My aquascaping. Need suggestions.

[James Barton]

Hi everyone first I want to ask, how can I take better quality pictures from my phone? I've taken multiple pictures of my tank and none of the pictures do it justice.

Secondly, this is my first tank and its 185g. The rock has all been cycling for a few months in a water trough I had in my garage. How is my aquascaping? Do I need to remove some rock? Add more rock? Is the rock too high? I know the pictures aren't very good, and the lights aren't in their final positions yet. Thanks in advance.

FTS

Close up

Left side

Left angle

Right side

Right angle

 

[Florida_Angel]

Hi, rock looks good for coral growth...any reason for the gap in the light's? May want to spread them out a little to eliminate the shadow area? If you're looking to have fish, could restack to build a tunnel...

Ok, those are my 2 cents!

 

[James Barton]

Hi, rock looks good for coral growth...any reason for the gap in the light's? May want to spread them out a little to eliminate the shadow area? If you're looking to have fish, could restack to build a tunnel...

Ok, those are my 2 cents!

Thanks, I forgot to mention that my goal is a mixed reef tank. The lights are only like that because I was moving rocks around. A tunnel sounds nice, do you have a picture for reference?

 

[Tomocean]

If it was me, I'd try to split it into two islands, or maybe two peaks with a ridge joining them. But that's just me, I don't care for the wall of reef look.

Here's a pic of one of my favorites. I love the use of negative space.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f4/1a/7c/f41a7cf0799f6e0951dd193436896151.jpg

 

[Florida_Angel]

Thanks, I forgot to mention that my goal is a mixed reef tank. The lights are only like that because I was moving rocks around. A tunnel sounds nice, do you have a picture for reference?

I've only got a 20gal at the moment...I don't know if you can see it in this pic...

 

[shaggydoo]

I personally like the left side the best. There looks like a lot of flat spots for coral placement. One thing I would do is try to add some variation in height of your rockwork along the back. Also, I like to build deep caves with bigger rocks to allow fish places to hide. By making a few large caves it also makes the tank look deeper

Looks like a very nice start to a great tank.

 

[James Barton]

If it was me, I'd try to split it into two islands, or maybe two peaks with a ridge joining them. But that's just me, I don't care for the wall of reef look.

I like this idea and originally wanted to try something like this. However, I am trying to cover the center overflow since I don't like the look of coralline growing on the back. It can be cleaned from the glass but not that textured surface. I was also thinking I could make a separate smaller island to the right and leave a sloped ridge covering the center overflow going down to the left side. There's so many ideas!

 

[James Barton]

I've only got a 20gal at the moment...I don't know if you can see it in this pic...

I see it. Just a place for the fish to swim through.

 

[Florida_Angel]

I see it. Just a place for the fish to swim through.

Lol yea, pretty much. They like it...

 

[James Barton]

I personally like the left side the best. There looks like a lot of flat spots for coral placement. One thing I would do is try to add some variation in height of your rockwork along the back. Also, I like to build deep caves with bigger rocks to allow fish places to hide. By making a few large caves it also makes the tank look deeper

Looks like a very nice start to a great tank.

Yea I like the left side the best as well lol. It's also the side I started with and spent the most time on. I want a mixed reef so I wanted plenty of places for coral but I really like the idea of deep caves since this tank has some depth. And as for the variation of height, you think I should make the the corners have high points as well?

 

[trevormass7]

I like this idea and originally wanted to try something like this. However, I am trying to cover the center overflow since I don't like the look of coralline growing on the back. It can be cleaned from the glass but not that textured surface. I was also thinking I could make a separate smaller island to the right and leave a sloped ridge covering the center overflow going down to the left side. There's so many ideas!

You could always get a fast growing coral to grow over the overflow

 

[shaggydoo]

And as for the variation of height, you think I should make the the corners have high points as well?

That's what I did on my last 120g tank. I had two peaks, one on each side with large caves making the base of the peaks. But that won't hide your center overflow. Maybe keep the left side and let it peak in the center then a dramatic drop to the right to break up the wall look.

 

[James Barton]

That's what I did on my last 120g tank. I had two peaks, one on each side with large caves making the base of the peaks. But that won't hide your center overflow. Maybe keep the left side and let it peak in the center then a dramatic drop to the right to break up the wall look.

Yea I was trying to have my point at my center covering the overflow and taper off down the sides. I'll probably end up changing it completely now tomorrow. Lol after each time I change it my wife says it still just looks like a pile of rocks.

 

[shaggydoo]

It can be very hard to avoid the wall or pile look. I always start with the largest pieces and try to stack them with as much space as possible between each piece.

Your tank is nice and deep. So you can also arrange some of the slopes/peaks from front to back leaving space in the back and front in different places.

Good luck. Rearranging rock can take a lot of time.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I like the rocks. Several swim thrus would be nice for fish. AFter I rescaped my tank, I ended up going more of a wall with lots of swim throughs and lots of sand in front for corals. Can't wait to put fish back into tank in 2 weeks! Fallow is the pits..... You can't see all the swim thrus but there are at least 7 of different sizes which also leaves lots of hiding room

 

[James Barton]

How does this look?? I like it better than the previous so far.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I do like the direction you're going with the new formation, but your wife is right - it does mostly just look like a pile of rocks. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that btw. If you like it then who cares? The goal is also to have it covered in corals, right? You may want to try taping the glass into 9 sections and trying to create more focal points.

This is one of the most useful reefing videos I, personally, have ever watched:

 

[shaggydoo]

I like the new direction immensely. Huge improvement imo

 

[James Barton]

Finger tips are raw.. Lol this is my third rendering. I may keep it this way.
We will see.

 

[Solracju]

I've learned the hard way. When Working with rock, especially in an aquascaping I wear rubber gloves... you drip a little water but your finger tips will thank you. And if they tear just put on a new pair doubling up helps! Also I would suggest that you try to use so mortar I think Marco rock sells it. Will help you add more open feel(if that's what you want)