New to SW - Aquascaping Critics!

[htown1331]

Hi all,

I am brand new to saltwater and in the process of setting up this 55 gal tank. I don't want to get too crazy, but would like to have some simple corals and fish. I just bought my live rock (approx 65lbs) this weekend and set it up in the tank. Can an experienced reefer give me some feedback? Also, I haven't glued anything yet. Would you recommend I glue the live rock together once in place? This is already an exciting (expensive) hobby! Thanks in advance for the feedback!

 

[Peter Blue Reef]

<------First person to say"Welcome to R2R!" 281!!

 

[Peter Blue Reef]

As for your rocks you appear to have enough to start out with but if it were my tank I'd look around for more porous and less round pieces. The round rocks give it the "pile o rocks" look. I use lighter and more jagged pieces and Gorilla gel glue them for stability. You can apply super glue gel or gorilla gel under water with no worries to your inhabitants. As long as they don't touch it while it's wet. Or else they are there forever.

 

[htown1331]

Hey Buck, thanks for the feedback. After you said that I agree it did look too much like a "pile of rocks". I think I'm gonna settle on this for now...thoughts?

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R. I agree round two looks nicer. I like to suggest the thread below. Take a minute or sixty to read through it for some great ideas. Just remember, as long as it meets your coral placement and flow requirements, you're the one that has to like it the most. You're the only one that gets to see it and enjoy it every day.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/

 

[htown1331]

Great article! I decided to switch a couple more things around and I think it made a huge difference. Now just need to let it cycle!

 

[MmmmBalf]

Thinking about coral placement I'm not a fan of the tall standing rock. It doesn't give you enough realestate to sit corals on, just the small top area, and will always be a rock face. Try to create flat areas in steps & lots of hiding places/caves. Many fish like to sleep in the rock work & you need enough caves/crevices for them to each have their own place. You just about wouldn't know I had fish at night. They all vanish. I actually liked the first effort with the exception of the standing rock.

 

[Waters]

I think the problem for me is the large variety of different types of rock. I think the aquascape itself isn't bad but it has that pile of rocks feeling because every rock appears to be of a different type. I would either try to swap some rock out or just cover everything with coral so you won't see the rock anyways

 

[Susan Edwards]

I'd take that rock off the shelf and use it to connect to the one on the right for another cave or swim thru. My tang loves all the places it can swim thru or under. Maybe add another rock or two, like some pukani which has lots of holes for frag plugs and adds more texture. Nice start. Took me forever to settle on something secure and pleasing.

 

[htown1331]

So 4 months later (and many variations later), this is my current scape. I'm really happy with how it's progressing! Coralline is starting to cover everything, which is helping to cover up the "mixed rock" feel.

The birdsnest on the right is growing quickly and should fill some of the empty space toward the top of the tank as it does. The toadstools on the left should start to fill that space. I've gone a little crazy with the coral...I heard people say it can get addicting but this is ridiculous! Every time I walk by it I see an empty space that (obviously) needs its own frag! What do you guys think so far?

 

[htown1331]

Wow it’s been over a year since I’ve posted here! I’ve gone off the deep end with my reef, which is now starting to fill in nicely. This hobby is definitely addicting and rewarding. Check out my most recent pics!