Minimalist Aquascaping

john.m.cole3 · Jun 30, 2016

billy hay rock

john.m.cole3 · Jun 30, 2016

a month ago

Joker79 · Aug 11, 2016

Everyone's thoughts on my minimalist aquascape...

gpwdr · Aug 11, 2016

Looking Good Joker79

Joker79 · Aug 11, 2016

gpwdr said:
Looking Good Joker79

Thank you!

revhtree · Aug 12, 2016

Very nice aquascape!

Joker79 · Aug 12, 2016

revhtree said:
Very nice aquascape!

Thanks Rev!

m0nkie · Aug 12, 2016

My last tank build. currently working on a 500gal. Hope this still counts as minimal..

drernesto · Aug 12, 2016

Nice scapes! This thread game me some ideas on my upgrade.

rgaston · Aug 12, 2016

Hi Gene,

About three months ago I changed my IM 60 to a minimalist aquascape. Attached are several pics of the new aquascape. Hope this is helpful.

Rick

salty150 · Aug 12, 2016

I am not sure if there was stated somewhere in the 12 pages of this thread...

But, as far as fish are concerned, the live rock you put in your tank is for hiding places to make the fish feel "safe" - in addition for a place for the bacteria to colonize, etc...

Also, different fish in the wild like different places to hide - some like caves, some like overhangs, etc...

Depending on what fish you want, a "minimalist" aquascape is not always to best idea for fish.

m0nkie · Aug 12, 2016

salty150 said:
I am not sure if there was stated somewhere in the 12 pages of this thread...

But, as far as fish are concerned, the live rock you put in your tank is for hiding places to make the fish feel "safe" - in addition for a place for the bacteria to colonize, etc...

Also, different fish in the wild like different places to hide - some like caves, some like overhangs, etc...

Depending on what fish you want, a "minimalist" aquascape is not always to best idea for fish.

this is very true. minimalist definitely cuts your # of fish.. you can have tons of bio ceramics in the sump for bacteria to colonize, this will eliminate nitrate. but your fish will be fighting for the few sleeping spaces.

Neptune1707 · Oct 10, 2016

Being a graphic designer and a degree in fine art I def have specific ideas about my tank. I def like the mininmal look. Just because u can care for and cram tons of beautiful coral into a tank doesn't mean that's that's necessarily the most ashtetic pleasing...but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As I have been snorkeling more in the carribbean nothing is more beautiful to me than swimming along a beautiful clean sand bed and then boom a big mound of rock with all kinds of livestock swimming around. Being able to view the fish and coral against the beautiful clean sand and the edge of a reef formation is very pleasing to me. But everyone should do what appeals to them. I would never keep a dimly lit octopus tank...doesn't appeal to me. As long as we are caring for the creatures we purchase to the best of or ability that's what makes this hobby so great!

bing_ph · Oct 10, 2016

am not sure if this can be considered a minimalist design but this is how i made this built

NanaReefer · Oct 10, 2016

Leslie Tabor · Oct 11, 2016

salty150 said:
I am not sure if there was stated somewhere in the 12 pages of this thread...

But, as far as fish are concerned, the live rock you put in your tank is for hiding places to make the fish feel "safe" - in addition for a place for the bacteria to colonize, etc...

Also, different fish in the wild like different places to hide - some like caves, some like overhangs, etc...

Depending on what fish you want, a "minimalist" aquascape is not always to best idea for fish.

I was thinking this exactly as I was looking at these! I love how clean these tanks look but then I think about my mandarins!

Rpujol85 · Oct 11, 2016

Here's the latest FTS's

gpwdr · Oct 11, 2016

Neptune1707 said:
Being a graphic designer and a degree in fine art I def have specific ideas about my tank. I def like the mininmal look. Just because u can care for and cram tons of beautiful coral into a tank doesn't mean that's that's necessarily the most ashtetic pleasing...but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As I have been snorkeling more in the carribbean nothing is more beautiful to me than swimming along a beautiful clean sand bed and then boom a big mound of rock with all kinds of livestock swimming around. Being able to view the fish and coral against the beautiful clean sand and the edge of a reef formation is very pleasing to me. But everyone should do what appeals to them. I would never keep a dimly lit octopus tank...doesn't appeal to me. As long as we are caring for the creatures we purchase to the best of or ability that's what makes this hobby so great!

I agree with you 100%.
In the end the aquascape is actually the corals. Many aquarist load the tank up with millions of different kinds of corals and although each coral is beautiful all together the tank is not that appealing.
This is birds nest on one rock after 2 years.

So it's all about planning for the future look with consideration for coral over growth.

I failed at the minimalist aquascape, my tank just looks to busy.

There is only four rocks in this tank to start.