New to aquarium setup, how's this aquascape?

ItsAName · Nov 1, 2016

I'm new to all of this, but diving head first into it. I've been reading up on it for 2 months, watching videos, reading threads, etc... Here's my first attempt at an aquascape, I'm interested in opinions. Is this a good setup for fish and coral? Is it weird to have Pukani on one side and Tonga branch on another. I've never seen another setup like that by browsing the forums, but I think it looks cool. But maybe there is something fundamentally wrong with it or it's ugly to the rest of the world

Honest opinions please, even if they are brutal, I can take it!

Let me know, thanks!

Pdandy · Nov 1, 2016

It's your tank. It only matters if you like it. I do think it looks a little odd with all of the branching stuff on the one side.

Nick92515 · Nov 1, 2016

How big and what size is your tank. that may be ok for a 20 gallon, but depends on tank size.

Quah · Nov 1, 2016

I'd try and mix all the pieces together, that flat rock can make a good overhang which will add shadows and make a more dynamic aquascape.

ItsAName · Nov 1, 2016

It's 75 gallon. In that image, from left to right is 44" since the total tank length is 48". The tank is 18" wide and 20" highj

Nano101 · Nov 1, 2016

I'd have more LR for a 75

Nick92515 · Nov 1, 2016

I'd say about 75-125 lbs depending on what kind of rock

ItsAName · Nov 1, 2016

That's about 75 lbs of rock

sinekal · Nov 2, 2016

You do not necessarily need a lot of rock. A little can go a long way in being able to host sufficient bacteria for the tank.

I like your first attempt. I like the balance between to two islands. I don't think you necessarily need to mix the rock type. Like someone else said, if it's visually appealing to you that's what matters.

For fish and coral, I think the first question is how stable is the struture. If it can fall it will. I personally try to keep the amount of gluing rocks together to a minimum while still achieving a structure I cant topple even when I put my weight on it. I do that so I can pull out my strutcture if it comes to that. Something will go wrong, like getting bryopsis, that will make you want to pull stuff out at some point.

The other design goals I have are overhangs and pass throughs in the rock. Anytime I have created either the fish seem to dig those features.

My only design goal for coral placement is keep the pieces as far apart as possible. Basically create more spaces and surface area. I landed an a two island design much like yours in my current tank.

Quah · Nov 2, 2016

Here is a good link on aquascaping basics and how to get a more dynamic looking aquarium. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/311811-tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes/ I've referred to this thread and others like it quite often, ultimately it comes down to what you like the best but there are tips and tricks that make a dynamic scape - such as the rule of thirds.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 2, 2016

I like it. Once the coralline and mulm and corals cover it, youll never notice any of the minor flaws.
Plus your going to find small colonies on rock later. I think your good to go.

Chrisfish · Nov 2, 2016

First off, welcome to R2R

you've joined a great SW community. As several members have said if you like it that's what counts and I think it's a great start. Looking forward to seeing more of your progress

themcnertney · Nov 2, 2016

I remember I used care so much about how my rock looks. After a couple years in the hobby, when the coral would literally take over the rock, it isn't something I concern myself with anymore.

Placement of coral is more important then the rock formation, but then one could argue that the rock formation dictate the coral placement.

Betty1964 · Nov 2, 2016

Make it stable and sturdy. I personally like caves for my fish to go in but that's not everyone's thing. Do what makes you happy.

klp · Nov 3, 2016

This is not mine but will give you an idea what has been said about coral placement and rock design. What you imagine it will look like with corals etc. appears to be important. I also like overhangs or bridges but this design did not need them. Hope this gives you some ideas.

Biokabe · Nov 3, 2016

My only concern would be your big island on the right; not a lot of space for water to flow through, which could give you some spots of dead flow behind the rocks, depending on how much space there is between the back of the rock and the wall of the tank. If you can fit a gravel vac behind the island, you should be fine. Otherwise, you risk having a lot of detritus piling up behind that island and contributing to algae growth as it decays.

Gator1970 · Dec 3, 2016

Quah said:
Here is a good link on aquascaping basics and how to get a more dynamic looking aquarium. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/311811-tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes/ I've referred to this thread and others like it quite often, ultimately it comes down to what you like the best but there are tips and tricks that make a dynamic scape - such as the rule of thirds.

Thanks for the link - I'm planning a nuvo 50, and this article gave me some good strategies for the rock design!