Trends in aquascaping

[Sink_or_Swim]

Some choices are tank shape driven. My 90 with a center overflow was difficult. I wanted some height but there isn't a lot of room front to back, particularly in front of the overflow partition. I chose to build a high but open structure.

I really like this! I have a center overflow as well and I've been thinking of rescaping as I'm not quite happy with my current scape. Might have to steal this idea.

 

[hbash]

Here’s my NSA no sand 220

 

[atoll]

Do what pleases you not what pleases others (trends)

I disagree, reefscape to what pleases your fish. That's what I have been doing for nearly 40 years. That's not to say you cant build a pleasing reefscape but in my tanks the fish come first.

 

[paul barker]

my tank is a work in progress but I have caves a places for fish to hide or sleep I have be working on the tank for all most two years from rock work to water flow I have no time line so I just going to take my time

 

[damsels are not mean]

I disagree, reefscape to what pleases your fish. That's what I have been doing for nearly 40 years. That's not to say you cant build a pleasing reefscape but in my tanks the fish come first.

I think any scape that is inspired by something... A photo, a place you have been, a goal (like creating habitat for a certain species or group), a showcase for a certain kind of coral, etc. will be a good scape. I am a fan of the create habitat for the fish you want approach as it creates something that looks cohesive and hopefully encourages natural behavior from your livestock.

 

[Zuma]

How about a NASA aquascape? Something spaceship like?

 

[iquitreef]

Looks great!!

 

[jmatt]

I disagree, reefscape to what pleases your fish. That's what I have been doing for nearly 40 years. That's not to say you cant build a pleasing reefscape but in my tanks the fish come first.

I like that readout discreetly tucked underneath... what is that?

 

[atoll]

I like that readout discreetly tucked underneath... what is that?

My aquarium reefscape, click on it

 

[jmatt]

My aquarium reefscape, click on it

Mmm, not sure I understand the response. What is this digital panel? Is it a part of some controller system? It's obviously a temperature display.

 

[rtparty]

Corals are your aquascape, not the rock. People spend way too much time and money making rocks look pretty and it has almost zero benefit in the end.

Make sure there is hiding room for your fish and places to place coral to. That's it

 

[jmatt]

Corals are your aquascape, not the rock. People spend way too much time and money making rocks look pretty and it has almost zero benefit in the end.

Make sure there is hiding room for your fish and places to place coral to. That's it

For people new to the hobby, "in the end" could be many years from now and the rocks will dominate for a while. There's no harm in trying to make everything as good as it can be.

When you set up your tank, did you just throw the rocks in randomly with a "eh, whatever" or did you want to create caves and arches etc for the fish to enjoy, as well as the tank viewers? I'm guessing you put a little thought into it. But I could be wrong.

 

[rtparty]

For people new to the hobby, "in the end" could be many years from now and the rocks will dominate for a while. There's no harm in trying to make everything as good as it can be.

When you set up your tank, did you just throw the rocks in randomly with a "eh, whatever" or did you want to create caves and arches etc for the fish to enjoy, as well as the tank viewers? I'm guessing you put a little thought into it. But I could be wrong.

My current rock setup in my build thread took less than 30 minutes to put together.

Been at this 17 years and done many tank both ways. Spending hours and hours trying to get it "just right" is pointless in the end IME.

Like I specifically said, make sure the fish have some hiding spots (caves, overhangs, arch, etc) and you're good to go. It doesn't take weeks of busting up rock just to glue them back together to get it right.

Corals are your aquascape. Use them to create shape and dimension.

 

[SunnyX]

Over 25+ years, I have gone from a rock wall, to islands and finally to more minimalist and negative space type reefs.

The negative space requires some thought but if considerations are made it can be done in little time and without special tools. My latest design was setup in about 30 minutes and did not require any glue or epoxy.

This open setup allows for optimal flow, space for coral growth and room for the fish to stretch their fins. There are also many caves for the fish to sleep in after dark.

At the end of the day there is no wrong way in designing your reef. Everyone is going after something a bit different than the next reefer.



The new setup (three weeks old today)

Below you will find pictures of my setups over the years:

 

[damsels are not mean]

Over 25+ years, I have gone from a rock wall, to islands and finally to more minimalist and negative space type reefs.

The negative space requires some thought but if considerations are made it can be done in little time and without special tools. My latest design was setup in about 30 minutes and did not require any glue or epoxy.

This open setup allows for optimal flow, space for coral growth and room for the fish to stretch their fins. There are also many caves for the fish to sleep in after dark.

At the end of the day there is no wrong way in designing your reef. Everyone is going after something a bit different than the next reefer.



The new setup (three weeks old today)

Below you will find pictures of my setups over the years:

I like these and I like that you actually put in caves and not hoops for the fish. I see so many NSA/minimalist tanks where there is nowhere for fish to actually hide and it always stresses them out and exacerbates aggression issues.

 

[atoll]

Mmm, not sure I understand the response. What is this digital panel? Is it a part of some controller system? It's obviously a temperature display.

Harrr right. It's a D-D temperature controller

 

[jmatt]

Over 25+ years, I have gone from a rock wall, to islands and finally to more minimalist and negative space type reefs.

The negative space requires some thought but if considerations are made it can be done in little time and without special tools. My latest design was setup in about 30 minutes and did not require any glue or epoxy.

First, let me just say that the tanks are all stunning -- but that three-island NSA arrangement is a testament to the design concept. Wow!

Now, when you say no adhesive, I assume you mean for the rock arrangements. But you did affix the corals with a glue of some sort, yes?

 

[SunnyX]

First, let me just say that the tanks are all stunning -- but that three-island NSA arrangement is a testament to the design concept. Wow!

Now, when you say no adhesive, I assume you mean for the rock arrangements. But you did affix the corals with a glue of some sort, yes?

Thank you.

I use no adhesives. If the coral frag does not naturally fit into the nook or rock work i will find another location that does work. It’s anecdotal, but I have had much better growth using this method. I find that the corals attach to surfaces and base out much better/quicker when there is no adhesive involved.

Generally, if possible, I will snap a frag off the plug to place it in it final location or purchase said coral fresh cut. I do like placing SPS frags in between rock work, allowing for it to naturally bind the two or three stones.

 

[Queenofreef]

Would love to see more bonsai style scapes as it's my absolute favorite style

 

[cpschult]

Over 25+ years, I have gone from a rock wall, to islands and finally to more minimalist and negative space type reefs.

The negative space requires some thought but if considerations are made it can be done in little time and without special tools. My latest design was setup in about 30 minutes and did not require any glue or epoxy.

This open setup allows for optimal flow, space for coral growth and room for the fish to stretch their fins. There are also many caves for the fish to sleep in after dark.

At the end of the day there is no wrong way in designing your reef. Everyone is going after something a bit different than the next reefer.



The new setup (three weeks old today)

Below you will find pictures of my setups over the years:

Sunny, what size is your new set up? It's gorgeous!