3 viewing panes.

My design goals for the tank are:

• To look visually appealing
• Offer 3 unique views from each angle
• Make use of the tall height of the tank
• Find a way to hide/work the pole/glass column into the design
• Allow for good negative space

Thanks for any and all ideas anyone might have!!

Here are some shots of the tank:

 

[Iván Olalla]

I saw your build and found it interesting, if you can cover the glass with rubble and make terraces with flatsone resembling branches of a tree i think it would look awesome

 

[krbshappy71]

That pole tho'...... branches of a tree idea is what I had in mind as well. I saw this other thread and it has links to "bonsai" type decor, pretty cool! I think it would help with distracting from the pole. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/good-website-for-bonsai-aquascape.599214/
Super impressed at all the work you went through for this tank!

 

[MrDellimore]

Good ideas! How can I bond the rubble to the column securely? I feel like silicone might give way after sometime.

 

[S2G]

I like little cliff ledges all the way with rubble and ledge pieces. Maybe Tonga branches. Now what coral to put that won't shadow things below it?

 

[Halo_003]

Have you thought about maybe surrounding the top part of the pole with mangroves or air plants of some sort?

 

[Flippers4pups]

The pole could be done with rock pieces and put together with fiberglass rod and hydraulic cement. Quikrete hydraulic cement. Doesn't have to be "glued" to the walls, just up against it.

 

[Iván Olalla]

Good ideas! How can I bond the rubble to the column securely? I feel like silicone might give way after sometime.

sanding your glass column will provide a rough surface with better grip, also you can use acrylic studs to secure your rockwork to a base point in the ground

 

[MrDellimore]

Thanks! I like the idea of acrylic studs so that I can make supports off of and create tree branch effect

 

[Flippers4pups]

Acrylic rod may bend in time. Just saying. Fiberglass rod can be had at big box hardware stores as driveway makers for cheap. Just cut to the length you need. Drill the rock using a 1/4" masonry bit, slide the rock pieces through it to stack. Large pieces to the bottom and smaller pieces up.

 

[MrDellimore]

Awesome! I have my work cut out for me! I am going to give this a go this weekend

 

[Jfarooqpak]

Similar to the tree idea you can also use the Machu pichu pyramid motif with ledges climbing up on three side, ledges not very defined though with a single rock at the top. It will give you great spaces to show your coral, you can de ice to leave space (for fish to hide) or not between three sides and it will be something different.

 

[Bbfishb81]

I've worked with a few types of reef epoxy and cements available to the hobby, they
Worked great. I liked the aquaforest stone fix for its strength after setting, but nyos was easier to work with if you have wet rocks already. Fluval green epoxy or the aquaforest 2 part were the better epoxy I've had to use.

 

[MrDellimore]

I've worked with a few types of reef epoxy and cements available to the hobby, they
Worked great. I liked the aquaforest stone fix for its strength after setting, but nyos was easier to work with if you have wet rocks already. Fluval green epoxy or the aquaforest 2 part were the better epoxy I've had to use.

Is this the one? I have 100 pounds of rock arriving on Thursday and will order these tonight so that I can do the scape over the weekend.

AF Poly Glue Adhesive

New adhesive technology. AF Poly Glue is easy to use polymer-based glue that can be reused and only requires warm water to use, and won't leave you feeling rushed to finish. One Size Available: 600 mL AF Poly Glue will change how you frag corals and aquascape your tank. The small glue...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Is there anything else you would recommend ordering so that I can complete my scape?

 

[S2G]

Fiberglass rod driveway markers are way more sturdy than acrylic rod. That's what I would go with. I've used it forever. You'll need to grab some putty to cover up the gaps

 

[MrDellimore]

the aquaforest stone fix

This stuff worked wonders! Thanks so much!

 

[MrDellimore]

I played around with some rocks over the last few days and I came up with this for the front view. I was inspired by the idea of a "sleeping dragon" . I dont know how well this will translate when I start adding corals though

I used some shelf rock to laminate the pole with Silicone. I am waiting for some more to be delivered so I can hide the seams

Now I am trying to find some ideas for how I will aqua scape the rear part of the tank. I have another 80 pounds of rock coming to play with. After trying to make that tedious sleeping dragon design I think I might look for something a little less time consuming for the rear.

Any ideas on how to design the rear?

 

[Ashish Patel]

I like it

 

[MrDellimore]

Thanks brother. I felt a little conflicted about the whole sleeping dragon thing lol

 

[Bbfishb81]

I'm digging the sleep dragon. And glad the reef cement worked for you. I was very happy with the results after using it myself. As for the back, maybe a few shelf like structures in a few different directions and different heights. Or maybe a bridge from the pole across.