Thoughts on Reef Aquascaping

MiamiAG · Nov 8, 2018

Hi all,

I'm a transplant from the freshwater side. Although much smaller than the saltwater side, the FW folks are leagues ahead in aquascaping. Granted, they have it easier. However, there is no reason why the same principals don't apply in SW.

For example, the iwagumi style is a very popular aquascaping style. You can see it here depicted in a reef:

Are any of you using similar principals with your aquascapes?

Best,

Art

Oscaror · Nov 8, 2018

MiamiAG said:
Hi all,

I'm a transplant from the freshwater side. Although much smaller than the saltwater side, the FW folks are leagues ahead in aquascaping. Granted, they have it easier. However, there is no reason why the same principals don't apply in SW.

For example, the iwagumi style is a very popular aquascaping style. You can see it here depicted in a reef:

Are any of you using similar principals with your aquascapes?

Best,

Art

I came up with a really cool new style of aquascaping, but I'm not sharing my secret until I get my tank ;Smuggrin

MiamiAG · Nov 8, 2018

Oscaror said:
I came up with a really cool new style of aquascaping, but I'm not sharing my secret until I get my tank ;Smuggrin

Can't wait to see it. No pressure but I would really like to see a new style.

Oscaror · Nov 8, 2018

MiamiAG said:
Can't wait to see it. No pressure but I would really like to see a new style.

Oh trust me it's a nice one

xellos88 · Nov 9, 2018

Does the bonsai inspired look count?

Danj · Nov 9, 2018

xellos88 said:
Does the bonsai inspired look count?

What form of witchcraft is holding those rocks up?

xellos88 · Nov 9, 2018

Danj said:
What form of witchcraft is holding those rocks up?

The magnetic kind.

Smite · Nov 9, 2018

MiamiAG said:
Hi all,

I'm a transplant from the freshwater side. Although much smaller than the saltwater side, the FW folks are leagues ahead in aquascaping. Granted, they have it easier. However, there is no reason why the same principals don't apply in SW.

For example, the iwagumi style is a very popular aquascaping style. You can see it here depicted in a reef:

Are any of you using similar principals with your aquascapes?

Best,

Art

What size is this tank?....and where can I find a Naso that small?!

I love the look. Extremely minimal on live rock. I'd imagine the sumps got some bio-blocks or a bunch of live rock? Plenty of snails and the two fish serve purposes, clams as well.

Very cool nano but walking the knife for sure IMO.

norfolkgarden · Nov 11, 2018

MiamiAG said:
Hi all,

I'm a transplant from the freshwater side. Although much smaller than the saltwater side, the FW folks are leagues ahead in aquascaping. Granted, they have it easier. However, there is no reason why the same principals don't apply in SW.

For example, the iwagumi style is a very popular aquascaping style. You can see it here depicted in a reef:

Are any of you using similar principals with your aquascapes?

Best,

Art

Those colors are eye popping beautiful!

But the tank is so empty?

Liverock gives an additional base color running throughout the tank to tie it all together. And some structure for the corals to grow up from naturally.

It sort of looks like you dumped a bunch of beautiful mini colonies in an empty tank?

While you certainly need negative space to accent the positive space, I continue to fail to warm up to these empty tanks.
[emoji53]

I think they are also a disservice to the fish living in them.
[emoji53]

Clearly it may be my fault for not appreciating something beautiful.
The individual corals certainly are beautiful!
But please educate me on why this display is something you would brag about?

sp1187 · Nov 11, 2018

MiamiAG · Nov 12, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
Those colors are eye popping beautiful!

But the tank is so empty?

Liverock gives an additional base color running throughout the tank to tie it all together. And some structure for the corals to grow up from naturally.

It sort of looks like you dumped a bunch of beautiful mini colonies in an empty tank?

While you certainly need negative space to accent the positive space, I continue to fail to warm up to these empty tanks.
[emoji53]

I think they are also a disservice to the fish living in them.
[emoji53]

Clearly it may be my fault for not appreciating something beautiful.
The individual corals certainly are beautiful!
But please educate me on why this display is something you would brag about?

Hi and thanks for the comment. Certainly your opinion on any tank is valid. There are different opinions on beauty.

I personally appreciate the bonsai tank for its attempt to try something different in a reef setting and for following the rules of a 5 stone iwagumi style. I also like minimalist scapes so it plays to my likings.

I posted that aquascape because it's an example where someone was "intentionally" using aquascaping principals and a style in a reef setting. My point is that most aquascapes in the reef aquarium fall into either rock walls or interesting rock shapes but lack the application of sound visual arts principals such as focal points, rule of thirds or the golden ratio, dynamic triangles, perspective, scale, etc.

Waters · Nov 12, 2018

I guess it depends on which types of freshwater aquascaping you are talking about. I came from the freshwater planted tank side also........I have seen some very well done macro algae SW (although immediately not nearly as effective) tanks that actually look similar to those FW tanks like these......

I have also seen iwagumi style SW tanks in the form of Bommies....similar to this.........

I guess the only types of tanks that would be difficult are the ones that try to duplicate above ground scenes, like forests with running rivers.

norfolkgarden · Nov 12, 2018

MiamiAG said:
Hi and thanks for the comment. Certainly your opinion on any tank is valid. There are different opinions on beauty.

I personally appreciate the bonsai tank for its attempt to try something different in a reef setting and for following the rules of a 5 stone iwagumi style. I also like minimalist scapes so it plays to my likings.

I posted that aquascape because it's an example where someone was "intentionally" using aquascaping principals and a style in a reef setting. My point is that most aquascapes in the reef aquarium fall into either rock walls or interesting rock shapes but lack the application of sound visual arts principals such as focal points, rule of thirds or the golden ratio, dynamic triangles, perspective, scale, etc.

Thank you
[emoji846]

Elwood Dowd · Nov 12, 2018

sp1187 said:
coolest scape I have seen in years

What rock recipe did you use?

Surakan Ch. · Nov 12, 2018

My tank
"Infinity Tank"(2)
Begin..

Surakan Ch. · Nov 12, 2018

Now...

purplereef · Nov 12, 2018

Nice scape Surakan.

vlangel · Nov 12, 2018

2018-10-16_04-47-29 by Dawn Gilson, on Flickr
This is still a work in progress but my tank has 3 different levels. I am hoping as the macros and coral grow that it will look authentic.

Surakan Ch. · Nov 12, 2018

purplereef said:
Nice scape Surakan.

Thank you..

code4 · Nov 12, 2018

I have currently started to rethink how I set my rockwork. Stability is always a must. My next thought is the lowering of stress in my fish. I have noticed that my larger fish seem to like caves with a sandy bottom. And if my tang and regals are happy.........Then I am happy. Anyone else notice this? I do enjoy looking at the awesome things some of you rock artists do. Keep them coming!