Tips for first time aquascape in IM 15g cube

[The Deaf Reefer]

What stand is that in first pic? I have a tank ordered and still need a stand. Like the look of yours.

No idea, sorry... it a stand that my aunt had for some time ... gave it to me when I moved out of my parents place... thought I measured it for the sake of it, perfect fit.. got 1/8" extra all around

 

[ptrusk]

No idea, sorry... it a stand that my aunt had for some time ... gave it to me when I moved out of my parents place... thought I measured it for the sake of it, perfect fit.. got 1/8" extra all around

Nice score!

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Nice score!

Definitely reduce my budget to not having to buy a stand lol

 

[jabberwock]

Love that live rock!

 

[jabberwock]

On the aquascape discussion, you also should decide if you will glue your rocks together. If you decide to do that, I would suggest that you do not make one giant monolithic mass. Make a few reasonably sized sections so you can easily remove them if you need to to get a pest, or catch a fish, or scrub algae off. I did not glue any of my rocks, but my tank is a low boy.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

On the aquascape discussion, you also should decide if you will glue your rocks together. If you decide to do that, I would suggest that you do not make one giant monolithic mass. Make a few reasonably sized sections so you can easily remove them if you need to to get a pest, or catch a fish, or scrub algae off. I did not glue any of my rocks, but my tank is a low boy.

Yeah true good point on that

Arg .. wished someone experienced to just set up the scape lol

Been moving things around lol

That what I want my future tank to have ..the low height, wide surface area.. frag style tank or lagoon

 

[jabberwock]

Yeah true good point on that

Arg .. wished someone experienced to just set up the scape lol

Been moving things around lol

That what I want my future tank to have ..the low height, wide surface area.. frag style tank or lagoon

That is what I did my second time around. IM 25 lagoon. Started with premium live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

Make the scape the way you like it. You are the one who is going to have to look at it all the time! Don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all do that.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

That is what I did my second time around. IM 25 lagoon. Started with premium live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

Make the scape the way you like it. You are the one who is going to have to look at it all the time! Don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all do that.

The 25g lagoon was the one I wanted but it stick out too much

Your rocks set low

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Hove you harnessed the power of the internet and Google searched 'cube nano reef tank'? There are many great images of successful nano cubes that will illuminate how a well thought out scape can showcase soft, zoa, LPS dominated or mixed displays. Pick a tank you like and try to emulate the underlying rock structure. I also agree with others about glueing or using some other product to stabilise the structure. I used AF Stonefix on my Marco and was very happy with the result. Unstable scapes are a nightmare.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Hove you harnessed the power of the internet and Google searched 'cube nano reef tank'? There are many great images of successful nano cubes that will illuminate how a well thought out scape can showcase soft, zoa, LPS dominated or mixed displays. Pick a tank you like and try to emulate the underlying rock structure. I also agree with others about glueing or using some other product to stabilise the structure. I used AF Stonefix on my Marco and was very happy with the result. Unstable scapes are a nightmare.

Yeah I hear ya... it just so many ways of doing it lol ... bunch some rocks in middle, L shape or horseshoe look with the highpoint at one of back corner, just 1 layer of rocks (no stacks)

Also if I have to break the rocks for a scape and didn't work out ...bummer lol

Trying to see the best way possible with the rocks I have and best use of space for corals and fishes that can be happy since I'm limited with a 15g tank

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Personally, I like what you did in post #6 minus the top rock. That top rock seems the weakest link in your chain, too big and uniform in shape. The others are much more interesting.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Personally, I like what you did in post #6 minus the top rock. That top rock seems the weakest link in your chain, too big and uniform in shape. The others are much more interesting.

Only problem about it ... I didn't think at the time is that I want to able to see the opening of the structure from the couch (left side of the tank)

I though that structure would block my view while I'm sitting on the couch

So I recreate it right now by putting the structure on the other side .. that's picture 3 and 4... I can glue some small rocks at the back and create a cave

The piece on the top sooo nice lol .. got a smooth hump (last picture)

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

What is the minimum size hole/cave/hiding spots does nano fishes need to chill?

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Which one u guys think is better? ... the blue are rock pillars to hold the top rock and provide stability

The difference between the two is the front right rock... one is upside down... the 1st picture have another hole to swim through and got like a flat bed for coral or the 2nd picture basically have a hole to swim through if it can and kind of a stair style rock going down for different level of light requirement for different coral

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

What do you think of this?

 

[emmysnewtank]

Looks good. I am about to have to do the same when I setup my IM15...which is sitting in a box. We probably won't get to play around like you though, as we are bringing a bunch of live rock over from another tank with a. few clean dry pieces.

Trying to visualize, but will have to build on the fly. I don't want to deal with cycling a tank, so been prepping a few pieces of rock and a bag of biomedia to bring over.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Looks good. I am about to have to do the same when I setup my IM15...which is sitting in a box. We probably won't get to play around like you though, as we are bringing a bunch of live rock over from another tank with a. few clean dry pieces.

Trying to visualize, but will have to build on the fly. I don't want to deal with cycling a tank, so been prepping a few pieces of rock and a bag of biomedia to bring over.

Oh nice ... live rock are good ... little nervous to get live rock since I ain't experienced enough in case something happen from the live rock

Apparently I had some rockscape too high... I read some people saying 2/3 of the water height max for rock scape to allow coral size to grow... which is 8" max height

So I had to rethink and keep it simpler... I could do that scape or take out the island

 

[ShaunMc]

Been out of hobby for a decade. So take this for what it is worth. Very little. (IM15 later this week). I like the island. Maybe break it to be a bit smaller. But I’d cycle it all.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Been out of hobby for a decade. So take this for what it is worth. Very little. (IM15 later this week). I like the island. Maybe break it to be a bit smaller. But I’d cycle it all.

Oh you coming back in the hobby with your own IM 15g?

Hmm something to consider on breaking it smaller...

Why cycle it all?

 

[ShaunMc]

Oh you coming back in the hobby with your own IM 15g?

Hmm something to consider on breaking it smaller...

Why cycle it all?

Yes. Ran tank from 2006-2011. I also saw the IM15 and will work on it through winter.

you can always glue it later if you want a larger island. I’d try a small cut as you show. But I see now y have some smaller pieces as well.

As for cycle, you can leave some in the back later in case you want to use it. Frag. Etc. so cycle a little more than you might use in the main and leave it in the back.

looks like there are a few IM15 getting started so I’m tagging along.