Opinions on aquascape

[WnYreefer]

I'm in the process of setting up a new tank. I want to have a drop off/wall on either the back of the tank or covering the overflow coming partially out of the water. On top of the wall will be mangroves. The size of the tank is 48x24x16. I am planning on blacking out the back so it is viewable length wise. Here are two pics and still a work in progress. Thought?

 

[WnYreefer]

Can I get a bump bump!

 

[maroun.c]

Can u post a FTS and tell from what sides the tank can be seen?

 

[WnYreefer]

@maroun.c
My plan is to block out three sides and have the one length side of the tank viewable. Here are a few more shots again a work in progress.
First two against glass length and from above.

Next two are against overflow.

Hopes this helps.

Thanks
Mike

 

[maroun.c]

I'm not sure this will give you much room for corals placement and would worry about light as your using red edge of whatever lights you're getting...
Otherwise irs still a nice and unique scape so why not

 

[don_chuwish]

From experience (tho I suppose it's still personal preference) I'd suggest leaving space between the rocks and the tank sides. Enough space to be able to clean the glass, stir up substrate, etc. Rocks tight to the sides just trap crud you can never get rid of.

 

[WnYreefer]

I'm not sure this will give you much room for corals placement and would worry about light as your using red edge of whatever lights you're getting...
Otherwise irs still a nice and unique scape so why not

I will be transferring my current rock from my 30 once I have the new tank set up. I would like to try to achieve a depth of field with either having the rock wall against/close to the back glass or against the overflow, then have larger rock "in back" to smaller rock "up front". If that makes sense? I am not sure how much coral I will place on the "wall" but I guess I would say, never say never.
I will be using two 150W Metal Halides for lighting and thank you.

 

[WnYreefer]

From experience (tho I suppose it's still personal preference) I'd suggest leaving space between the rocks and the tank sides. Enough space to be able to clean the glass, stir up substrate, etc. Rocks tight to the sides just trap crud you can never get rid of.

Thank you for the suggestion. If I go the back glass route I will leave a inch or two open so I can get behind to clean. I can always use PVC or acrylic to support the rock. If it covers the overflow do you think it would be much of a problem?

 

[Tori]

I like the option that partially covers the overflow.

 

[maroun.c]

Achieving an added Visual depth of field is not only about having rocks against one glass pannel or overflow it's about the orientation of the rockwork, slanted angle going high as you go backwards... my tank is only 34 inches front to back but other reefers with tanks 20 inches deeper have said it looked deeper than their tanks and none of the rocks even touches the glass and the highest rock in the tank is around half the tank height....

 

[WnYreefer]

I like the option that partially covers the overflow.

Thank you for your input!

 

[WnYreefer]

Achieving an added Visual depth of field is not only about having rocks against one glass pannel or overflow it's about the orientation of the rockwork, slanted angle going high as you go backwards... my tank is only 34 inches front to back but other reefers with tanks 20 inches deeper have said it looked deeper than their tanks and none of the rocks even touches the glass and the highest rock in the tank is around half the tank height....

I appreciate the feedback. I do not have the rest of the rocks in because they are in my current tank and I will have to add them once the new tank is set up. I wanted to try to give a depth of field, but also the rock wall on either the back wall or overflow is to in hopes give it the illusion as is you are heading towards shore if that makes sense?

 

[Tori]

Thank you for your input!

Anytime! Putting a smaller structure forward and to the left of what you have may provide some interesting depth. I'm not sure if that will be what you are looking for though.

 

[jsker]

I like both opinions so far, it is almost the feng shui of reef keeping. if I could figure is out I would glue some rock against the glass. Yes my tank is setup and running already, but I like the covered overflow and rock ledges coming of the glass effect. My second tank will have a suspended effect so that there is nothing on the bottom.

 

[WnYreefer]

Anytime! Putting a smaller structure forward and to the left of what you have may provide some interesting depth. I'm not sure if that will be what you are looking for though.

Thank you for the input! I do have a larger piece of rock that I thought about putting in front of the overflow if I go with covering the back. I guess maybe I am trying to give more of a sense of heading for shore than depth "even though if I can achieve it great!" I also want to attempt some sort of seagrass planted in the main display, more researched needed though.

 

[WnYreefer]

I like both opinions so far, it is almost the feng shui of reef keeping. if I could figure is out I would glue some rock against the glass. Yes my tank is setup and running already, but I like the covered overflow and rock ledges coming of the glass effect. My second tank will have a suspended effect so that there is nothing on the bottom.

Thank you for your input! I'll have to take a look at your current setup!

 

[jsker]

Just click the first link in my signature and that will tank you to my build thread. Like yourself what I know now compared to when I did my system, would I have done thing different? Yes. One of the things I would have done is glue my scape and I would have done that dry like you are doing. I would still leave it so that if I had to do a tare down I could. The way I have things now I can tare down but at a great risk to the corals that I have grown. until something comes lose now, then I glue it right. Ahhh the second tank will be better

 

[WnYreefer]

Just click the first link in my signature and that will tank you to my build thread. Like yourself what I know now compared to when I did my system, would I have done thing different? Yes. One of the things I would have done is glue my scape and I would have done that dry like you are doing. I would still leave it so that if I had to do a tare down I could. The way I have things now I can tare down but at a great risk to the corals that I have grown. until something comes lose now, then I glue it right. Ahhh the second tank will be better

Your tank looks great! I really like your stand.
Have you ever looked into magnets for holding rock up? If you are looking for an island anyway, I have read about people gluing rocks to glass but not if it would work with water in already.
Glue is great to have . I do not plan on putting a bunch or corals on the wall, but i also said that about my current tank not having a lot and not its packed.

 

[jsker]

Your tank looks great! I really like your stand.
Have you ever looked into magnets for holding rock up? If you are looking for an island anyway, I have read about people gluing rocks to glass but not if it would work with water in already.
Glue is great to have . I do not plan on putting a bunch or corals on the wall, but i also said that about my current tank not having a lot and not its packed.

Thank you. I have seen some posts with people using magnets for small rock shelves, i forgot about that. That would be the way I might go, is the magnets. Thank you for suggesting that.

 

[jsker]

Boom just found what I looking for https://www.google.com/search?q=mag...ei=NagfV6v3Jcq7eYz0gKAB#imgrc=iOM0YTGZdPj44M: