Some help with aquascaping shelf rock

[Cow]

I got 75lbs of marco shelf rock and am looking for some helping scaping it. Waiting for my garden line to defrost later in the week when it gets warmer to use the RODI system so figured now would be a good time to get some advice and suggestions. I have a 75 gallon 48inW 18inD 21inH tank and included some pictures of a ruff setup but looking for some suggestions. Going to be a mix of soft and LPS corals with very few fish. Wasn't really sure how to build the structures for best coral placement so some pointers would be great. I have 8 pedestals and about 6 large pieces to prop up.

 

[Centerline]

May want to try using just three structures or even two. Largest furthest away on one side, next tallest a little closer to the front of the tank on the other side and then the smallest one closer to the front. This can create a sense of depth. Or you could just pile them up into a rockwall. There is also a very good thread on r2r that is very demonstrative.

Some examples to think about.

 

[Cow]

Thanks for the tips, it took me a while to finally give it a shot as I was prepping for everything I needed to start the tank. Here's what I ended up with at my first time aquascaping, would love to hear some critique. I'm sure I could have come up with something better but I got tired of obsessing over placement. The tall structure on the left could look more natural but I kind of messed up cementing the pedestals before lining them up because it wouldn't balance naturally.



Also I have one piece of rock left, should I cover part of the arch with it? Can't decided if I like the look or not or if you guys have a better idea.



I also need some tips to prop up my islands a bit higher out of the sand bed. I want the islands so I can keep some softies that grow really fast without having to worry about them taking over my previous space on the connected rocks.

 

[ryshark]

Thanks for the tips, it took me a while to finally give it a shot as I was prepping for everything I needed to start the tank. Here's what I ended up with at my first time aquascaping, would love to hear some critique. I'm sure I could have come up with something better but I got tired of obsessing over placement. The tall structure on the left could look more natural but I kind of messed up cementing the pedestals before lining them up because it wouldn't balance naturally.



Also I have one piece of rock left, should I cover part of the arch with it? Can't decided if I like the look or not or if you guys have a better idea.



I also need some tips to prop up my islands a bit higher out of the sand bed. I want the islands so I can keep some softies that grow really fast without having to worry about them taking over my previous space on the connected rocks.

I know this thread is a little old now, but I wanted to say nice job! I like your aquascaping and the stadium seating style you created, that should be good for lots of coral.

 

[Centerline]

Thanks for the tips, it took me a while to finally give it a shot as I was prepping for everything I needed to start the tank. Here's what I ended up with at my first time aquascaping, would love to hear some critique. I'm sure I could have come up with something better but I got tired of obsessing over placement. The tall structure on the left could look more natural but I kind of messed up cementing the pedestals before lining them up because it wouldn't balance naturally.



Also I have one piece of rock left, should I cover part of the arch with it? Can't decided if I like the look or not or if you guys have a better idea.



I also need some tips to prop up my islands a bit higher out of the sand bed. I want the islands so I can keep some softies that grow really fast without having to worry about them taking over my previous space on the connected rocks.

That looks fantastic!

 

[Cow]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the feedback! I stressed over this so much being my first coral tank and was super worried I would grow dissatisfied with it. I've never been much of a perfectionist but building this drove me nuts trying to find the best arrangement and eventually had to give up because I didn't know what else to do. The feedback made me feel so much better about it, I wasn't sure I did a very good job and kept wishing I had someone with an eye to come in and show how to do it right.

I can't wait to build my next aquascape after keeping a reef for a while and having a better understanding of rock structures for best coral placement and look. I feel like I made a lot of mistakes with this build and felt like a total noob.

My tanks been up and running for 3 months with some zoas, I'll post some pictures once I add my fish next week. I could use some help on coral placement down the road here.

 

[Zeal]

May want to try using just three structures or even two. Largest furthest away on one side, next tallest a little closer to the front of the tank on the other side and then the smallest one closer to the front. This can create a sense of depth. Or you could just pile them up into a rockwall. There is also a very good thread on r2r that is very demonstrative.

Some examples to think about.

I think im in love. My next tank WILL have this exact rock structure :O

 

[Neil Fox]

Very nice!

 

[Centerline]

I think im in love. My next tank WILL have this exact rock structure :O

Ya, the aesthetic is obvious in relationship to reef scaping. Using a grinder / masonry blade pulse a little muriatic acid to smooth rough edges designs like this are fairly easy if time consuming.

 

[Zeal]

Ya, the aesthetic is obvious in relationship to reef scaping. Using a grinder / masonry blade pulse a little muriatic acid to smooth rough edges designs like this are fairly easy if time consuming.

Saved the picture for when I get a 80g I wanan find rock that resembles this set up

 

[JonPhillips]

Looks cool! Like a little city!