Lower my self-esteem!

[ReefEsq]

When I started out, I basically threw some rock in my tank and called it a day. Only issue is there is no where to place corals.

So I got some Stax rocks and I've been playing with it for a couple of days now. See it below. Critique it. Be harsh and make suggestions. I really want to make this aesthetically pleasing but functional. I'll be cementing it together in 3-4 different sections, making it modular in case I need to take it down or move it, etc.

The cardboard is cut to the dimensions of my DT, so I'll be moving everything in a little bit so I have safe to clean the glass, but it wouldn't stay together that way with gravity alone. once I cement I'll do that, so no worries.

 

[KittenChiu]

Is there a functional reason why it's so flat on top and on the stacked rocks? I get that to stack them, flat fits better, but if you'll be cementing, maybe you can round off some edges. There's one corner that looks especially sharp and square.

 

[ReefEsq]

Is there a functional reason why it's so flat on top and on the stacked rocks? I get that to stack them, flat fits better, but if you'll be cementing, maybe you can round off some edges. There's one corner that looks especially sharp and square.

No particular reason. I’ve been too busy this week to bust out the hammer/chisel/Dremel, but I plan on dulling some of the sharper edges. Flat on top because I haven’t decided if I’d like to get another box and keep building upwards

 

[norfolkgarden]

I like the fullness of it but you will run into the problem that I have.

It doesn't look like you will be able to clean the left hand side glass at all half way down and the right hand side glass will still be pretty annoying.

Guessing your tank is a "cube"?
What are the dimensions?

Also, the fish like caves but the small ones like ridiculous tiny little sliver caves they can wedge into at night.

Did you already have a rough fish stocking list in mind?

Looks great so far.

 

[ReefEsq]

I like the fullness of it but you will run into the problem that I have.

It doesn't look like you will be able to clean the left hand side glass at all half way down and the right hand side glass will still be pretty annoying.

Guessing your tank is a "cube"?
What are the dimensions?

Also, the fish like caves but the small ones like ridiculous tiny little sliver caves they can wedge into at night.

Did you already have a rough fish stocking list in mind?

Looks great so far.

Thanks! It’s a waterbox 20g cube, so dimensions end up being roughly 14x17 footprint in the display portion. I didn’t think of the small cave thing and that’s a really good point! See below for tank as it is now. Don’t plan on adding any more fish, maybe a jawfish or goby down the line. I’ll definitely factor in the space for my flipper cleaner. Learned that lesson the hard way when I put together the rock work in my 125

 

[jabberwock]

Use a masonry bit and drill some vertical holes that frag plugs will fit in.

 

[maevepotter]

I like the basic structure, looks elegant, but I agree you need more caves and hiding places.

 

[ReefEsq]

I like the basic structure, looks elegant, but I agree you need more caves and hiding places.

Thanks! And noted. I’m going to pick up a 5 pound box and try to cut the bigger pieces into smaller ones to make structures they can hide in.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Thanks! It’s a waterbox 20g cube, so dimensions end up being roughly 14x17 footprint in the display portion. I didn’t think of the small cave thing and that’s a really good point! See below for tank as it is now. Don’t plan on adding any more fish, maybe a jawfish or goby down the line. I’ll definitely factor in the space for my flipper cleaner. Learned that lesson the hard way when I put together the rock work in my 125

Lol, other than being bored, why are you changing it up?

Your tank looks beautiful just like it is.

 

[ReefEsq]

Lol, other than being bored, why are you changing it up?

Your tank looks beautiful just like it is.

Thank you for the kind words. This is my first reef tank I’ve trusted myself with keeping higher end corals and stuff in, so I really appreciate the compliment.

Reason for changing it is two fold. I wanted some flat space for different coral. And second, the current structure doesn’t lend itself well to placing soft corals and LPS in a way that they’ll grow nicely, get enough light, and enough flow. Every spot I’ve seen has 1 or 2 of the 3, but never all three. So it’s taking up a lot of room just to grow algae essentially haha

 

[Westernks reefer]

I like the structure you have already lol I like having a lot of open sand for coral

 

[MrObscura]

You're a worthless point of sale.

Oh, that's not what you meant.

 

[Sippiku]

@MrObscura I thought the same thing.
I just thought this was going to be a fetish thread

In all seriousness @ReefEsq , it looks good but I’m a fan of more rock and less sand bed.
Either way, all that matters is that your happy with it.

 

[ScottR]

I don’t see anything wrong with a flat top. If you have the right corals, they make that flatness disappear. If you have room for SPS for example, they may add a great dimension when grown out. But it all depends on how you put the end game part of it together.