What is The best way to scape for corals?

Reef Breeders · Jul 18, 2012

I upgraded from a 90 gallon reef to a 125 due to lack of space. Well, just months later, my corals are growing into each other. I have a rockwall syle scape, as I though that was the best way to maximize coral space, but now I am not so sure. Any ideas?

ritter6788 · Jul 18, 2012

I like to use the "fruit stand" aquascape. It's not the most appealing or artistic but it maximizes space for corals. I try to mix in caves and hills to make it more 3D and give fish spaces to swim through. I tried the fancy aquascapes but that all goes out the window as I add more corals and have to make room.

wysiwyg · Jul 18, 2012

i would agree with the fruit stand scape especially if it is going to be coral heavy

chort55 · Jul 18, 2012

a 90 to a 125 isnt really a big jump anyways IMO. Scape wise the rockwall probably gives you the most base room for small corals but really without a much bigger upgrade (including front to back upgrade) you really don't gain alot of extra space, especially when you space out larger corals that grow faster then smaller ones. Even going from a 125 to say a 180 probably wont give you the significant increase in room you are looking for.... may I suggest a 6-8'x 30-36" front to back tank.... that should suffice for a while lol

Or your other option is to weed through the corals that you only somewhat like and create more space that way... or have a big frag party and frag it all down and watch it grow back in again while creating more space for a while atleast.

Steelerfan747 · Jul 18, 2012

I agree with above statements of fruit stand. Normally I make the mistake to take rock too high and then find my self limited so I would say keep it minimal still providing caves and crevices and room for growth

Steelerfan747 · Jul 18, 2012

chort55 said:
a 90 to a 125 isnt really a big jump anyways IMO. Scape wise the rockwall probably gives you the most base room for small corals but really without a much bigger upgrade (including front to back upgrade) you really don't gain alot of extra space, especially when you space out larger corals that grow faster then smaller ones. Even going from a 125 to say a 180 probably wont give you the significant increase in room you are looking for.... may I suggest a 6-8'x 30-36" front to back tank.... that should suffice for a while lol

Or your other option is to weed through the corals that you only somewhat like and create more space that way... or have a big frag party and frag it all down and watch it grow back in again while creating more space for a while atleast.

I agree, frag them down. We will all be happy to take them off your hands lol

SPSjunky · Jul 18, 2012

Do you have any shelf peices of rock?maybe adding a few shelf piece's can help spread your collection out a little more granted you have the room for it

Young Frankenstein · Jul 18, 2012

The ability for great water flow, holes to move frags up and down, more coral surface.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/88615-coral-scraper-rock-formation.html

Reef Breeders · Jul 18, 2012

No, I will not frag, LOL I anjoy watching my corals grow into big colonies. Most notably, my plate coral grew above my sunset monti and shaded it out, so I had to move it. I guess planning is the best you can do, lol.

stylaster · Jul 18, 2012

I would do pillars, this way you can place corals 360 degrees around. That's what i did in my chalice tank

Electrobes · Jul 18, 2012

I was thinking the same as stylaster, Pillars offer more surface area than the rock wall. The only real issue is actually viewing the corals that are towards the back. This design is really great for peninsula type tanks, but if you have at least one of the sides view-able, it still works pretty well. You'll at least get the extra room you're looking for, plus as the corals grow out, it's more hiding spots for the fish. Another bonus is water movement.. you get more in terms of water being able to move around a couple pillars as opposed to all the way around a large rock wall.