Shallow Tank Scapes

[Katrina71]

We have a 30"x30"x15" tank in the works. I'd love to see what everyone has done with their shallow tanks.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Clam tank! That way you can see them top down

 

[Dsnakes]

Clam tank! That way you can see them top down

Great idea!

I really like the looks of some branch rock structures in a shallow tank. This isn’t my picture, but one scape that I like.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Great idea!

I really like the looks of some branch rock structures in a shallow tank. This isn’t my picture, but one scape that I like.

I can't take all the credit. My husband has wanted a shallow clam tank for as long as I can remember .

 

[Dine]

Here’s mine. 24x24x12

 

[Katrina71]

Here’s mine. 24x24x12

What height did you make your stand?

 

[DSC reef]

Clam tank! That way you can see them top down

I second this idea!

 

[lonelyfloat]

Clam tank! That way you can see them top down

+1

 

[WV Reefer]

30” is almost as long as mine.

 

[Ms386514]

Here’s my 20g long

 

[Jon Fishman]

We have a 30"x30"x15" tank in the works. I'd love to see what everyone has done with their shallow tanks.

I just rearranged some stuff, so need a new picture..... but 96 x 20 x 18

I didn’t like the open area on the right, and I needed to catch a lobster anyways

 

[Dine]

What height did you make your stand?

I’ve never measured it. It’s short. When I walk up I look straight down into the tank. I’m working on a larger shallow build right now and I will make a taller stand for it. Something that’s more easily viewed from the front but not so tall I can’t reach in or view it from above. Thinking bar heightish

 

[Dine]

We have a 30"x30"x15" tank in the works. I'd love to see what everyone has done with their shallow tanks.

Look up aquascape. There’s a few threads around that break down from an artists perspective what makes a tank visually appealing. I think it will help you out a lot. Focal points, depth, balance, etc. I think shallow tank and deeper tanks scapes are roughly the same. But with a shallow tank height/depth become more exaggerated and to me fuller/more appealing.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Clam tank! That way you can see them top down

This is a great idea!

 

[Greybeard]

I like short, fat tanks, as well. I'm in the process of rebuilding... moving away from soft corals, so the tank is empty at the moment. I like a fairly minimal amount of rockwork.... new rocks layout will hopefully be done later this week. It's likely to still be two distinct islands with lots of open space. Oh, this tank is 60" x 30" x 18"

Here's a shot from right before I tore it all apart

 

[NY_Caveman]

Bump! Let’s see some more shallow tanks!

 

[Kristonenicolas]

Here's mine. 21g UNS 90l. Don't mind the bleached torches =/

 

[minus9]

I'll post of pic of mine in the morning when the lights are on. I love shallow tanks! As far as aquascaping shallow tanks, it depends on what you want to keep? Mixed reef, I would have a few bigger rocks, mixed with some branch rock, but if you wanna grow sticks, then get flat rocks so you can get some height from the sticks before they grow out of the water.
In my 90g (36x36x16) I used islands to create meandering channels for the fish to move around with varying rock heights. The taller rocks that I have will have stags in the middle and tabling sps on the edges (or at least that was my plan). I have one maxima now, but want to add a few more and maybe a derasa in the back?

 

[JonChicago]

Heres mine. 24 x24 x 12. Taller rocks in back left and right with lower levels up front with an open space in the middle. Sorta a U-shape when looking from above

 

[minus9]

Here are a few quick pix, still a little too blue, but I'll take a couple more when the lights ramp up more.