What should I do for a rockscape?

[ethans_aquatics]

I have an 80 gallon rimless lagoon that I want to do a mixed reef in.
I like the looks of these HSNA rockscapes. I haven't had a saltwater aquarium this big since I was in middleschool, and then I literally just stacked some pieces of live rock on top of eachother, I didn't really care about how the rock looked since I was only interested in the creatures. Now I want it to look good, though.
Should I pay the money and get an HSNA rockscape, or should I try to make one for myself? I'm not really an artist and I'm scared I would mess it up. Any other ideas for what I could do for a rockscape?

 

[ethans_aquatics]

I like the ones that look like this. I want it to look as close to nature as possible.

 

[landlubber]

i agree with the above poster.
A hobbyist can do a lot with a hammer, chisel, a drill and some acrylic rod. Build it outside of your tank and your efforts will show.
The benefit to a structure like BRS built there is the tank bottom won't trap detritus and block flow like the typical rock wall does.

 

[PharmrJohn]

i agree with the above poster.
A hobbyist can do a lot with a hammer, chisel, a drill and some acrylic rod. Build it outside of your tank and your efforts will show.
The benefit to a structure like BRS built there is the tank bottom won't trap detritus and block flow like the typical rock wall does.

And I agree too! I plan on getting a few rocks with a flat surface to act as the base, then using my dead rock to build something really cool. Great thing is, you can say 'I CREATED THAT!'. For ideas, check out

UK Artist James Findley of the Green Machine

 

[jabberwock]

I like the ones that look like this. I want it to look as close to nature as possible.

I don't think that is what "nature" looks like...
If you want authentic, I would go with real ocean live rock. Actually, I would go with real ocean live rock period.

 

[slythy]

I think hsna scapes can be great but I would limit the amount of fish you have because hiding space will be limited.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I don't think that is what "nature" looks like...
If you want authentic, I would go with real ocean live rock. Actually, I would go with real ocean live rock period.

Agreed, to me properly stacked, real reef rock looks way more natural

 

[ethans_aquatics]

Agreed, to me properly stacked, real reef rock looks way more natural

Where can I get real ocean live rock? Thanks for all the replies

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Where can I get real ocean live rock? Thanks for all the replies

I think the day s of " actual reef rock" is done. I'm referring to stuff like Tampa Bay Salt water rock. There's others doing the same thing. Look them up. If you keep looking there is the real stuff around in tank tear downs. My display rock in the picture is old pukani rock from a tank tear down. I purchased TBS live sand for the floor of the display, and TBS live rock I placed in the display refugium. Kinda a hybrid per say, but less than a year later you get What is in the picture.

 

[DangerDave]

You should look at all the great and varying aquascapes that folks here have come up with for ideas and create an aquascape that makes you happy.

 

[iani]

I did mine with marco rock and emarco.
This was when it was first set up a few years ago.

 

[Naekuh]

Made mine from 3 islands...

My Camera skills suck...