Need help with your aquascape?

[AbjectMaelstroM]

I too am a big fan of acrylic pylons for the base rock. All mine sit on tripods. It is tedious work, but the stability and ease of sand blasting make it worth it for me.

I was originally planning on hacking of the bottoms of the base rocks with a hacksaw to make a flat surface to mate with the bottom of the tank. However, I think I'll now be going with the pvc pipe standoffs.

 

[Adam_M]

First attempt at building an aquascape. It's a 60x24x24 tank. Top of arch is at approximately 19".

Thoughts on the arrangement? Also, thoughts on using superglue + epoxy to secure, or do I need something else as well? Only pieces that are at all tippy are the top 3 on the arch.

 

[ScottB]

Nice. A couple thoughts since you asked.

Likes:
3 island set up of varying heights and front/back depth
The right island has good depth of field front to back. Small in front with rocks getting bigger going to the back

Worries:
Overall height. At least one professional aquascaper (at MACNA this year) said you should not have rock going taller than 1/2 the display height. While I know I built mine too high, I was shocked when he told me that. But I have seen his stuff and it looks fabulous. I am sure he has pictures on this thread.

Are you leaving enough room around three sides of the tank to clean the glass? Be sure. You (may) need to account for coral growth (which I also failed to do).

As to cementing. There are trade-offs. You need to be sure that if/when you have to, you can move or remove all but the base rock. Keep that in mind. You do want to be sure that top rock does not fall. Even in water, it looks big enough to damage your glass. I'd call it low probability but would still be a catastrophic tail risk.

There are alternatives regarding the cement; I like Marco cement. You cannot break it lose without a sledge hammer. But it is expensive. Most folks say hydraulic cement is fine and you can look back in the thread for discussion on that.

 

[Chewbacca]

Ok I did my rock work without to much overload to the system ha ha. Believe me I get other people’s opinions likes and dislikes, how ever You don’t have to live with Mrs Chewbacca, she love the scallop shells with the frags in them says it looks like jewels and hopefully the will crust over the shells. He we go with the photos let me know what y’all think about them
Thank Y’all

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Ok I did my rock work without to much overload to the system ha ha. Believe me I get other people’s opinions likes and dislikes, how ever You don’t have to live with Mrs Chewbacca, she love the scallop shells with the frags in them says it looks like jewels and hopefully the will crust over the shells. He we go with the photos let me know what y’all think about them
Thank Y’all

Eventually they do. I don’t know how long it takes... got it like this.

 

[gotmesalty77]

So this is my revamp aquascape only missing one large piece that's going to be Centered in the foreground. Its getting scrubbed at the moment.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

So this is my revamp aquascape only missing one large piece that's going to be Centered in the foreground. Its getting scrubbed at the moment.

Much better!

 

[gotmesalty77]

I'm

Much better!

Actually really proud of it at least need a lot of room to change things if need be as well as a lot of negative space to give it some depth. I think the fishy will like it too.

 

[Curtis JoMo]

Still working on this one. Has a floating shelf I’m going to silicon direct to the overflow box.

Can follow my whole 175 gal reef tank build at www.instagram.com/peninsulareeftank

 

[sawdonkey]

Still working on this one. Has a floating shelf I’m going to silicon direct to the overflow box.

Can follow my whole 175 gal reef tank build at www.instagram.com/peninsulareeftank

Love that overflow shelf! Nice work.

 

[GSnake]

How about this tank? Was thinking about a tall Rock for left side. And a flat one for support the middle rocks. It's just for frontal display, there's another tank on the right and the wall to the left.

 

[maxfield911]

Just set this up, interested in opinions.

 

[sawdonkey]

Just set this up, interested in opinions.

I try not to lean my rocks on back glass so water flows better. Also, that front view wis WAY too symmetrical for me.

 

[GSnake]

Just set this up, interested in opinions.

I can see where your going with the caves, but it doesn't look like there will be much room for corals. and I like a lot of corals!, you may consider rearranging for light to rock surface area + height, maybe add a rock or two?

 

[Red_Beard]

Hey guys, i think i am in my own head too much to be of any objectivity on this scape im working on for my 48x18x20 75. Im eventually making it a mixed reef so i wanted to leave plenty of room for sticks up top. I have 2 options in the pics but am open to any and all suggestions.
The tank will be viewable from the front and left panes, so i sloped the rocks that way. The little island is going to be favia island, where all the favias can hang out. Gotta have an arch somewhere, but I'm having a hard time figuring out where to put it

In the middle, or on the side.

I feel like it looks kinda awkward still and can't pinpoint why.

I do have about 20lbs of rock not in the pics to add if need be.

 

[ScoobyJ]

Hi everyone, I'd like some suggestions on my tank, I'm new and have a blank slate. From the fragtoberfest this weekend I'm getting, a zoa, birds nest, torch, cactus pavona, and a duncan.

I keep going back and forth if I should remove some of the lower small rocks up front and open up the sand bed.

Also, I'm getting a gyre to replace one of the hydors. If you have powerhead recommendations, I'd like to hear it as well.

Thanks!

 

[truetricia]

@Ardeus

I've watched your videos and looked through all of your suggestions on this thread. I think I've created an aquascape that will meet with approval for both the Golden Rule and fish habitats. I've created two islands of different heights, with a nice valley that runs at an angle away from the eye. Considering this valley is the general same as the line of sight from the rest of the room (tank is in the corner), it'll provide a nice view. Even from the side, there is variety so that the rock work isn't flat when viewed. Yet there are still plenty of caves, swim throughs, and the rock is generally stable without epoxy. The left island has a rock with a bit of a natural overhang. In the pictures, the top looks a little flat. I am going to epoxy it at a bit more of an angle, but the epoxy isn't here yet.

Looking forward to comments and advice.

 

[GSnake]

Hi everyone, I'd like some suggestions on my tank, I'm new and have a blank slate. From the fragtoberfest this weekend I'm getting, a zoa, birds nest, torch, cactus pavona, and a duncan.

I keep going back and forth if I should remove some of the lower small rocks up front and open up the sand bed.

Also, I'm getting a gyre to replace one of the hydors. If you have powerhead recommendations, I'd like to hear it as well.

Thanks!

Instead of glueing frags to rock quickly. Consider where they might be placed for best growth.. off to the side maybe. On bottom vs near top. Etc. Those species are mostly bottom to mid. That's a good place to start

 

[GSnake]

Hi guys, I bought new rock and came up with this setup. Want to get the frags glued asap, if rock placement is good. Opinions? It went from the first pic last week to the new pics taken this week after a change up. I Will consider adjustments.!

Please see my first post , two posters above for the older pic. ...

 

[NY_Caveman]

I really like the second picture (that I quoted) the best. It is a little low on the right, perhaps, but coral growth will take care of that.