Not Loving my Aquascape. Help!

Bmw015 · Nov 25, 2018

mtraylor · Nov 25, 2018

No one likes their initial aquascaping. LOL. As corals grow, algae etc. They usually come together.

you have to get it where you think is good and leave it alone. If you have ideas in your head of what you want then you need to get the rocks and a hammer and
chisel and design it outside of the tank and glue together and re insert.

SPR1968 · Nov 25, 2018

If your not happy then just have a long think of what you like and then redesign it.

The following thread may give your some ideas and also search modern reef aquascapes and there are loads of pictures

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brand-new-aquascape-forum.386276/

Anyway your looks fine to me

davocean · Nov 25, 2018

I would definitely move the dragonfly to the right!

It does look a little precariously balanced, not bad though, but I agree could probably look better(They almost always can right?) and I also agree to look at pics/threads, and find what you like.

Set corals aside and pull rocks, set on a board or template of some kind, start playing around w/ what fits.
Keep them moist as you go.

KrisReef · Nov 25, 2018

Yes, I agree you can do better. I'm not a teacher in this department, but there have been some threads. I searched here,

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

@Sea Witch is working on making some pages on R2R to answer these kinds of questions. Best of luck!

Bmw015 · Nov 25, 2018

mtraylor said:
No one likes their initial aquascaping. LOL. As corals grow, algae etc. They usually come together.

you have to get it where you think is good and leave it alone. If you have ideas in your head of what you want then you need to get the rocks and a hammer and
chisel and design it outside of the tank and glue together and re insert.

Lol. So true. It does look bare. But really, I can see that the balance is off and it’s just not coming to me. I’ve changed it quite a bit since I started 4 months ago. But you’re totally right. Patience is key.

Bmw015 · Nov 25, 2018

SPR1968 said:
If your not happy then just have a long think of what you like and then redesign it.

The following thread may give your some ideas and also search modern reef aquascapes and there are loads of pictures

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brand-new-aquascape-forum.386276/

Anyway your looks fine to me

Thank you! I’ll read through that thread now!

Bmw015 · Nov 25, 2018

davocean said:
I would definitely move the dragonfly to the right!

It does look a little precariously balanced, not bad though, but I agree could probably look better(They almost always can right?) and I also agree to look at pics/threads, and find what you like.

Set corals aside and pull rocks, set on a board or template of some kind, start playing around w/ what fits.
Keep them moist as you go.

Dragonfly? Do you mean the Big frogspawn in the middle? Or the favia. Those are the only corals not glued in. Thank you!

Bmw015 · Nov 25, 2018

KrisReef said:
Yes, I agree you can do better. I'm not a teacher in this department, but there have been some threads. I searched here,

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

@Sea Witch is working on making some pages on R2R to answer these kinds of questions. Best of luck!

Thank you!!! I’ll read through the thread tonight!!

Bmw015 · Nov 27, 2018

.

Does this look better? I’m thinking about trying to float the piece in the right and glueing the GSP mat on the wall.

mtraylor · Nov 27, 2018

Ok. Now you got me started. LOL. Me personally......I would not have that tonga rock so close to the glass. It may be an illusion, but it looks like you will not be able to clean the glass there. I would get more live rock and then remold those pieces to suit my design. Maybe a tonga bridge between a couple formations.

4FordFamily · Nov 27, 2018

I try to balance height as much as possible but it’s really hard to describe how I’ve done it—- I’ve just done it so many times in the last 14 years

More rock is easier to “scape” than less, as well.

Bmw015 · Dec 13, 2018

Changed a bit more. Might do a Tonga bridge as suggest! Thanks!

Luna · Dec 13, 2018

First you have to figure out what you want. Do you want pillars, a couple islands or one big mass. Start with the most stable on bottom, then just interlock them at their most stable position. Unless you have a lot of reef putty.

davocean · Dec 14, 2018

Bmw015 said:
Dragonfly? Do you mean the Big frogspawn in the middle? Or the favia. Those are the only corals not glued in. Thank you!

Sorry I was having fun w/ what looks like a dragonfly sticker on wall reflected in your tank pic.

I like your last 2 scapes better, and I actually prefer the first of the 2 that has less rock, not that I think you need less or can't add to it, I just prefer the open areas and swim through sections

Bmw015 · Dec 26, 2018

davocean said:
Sorry I was having fun w/ what looks like a dragonfly sticker on wall reflected in your tank pic.

I like your last 2 scapes better, and I actually prefer the first of the 2 that has less rock, not that I think you need less or can't add to it, I just prefer the open areas and swim through sections

Bmw015 · Dec 26, 2018

davocean said:
Sorry I was having fun w/ what looks like a dragonfly sticker on wall reflected in your tank pic.

I like your last 2 scapes better, and I actually prefer the first of the 2 that has less rock, not that I think you need less or can't add to it, I just prefer the open areas and swim through sections

Lol. It is a dragonfly! I didn’t even notice in the reflection. It’s an L for my daughter’s nursery. A friend made it and my baby is too grown for such things at the ripe old age of 9.

I’m going to keep fiddling. I do like open swim areas. The Tonga rock just seemed too disconnected. And the large RBTA decided it liked the back of the base rock so I pulled aside so I can see her occasionally, as opposed to never. Lol.