Need help with your aquascape?

[A-Reef]

I tried to upload a video of the tank but couldn't get it done, maybe was too big. here are some pictures of the tank after I removed the rock with the anemones

 

[niklas.baastrup]

So first attempt at an aquascape. Any advice before i glue and put it in the tank?

Best regards

 

[Streetlamp]

So first attempt at an aquascape. Any advice before i glue and put it in the tank?

Best regards

I like it a lot, very natural looking.

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

So first attempt at an aquascape. Any advice before i glue and put it in the tank?

Best regards

I like it. Asymmetric with curves always looks natural.

 

[PeterLL]

How do people think I could improve? Maybe make it more interesting and exciting? I do quite like the look of bays and open areas as wel as a nice rock pile

 

[alimac122]

Thoughts? The wife wants a snowflake eel so I have a huge pile on the left for caves and such. I will also be adding some pvc tunnels

Are you doing corals only plus the snowflake or are you doing fish too??

 

[LayT27]

Are you doing corals only plus the snowflake or are you doing fish too??

Doing fish as well. I haven’t fully decided to do corals yet but the eel and fish is a sure thing

 

[Cmack59]

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.

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.

In the meantime, if you want some inspiration here are a few videos I made with suggestions for different tank shapes.

 

[Cmack59]

Sorry had happy fingers- your video for rectangle tanks is most helpful

 

[sos]

Hello Ardeus,

just started cycling my WB20 after being away from the hobby 10 yrs. Any input of what could improve my scape before filling cube with critters.

 

[Cv111]

Can anyone share some pictures of tanks with similar dimensions to mine? 36" x 18" x 18" rimless. Plan on a mixed reef with lots of softies. Have 70 lbs of reefsaver macro rock. Trying to maximize rock in the display tank to provide copepods for a mandarin, but I have a 12 gallon refugium that much of the excess can go into. Other fish will include a clownfish pair and a CUC including a fireshrimp and some snail boys.

 

[Manda0597]

The good, the bad, the ugly! Help please! I really like the right lagoon structure, but the rest I like, but I could not figure out a way I loved it. View point will be left side of tank and front. Should I remove everything from left and try to make a triangle pyramid type structure over there?

 

[cvrle1]

I would try to move all the rocks away from the glass to start with. You wont be able to clean glass like this, and will get algae growth. Also, it will most likely create dead spots and detritus buildup that you wont be able to clean up. Same can happen inside that alcove on the right. I was thinking about doing same, but lots of people mentioned the above. Beef up one of the structures, get it higher up to have some difference height wise. Right now everything is same level. If you aim to have SPS, go to about 1/2 the tank height. If you arent going to have sps, you can go a bit higher. If you do that, I would remove structure in the middle, that way it gives you 2 distinct pieces. Aquascape takes time, and getting something that you like may take weeks.

 

[Manda0597]

I would try to move all the rocks away from the glass to start with. You wont be able to clean glass like this, and will get algae growth. Also, it will most likely create dead spots and detritus buildup that you wont be able to clean up. Same can happen inside that alcove on the right. I was thinking about doing same, but lots of people mentioned the above. Beef up one of the structures, get it higher up to have some difference height wise. Right now everything is same level. If you aim to have SPS, go to about 1/2 the tank height. If you arent going to have sps, you can go a bit higher. If you do that, I would remove structure in the middle, that way it gives you 2 distinct pieces. Aquascape takes time, and getting something that you like may take weeks.

So I changed it up when I got home from work a bit! It’s like you get writers block when you look at it for too long Lol

 

[cvrle1]

So I changed it up when I got home from work a bit! It’s like you get writers block when you look at it for too long Lol

Yeah, once you have something that you think you like, leave it be for day or two without looking at it or thinking about it. When you see it next time odds are that there will be parts you dont like, and will want to redo them again. I like that structure on the left. Try maybe still removing middle one and see what that looks like. It would give more swim space, and would make it all look symmetrical. In the end, when all corals are placed isside you wont be able to see your scape anyways, so build scape for corals and fish that you plan on having.

 

[charlie7073]

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.

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.

In the meantime, if you want some inspiration here are a few videos I made with suggestions for different tank shapes.

How could I improve my Aquascape? I could buy more rock or break current ones if necessary

 

[Ardeus]

It's too flat on top and symmetrical.

It also has little depth.

I would add very small details (small rocks) to change that.

 

[WGivens]

Would love to hear your advice on this...Just getting started, never really had SPS coral, but heading that way.... would love some advice on aquascape, coral placement etc. I really want the tank to look as natural as possible.

 

[Ardeus]

Would love to hear your advice on this...Just getting started, never really had SPS coral, but heading that way.... would love some advice on aquascape, coral placement etc. I really want the tank to look as natural as possible.

It's difficult to see your scape with just the side views.

 

[Ardeus]

So I changed it up when I got home from work a bit! It’s like you get writers block when you look at it for too long Lol

Your previous scape was nicer.

Here's a suggestion: