To float, or not to float?

[Traviitrav]

I have a ProStar 230 gallon tank I have been slowly putting together, still dry, and I have been debating since starting the project how I want my aquascape to look. The goal for my tank is a mix reef build, heavy on the LPS side since I like to see a lot of flow and motion in tanks. Like most, I assume, I have grown very fond of the "floating" aquascape look in tanks. My question is, would it be something that would work well for a tank that size or are the "floating" reef scapes good for mostly nano sized tanks? Does anyone have one? What are the pros and cons to these?

If it comes to be that the "floating" look isn't the best for my tank, what are some other design ideas others would like to share? This is my first true aquascape build so the more advice the better! My dimensions for the tank are 72x26x60 if anyone is curious.

 

[MnFish1]

What might be an idea is drawing out what you're thinking? IMHO - more open looks better than a solid wall. Good luck with the design

 

[Wyvern]

I setup an island in the middle of the tank since I can see the side across the house.

Plus, with the rocks centered, nothing can hide like aptasia and fish can't get stuck and die and poisen the tank.

My tank is new and has uglies and I'm a day away from weekly WC and cleaning, so I apologize.

 

[Traviitrav]

What might be an idea is drawing out what you're thinking? IMHO - more open looks better than a solid wall. Good luck with the design

Yeah I kept the plywood board thats the same size as the tank for scale/building reference

 

[Traviitrav]

I setup an island in the middle of the tank since I can see the side across the house.

Plus, with the rocks centered, nothing can hide like aptasia and fish can't get stuck and die and poisen the tank.

My tank is new and has uglies and I'm a day away from weekly WC and cleaning, so I apologize.

I did think about an island, maybe a decent size tree in the center for some height.

 

[MnFish1]

Yeah I kept the plywood board thats the same size as the tank for scale/building reference

I meant could you put a picture of your proposed design here like a drawing - so we could see what you're planning?

 

[MnFish1]

I did think about an island, maybe a decent size tree in the center for some height.

BTW - if you look at my build thread pictures - I have basically 2 pieces of table corals (they are about 1.5 feet in diameter each) - and have a base maybe 4 inches in diameter - they look kind of like mushrooms. I have all of my other rocks, etc - sitting on them - with a bridge between the two sides (thats covered with GSP by design). Is that the type of look you're looking for?

 

[Traviitrav]

I meant could you put a picture of your proposed design here like a drawing - so we could see what you're planning?

Something on the same feel as this, but on a larger scale obviously.

 

[Gtinnel]

I've never done a floating aquascape but that seems like a lot of weight somehow hanging off of the back glass. I've only seen them on smaller tanks than yours, but idk it may be possible for a tank your size.

They do look cool and it makes it easy to prevent detritus from collecting under the rocks, but ultimately I prefer the more classic look personally.

 

[Traviitrav]

I've never done a floating aquascape but that seems like a lot of weight somehow hanging off of the back glass. I've only seen them on smaller tanks than yours, but idk it may be possible for a tank your size.

They do look cool and it makes it easy to prevent detritus from collecting under the rocks, but ultimately I prefer the more classic look personally.

I fear the same thing for the glass. I've done some research on using plexiglass to counterbalance the weight issue, but again, all the videos I find on these tips are them working on a 10-20 gallon tank with a couple decent sized clusters. Another thing a local reefer pointed out to me was to be more careful of deadzones in the water if I attach it to the wall since no powerheads could put flow behind any of the rocks to get underneath it.

 

[Gtinnel]

I fear the same thing for the glass. I've done some research on using plexiglass to counterbalance the weight issue, but again, all the videos I find on these tips are them working on a 10-20 gallon tank with a couple decent sized clusters. Another thing a local reefer pointed out to me was to be more careful of deadzones in the water if I attach it to the wall since no powerheads could put flow behind any of the rocks to get underneath it.

With the dead zones in the back you could at least hit them with a lot of flow to remove any detritus without worrying too much about moving a sand bed. Even if it were only for a short time each day and then back to normal flow.
Part of me thinks that since bigger tanks use thicker glass you would be okay. Problem is if that is wrong it could be an expensive messy mistake.

 

[Traviitrav]

With the dead zones in the back you could at least hit them with a lot of flow to remove any detritus without worrying too much about moving a sand bed. Even if it were only for a short time each day and then back to normal flow.
Part of me thinks that since bigger tanks use thicker glass you would be okay. Problem is if that is wrong it could be an expensive messy mistake.

Only thing I can think of to solve the issue on weight would be having footers on the sides and center to act as columns - not so floating at that point but it would save me stressing about the glass. A thought I had as well was leaving gaps in the shelf of my floating scape so waterflow would seep through and go to and from the bottom and top. A cool idea seeing the fish swim through the shelf to get where ever they wanted to go.

 

[LuizW13]

What if you did a mixed of a floating shelf rock and traditional scape? Like, have maybe a few small sections on the back wall and some other NSA-type of scapes on the sand?

You can buy frag racks that look like rocks (Tunze/ Reef Rax) that have water-proof magnets.

 

[MnFish1]

Something on the same feel as this, but on a larger scale obviously.

Now THAT is interesting. !!!!!! I really like that

 

[MnFish1]

I fear the same thing for the glass. I've done some research on using plexiglass to counterbalance the weight issue, but again, all the videos I find on these tips are them working on a 10-20 gallon tank with a couple decent sized clusters. Another thing a local reefer pointed out to me was to be more careful of deadzones in the water if I attach it to the wall since no powerheads could put flow behind any of the rocks to get underneath it.

You can also mount the rock to an epoxy-coated wood - thus there would be no weight on the glass at all.

 

[Traviitrav]

What if you did a mixed of a floating shelf rock and traditional scape? Like, have maybe a few small sections on the back wall and some other NSA-type of scapes on the sand?

You can buy frag racks that look like rocks (Tunze/ Reef Rax) that have water-proof magnets.

That’s a good thought! Could look nice seeing the reef climbing up the back

 

[Double monti 61]

I follow my mind and decide how I would like my tank to look like but minor changes do occur even if it is not intentional so go for what you like and do not let the popular opinion be your guide

 

[Traviitrav]

You can also mount the rock to an epoxy-coated wood - thus there would be no weight on the glass at all.

Why have I never thought of this?

 

[Traviitrav]

I follow my mind and decide how I would like my tank to look like but minor changes do occur even if it is not intentional so go for what you like and do not let the popular opinion be your guide

I do like the separation look too!!

 

[dvgyfresh]

Yes to floating I think it would be perfect for a stingray tank. You could always use a very dense rock as a base then use glue / shelf rock to make a Walmart version of floating lol