Need help with your aquascape?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ardeus
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Your tank looks much better in person than on this photo.

Clear everything out of the way of the entrances to caves, it will increase the perception of depth in the tank.

If you can remove any rocks from the top, it will make the layout look lighter.
 
If you need an outside perspective to help with improving your aquascape, just post here a few shots of your tank, and will try my best shot at providing specific advise according to your goals for the tank.

Sometimes I can just answer here, show the alterations using photoshop or make a video.

Just post here front shots with your cellphone/camera positioned at 3 different heights (sand level, centre and water level) and also a couple of angled photos, so that I can have a better understanding of your tank's layout.

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This is a subject that is surprisingly not researched by most reefers and I have given some thought and some time ago I did a similar exercise in another forum.

It's also a great way for everyone to learn from each other and see a few freshwater techniques that we can apply and also many others that are specific for reef tanks.

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I was hoping to get some advice on the rock placement here. This tank was set up rather hastily, so there are inhabitants already setting up shop, but it is limited to fish and a few inverts only at this point. The goal we’re trying to achieve here is a mixed reef tank, and I’m having reservations about the aquascaping setup; that it isn’t ideal for proper coral growth. Any advice on this would be massively appreciated
 
I like the fact that you have some space between the rock and the side glasses. If you can increase it a little more, the better, your tank will not look as full.

Your rocks are too close to the surface in my opinion. When you place corals on them, they will reach the surface easily.

I am not a fan of arches so I always find it difficult to come up with improvements that don't include getting rid of them :)

If you want a single rock structure, I suggest coming up with a layout with a more interesting profile.

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But taking into account that your tank is long, the layout will be more interesting with 2 rock structures: one bigger and taller than the other, just don't put the canyon between thw 2 structures right in the middle.

I am not a fan of arches, but I am a big fan of bays. Whenever you get close to the glass (front or side), stay as low as you can.
 
Thanks for the input. One of my concerns was the height of the rock being too close to the surface and then the light. Ok so arches should be axed, understood. And offcentering the canyon or gap between the two new structures would be more appealing to the eye, got it. The tank is very long, so it does pose its unique challenges, lighting being one of the biggest I’ve come across so far. Well thank u for the insight it’s helps a lot
 
I never see this in small tanks, but a simple layout can be achieved by choosing a single very interesting rock.

Hows this? something I'm working on for some struggling zoas.

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That isolated rock looks very good by itself. I don't think that plate on top will ever look good no matter what corals you put on and around it.

I really like that rock on top of the bridge. It breaks the horizontal line and creates an interesting profile.

You have two 90 degrees angles in the bridge. I would begin thinking about what corals you can use to hide those angles.

Although the pillar now looks strange, corals will dramatically improve the look of that area, I wouldn't change it.
Thank you very much for taking the time to look at my aquascape!!! I appreciate the advice! I'll get rid of the plate and start thinking about corals to hide those 90's on the bridge. And also think about what corals to dress the pillar out with. I think it's awesome what you've done to help people out!!
I'm sure your exhausted. This has been a great thread though!!!! Thanks again!
 
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This tank is just cycling, so anything can be redone. It’s very long, low, and small so I’m just not sure what to do with it. Not sure what I was thinking exactly. Any advice would be appreciated. Purple rocks are just for cycling.
 
Need help with aquascape 200 gallon both me and the wife suck at it , bought a few pieces of rock today and wife hates the way it looks any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Hows this? something I'm working on for some struggling zoas.

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If it's going to be only zoas, you need a bit more height. If not, taller corals on top will complete the tank very well.
 
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It's a bit too symmetric. I would reduce the right structure and move the whole layput a bit to the right.

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I wouldn't dare to mess up your rock structure and it looks good. It has 2 very different diagonal canyons, I wouldn't change them, their positions and orientations look excellent. It's like the path of light on the left and the path of darkness on the right. Interesting!

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That being said, the easiest way that you can make changes to your tank is mostly by moving corals.

On the left canyon, having corals on each side with at least similar shape or color will create "harmony bridges".

I have discussed this technique here:


I believe your tank has great potencial to benefit from the use of this contrast/similarity technique.

 
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I wouldn't dare to mess up your rock structure and it looks good. It has 2 very different diagonal canyons, I wouldn't change them, their positions and orientations look excellent. It's like the path of light on the left and the path of darkness on the right. Interesting!

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That being said, the easiest way that you can make changes to your tank is mostly by moving corals.

On the left canyon, having corals on each side with at least similar shape or color will create "harmony bridges".

I have discussed this technique here:


I believe your tank has great potencial to benefit from the use of this contrast/similarity technique.


Thanks for your in put , move a couple corals and it does already look better
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It does.

I think a coral in the back of the left side of that canyon will create a more balanced scape. Maybe a frag of that green seriatopora, so that it's growing on both sides of the canyon?

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You have a crazy arch there that somehow seems to work.

Keeping that layout, I think you just need to clean up your act :)

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That arch is so big that it will look very cool with corals growing into it from all sides.

You're still left with a few awkward straight lines.

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Those are easy to fix with coral placement to make those straight lines change.

Cleaned up my mess with all the stray rocks and ttied to fix the things you pointed out....

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Your tank looks much better in person than on this photo.

Clear everything out of the way of the entrances to caves, it will increase the perception of depth in the tank.

If you can remove any rocks from the top, it will make the layout look lighter.

Thank you for the advice. I’ll try that
 
Cleaned up my mess with all the stray rocks and ttied to fix the things you pointed out....

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Your tank now looks a bit like a skeleton, but as soon as the corals grow it will look balanced. Now it looks a bit empty, but the corals will change that and soften some hard angles and horizontal lines.
 
Lol i give up, just gonna sit back and watch it grow and not worry too much about my skeleton lol....thanks for the help and input man
 
Curious on what you think of mine. I have my beast in the rock work so giving him plenty of hiding holes is the basis on why i did what i did.

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The main issue for me is the symmetry. Not only the tank is split right at the middle, but both sides look like a mirror of the other.

If you have a single canyon in the tank, positioning it slightly off centre will look much better 99% of the times for 99% of the people :)

The guys from the freshwater aquascapes already have those golden numbers and rules of thirds as a second nature. They do not always follow these rules, but when they don't, they have good reasons not to do it.

It's a good thing to try to research about things like golden ratio, rule of thirds, Iwagumi, color wheel and color schemes. They all can help anyone to achieve layouts that they like.

If you don't want to mess with the rock structure, you can from this point on try to break the symmetry with corals. Any small change you can make to make each side different will be an improvement.
 

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