Looking for opinions on my aquascape!

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

Hey everyone, I'm setting up my first reef tank in a biocube 32 and am still working on the aquascape! I have changed it a couple times but here is what I have right now.

What does everyone think of this? What should I change? Will there be any issues with dead spots and such? Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thank you.

bday1335 · Mar 31, 2021

You are going to want to move it further from the glass, can't clean it properly with rocks that close. Just my 2cents!

Azedenkae · Mar 31, 2021

VanJuarez said:
Hey everyone, I'm setting up my first reef tank in a biocube 32 and am still working on the aquascape! I have changed it a couple times but here is what I have right now.

What does everyone think of this? What should I change? Will there be any issues with dead spots and such? Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thank you.

Hm. My honest opinion is your original scape here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-getting-into-reefing.817716/post-8773939 looks wayyy better.

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

Azedenkae said:
Hm. My honest opinion is your original scape here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-getting-into-reefing.817716/post-8773939 looks wayyy better.

Yeah, I might go back to that one. Not really sure yet, kinda playing around with some different ideas and seeing what looks the best. Problem I had with that one was that in the back corners a bunch of detritus was accumulating. Still need to pick up my wavemaker so not sure if it would be able to get into those back corners or not

Jekyl · Mar 31, 2021

2" from the glass for cleaning purposes and go taller

Azedenkae · Mar 31, 2021

VanJuarez said:
Yeah, I might go back to that one. Not really sure yet, kinda playing around with some different ideas and seeing what looks the best. Problem I had with that one was that in the back corners a bunch of detritus was accumulating. Still need to pick up my wavemaker so not sure if it would be able to get into those back corners or not

Fair enough, I often forget to consider this because I run a high nutrient tank and there is always algae growing at the back of my tank anyways (which is generally not very visible). XD

But yeah nah, maybe a wavemaker would make your original scape more viable. Perhaps if you shift your rocks slightly forwards it might help with flow to the back?

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

Azedenkae said:
Fair enough, I often forget to consider this because I run a high nutrient tank and there is always algae growing at the back of my tank anyways (which is generally not very visible). XD

But yeah nah, maybe a wavemaker would make your original scape more viable. Perhaps if you shift your rocks slightly forwards it might help with flow to the back?

Yeah I think I'm gonna try that, and moving the rocks away from the glass some as others have said. Will post pics when I'm done!

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

All right, here is what I came up with.

So this scape is more like the original one but I tried to keep it more away from the sides and build it a little taller. Thoughts? Not really sure how much I like this one if I'm being honest.

Brittanyjo · Mar 31, 2021

Beautiful pink coralline algae where did you get it?

Have you seen some of the negative space aquascaping? I like your stacking, but if you made smaller rocks and glued them your fish would have more swimming space.

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

Brittanyjo said:
Beautiful pink coralline algae where did you get it?

Have you seen some of the negative space aquascaping? I like your stacking, but if you made smaller rocks and glued them your fish would have more swimming space.

I got all the rocks from a LFS, the red/pink ones are CaribSea Life Rock, you can actually get them online! No I have not seen the negative space aquascapes, I'm going to look some up now. Thanks

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Mar 31, 2021

Id set the brown slanted rock on the sand in front. Turn the big purple pink rock maybe 10 or 20degrees where its at in place. Hths
D

Brittanyjo · Mar 31, 2021

Brittanyjo · Mar 31, 2021

CMMorgan · Mar 31, 2021

I liked option 2 way more than option 3.... it's great that you backed off of the glass but it leaves no caves, bridges or little hidey spaces. I like to think of the aquascape like the opening of Hee-Haw.... lots of little doors and windows for residents to pop in and out to say Hi.

SauceyReef · Mar 31, 2021

Make two towers or a bridge! A beautiful and simple look in many reefs. Put the flat rocks on the bottom for base and ledges for corals and the nice acro looking rocks on top

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Mar 31, 2021

Yes i like the original scape in this thread but remove the bridge rock piece connecting the two scapes. Leave space for cleaning and a mag float as said.
D

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

Thanks everyone for the comments. Just finished watching the negative space aquascape video, so I might try doing that or go back to option 2 as others have said. Gonna play around with it some more and see what I come up with

SauceyReef · Mar 31, 2021

Remember there is no rush. Take a day to think about how you like it and keep trying new scapes until you are really happy. It beats having second thoughts down the line when they are filled in.

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Mar 31, 2021

I always recommend taping the outline of the tank on the floor or garage floor. Painters plastic... ect. That way your not trying to move ur hands around in that confined space. Zip ties are good too in some places if needed.
D

VanJuarez · Mar 31, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
I always recommend taping the outline of the tank on the floor or garage floor. Painters plastic... ect. That way your not trying to move ur hands around in that confined space. Zip ties are good too in some places if needed.
D

Do you think the bacteria on the rocks would be okay? I don't want to mess up the cycle by taking them out of the water for too long, ya know?