Pointers on my scape.

[Reef.]

About to try my first scape on a Nuvo 14, so not much room to work with, I ordered 5kg Real Reef Rock, trouble is it came in just 2 big pieces, one piece I can leave whole as I like the way it looks but 2 big pieces in the tank would not look right. So I’ll need to break one up.

What do I need to achieve with the scape, is it just placement areas for coral or do I need to provide caves and hide holes for the fish to sleep etc or is that just down to preference?

 

[Daniel92481]

When it comes to scaping your tank, it’s really personal preference other than making sure your wavemaker and return don’t block too much flow within your scape. You can provide overhangs, caves, or arches depending on how you want it to look. Don’t rush it, break up a few pieces, and play around with it. I suggest arranging your rocks on top of a piece of cardboard that has your tanks measurements, so you can make sure it’s the right fit before you epoxy your rocks together. I would also make sure to leave about two inches from the rock and glass on all sides, so you can vacuum your sand/glass bottom, and minimize detritus build up.

 

[ahiggins]

When it comes to scaping your tank, it’s really personal preference other than making sure your wavemaker and return don’t block too much flow within your scape. You can provide overhangs, caves, or arches depending on how you want it to look. Don’t rush it, break up a few pieces, and play around with it. I suggest arranging your rocks on top of a piece of cardboard that has your tanks measurements, so you can make sure it’s the right fit before you epoxy your rocks together. I would also make sure to leave about two inches from the rock and glass on all sides, so you can vacuum your sand/glass bottom, and minimize detritus build up.

Agreed with literally everything lol especially the leaving space between the glass/rock. I didn’t do that this time around and there algae my snails can’t get to. Also make sure the flow is good like above.

 

[Reef.]

Agreed with literally everything lol especially the leaving space between the glass/rock. I didn’t do that this time around and there algae my snails can’t get to. Also make sure the flow is good like above.

Ok great, just I read on here someone saying fish need places to sleep, so just had me wondering, as with my tank being small I can’t see me being able to make caves etc more likely just a couple of rocks on the sand bed is going to be my limit.

 

[ahiggins]

You’re limited in your 14, because actual volume will be closer to 10 gallons. I bought 10 lb dry rock and it came in bigger pieces I had to smash up too. I changed around my scape probably 4 times before I put coral in and after the cycle lol the only thing I wish I would have done is left room between rock and glass because I’ve got algae the snails can’t get to. Hoping the new ones I bought will be small enough.
I chose to scape this way because it’s a bedside table and wanted to be able to see everything from the bed as well as from the front. I also like to hide my powerheads.

Here’s my 10:

 

[ahiggins]

I chose a sapphire damsel as my sole fish. I do the hobby for coral, fish are cool but not my thing.

 

[Reef.]

You’re limited in your 14, because actual volume will be closer to 10 gallons. I bought 10 lb dry rock and it came in bigger pieces I had to smash up too. I changed around my scape probably 4 times before I put coral in and after the cycle lol the only thing I wish I would have done is left room between rock and glass because I’ve got algae the snails can’t get to. Hoping the new ones I bought will be small enough.
I chose to scape this way because it’s a bedside table and wanted to be able to see everything from the bed as well as from the front. I also like to hide my powerheads.

Here’s my 10:

looks great! I might need more rock as I only got 5kg, I’m not looking farward to smashing the rock, I just know it’s not going to break the way I would want it too.

I was looking at a sapphire damsel for my tank but Liveaquaria has them down as needing 30g as a minimum? Are you planning on moving it on when it gets bigger or do they do ok in smaller tanks than they recommend?

 

[ahiggins]

I have an unpopular outlook on fish. My fish have always been healthy but I push the requirements a little. The small damsels (in my unpopular opinion) will do just fine in a 10 as long as they’re the only inhabitant. They need their space/territory but as long as you can provide for them and keep them healthy and nutrients down, I don’t see an issue. I usually stick to the list I sent you.

 

[Reef.]

I have an unpopular outlook on fish. My fish have always been healthy but I push the requirements a little. The small damsels (in my unpopular opinion) will do just fine in a 10 as long as they’re the only inhabitant. They need their space/territory but as long as you can provide for them and keep them healthy and nutrients down, I don’t see an issue. I usually stick to the list I sent you.

thanks for that info, just what I was needing.

Would love a sapphire damsel but if it needs to be by itself then it’s not going to work for me as I’m set on a pair of clowns, looks like my hunt for the 3rd fish continues.

Guess The damsel can go in my upgraded tank when the inevitable happens.

 

[ahiggins]

Clowns are weird lol I’ve had them before, not a fan. They’re cute though. If you don’t mind perching fish, you can do a small goby-clown gobies are a nice little pop of color.

 

[Txplicit]

Bro... that is awesome. I feel like a lava lamp right next to it and a bean bag chair for observing the tank would be perfect. Simplistic but it accents the livestock. Oh and the disco ball affect in the sand bed is a cool vibe too.