How'd I do (Constructive criticism please) [Archive]

Everyones Hero

12/10/2008, 02:03 PM

Not bad. You might want to try to make it so there are more caves. That'll give the fish somewhere to hide & will allow flow through the rocks, helping prevent dead spots.

As for pics: If you have them hosted somewhere like photobucket just copy the link & put in *img*<photo url>*/img* Just substitute the * * for [ ]

texhorns98

12/10/2008, 02:06 PM

For a FOWLR, I think it looks pretty good, actually. Although, you may want to try and open up a few swim throughs or caves for hiding. It's hard to tell even with such a large picture if there are areas large enough. When you decide to get corals, you may need to spread out a little and lose a little of the rock. One last thing, the coral skeletons you have in there, are you OK with them getting covered in coraline? It'll be a PITA to keep pulling them our and scrubbing them!

Aquascaping is one of the hardest parts for me. I have something in my mind, but trying to get it there proves to be quite difficult sometimes!

serolis7

12/10/2008, 02:06 PM

I like the Christmas lights. I noticed you have a lot of rubble rock. You might was to try to sculp your rock. Check out the threat on bonsai inspired tanks.

Paul B

12/10/2008, 02:13 PM

ltindle, constructively, I don't like it. Thats not to say it is bad, it has to be what you like but logistically, it will be a nightmare as it ages and you try to do any maintenance. It needs (IMO of course) to be raised as much as possable off the sand.
You need flow behind and under rocks which I know is difficult with the smaller odd size pieces of rock you have.
I wrote an article about 15 years ago about making something out of those rocks. Ijust googled my name and see it is all over the web so here is a link to it.
Good luck and have fun.
Paul

http://diy-doityourself.blogspot.com/2007/05/making-homemade-conglomerate-reef-rocks.html

texhorns98

12/10/2008, 02:22 PM

Paul, in your opinion do you need flow under all your rocks? Reason I'm asking is that I have one BIG piece (around 30lbs). Obviously, it has a decent footprint and does not have any flow underneath it. It currently sits on top of the sand, so I suppose there's SOMETHING going under it...but I was thinking about "wiggling" it down to the glass so I can get a jawfish and he won't tunnel under it and crush himself. Don't meant to hijack the thread, but it seemed as good a place as any to ask the question.

CoRPS

12/10/2008, 02:26 PM

Respectfully, I don't like it either. I do however, like that one side is higher then the other. If you're set on just using the small pieces of rock what I suggest you do is try and make a little "bay" out of the rocks. Kind of shape it into a U. Not sure if this is making any sense.

Edit: Also realize it's not what we like, it's what YOU like. You're the one who is going to be staring at it every day!

texhorns98

12/10/2008, 02:26 PM

Also, do you think cement would work best, or could you use reef epoxy (Aquamend) to hold rocks together?

CoRPS

12/10/2008, 02:27 PM

You could use Aquamend but I can only imagine how many tubes she (judging by your avatar) will have to go through.

Michael

12/10/2008, 02:31 PM

tank looks great actually, and glad you worked out how to post, as paul mentioned maintenance could be awkward but i like the basic look of the tank, looks a little crammed but overall i think its pretty nice for the first attemp, im always swapping rock about and messing with the aquascape

texhorns98

12/10/2008, 02:34 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13915208#post13915208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CoRPS
You could use Aquamend but I can only imagine how many tubes she (judging by your avatar) will have to go through.

OH, not for her case...I have a few pieces of this fingery looking rock that it very light weight and tough to keep balanced. Thought I might figure a good arrangement and make it permanent! :)

CoRPS

12/10/2008, 02:35 PM

yeah, aquamend will work in your case.

Paul B

12/10/2008, 02:41 PM

Paul, in your opinion do you need flow under all your rocks? Reason I'm asking is that I have one BIG piece (around 30lbs). Obviously, it has a decent footprint and does not have any flow underneath it

I think that would be a terrible idea. Get that 30lb rock off the sand, bad idea. Same thing about pushing it down to the glass.
Put some smaller rocks under it or build something but, yes, you should have circulation around everything as much as possable.
I can guarantee you that in two years that pile will give you all sorts of problems and you will be taking it apart. Those small spaces between the rock have a tendency to fill in.
Have fun.
Paul

Rae C.

12/10/2008, 03:04 PM

ltindle, have you checked out Raen's thread? She works ER as well. She has an awesome thread!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1489654

texhorns98

12/10/2008, 03:22 PM

OK Paul,

Let me see if I understand you. I have a 30 lb rock and it's dimensions (footprint wise) are around 18 inches long X 8-10 inches wide (it's slanted a little). Are you saying I need to put something up under that rock? WOW...that will be a MAJOR PITA!! If I'm going to do that, do I need clearance above the substrate? Maybe I can just cut a few PVC "towers" to set the rock on top of.

As far as the other pieces I'm looking to bind together...imagine a conglomerate of staghorn pieces. I plan on sitcking plugs of LPS into the little holes created by the fingers on the rock. Here's a pic, if I could make it bigger, I would...but I can't figure that out!

texhorns98

12/10/2008, 03:23 PM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/203625IMG_1225.jpg

The three pieces I want to connect are on the left

Paul B

12/10/2008, 04:51 PM

Let me see if I understand you. I have a 30 lb rock and it's dimensions (footprint wise) are around 18 inches long X 8-10 inches wide (it's slanted a little). Are you saying I need to put something up under that rock? WOW...that will be a MAJOR PITA!! If I'm going to do that, do I need clearance above the substrate? Maybe I can just cut a few PVC "towers" to set the rock on top of.

Yes, that is correct. Get that 30lb rock off the substrait, put rocks, PVC or your shoes under it. It will also look better if you do it correctly, I also have large rocks and none of them are on the substrait.

ltindle

12/10/2008, 05:21 PM

actually its probably hard to tell but there are tons of caves and the fish can swim thru the to back and out. I appreciate everyone's input

Chris&Mel

12/10/2008, 06:58 PM

On a side note, I like your Christmas lights, I would get shot by hubby If I put them on ours. ( thought about it )lol

bryman

12/10/2008, 11:58 PM

I think it looks very nice, with a lot of different textures. One thing you might try doing is building some higher towers on one or both of the sides by taking some of the bulk out of the middle. But it is all personal preference of course.

johnny313

12/11/2008, 01:06 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13916412#post13916412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ltindle
actually its probably hard to tell but there are tons of caves and the fish can swim thru the to back and out. I appreciate everyone's input

I just sent you a PM

johnny313

12/11/2008, 01:16 AM

i went from this....
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/johnny505/IMG_0947-1.jpg

to this...
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f59/johnny505/IMG_1056.jpg

Paul B

12/11/2008, 05:25 AM

Much better, I wish I was a fish in there

ltindle

12/11/2008, 07:46 AM

Again thank you everyone for your opinions, it is much appreciated.

ltindle

12/11/2008, 07:46 AM

Again thank you everyone for your opinions, it is much appreciated.

UhOhWhatsleakin

12/11/2008, 08:24 AM

I agree.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13915189#post13915189 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CoRPS
Respectfully, I don't like it either. I do however, like that one side is higher then the other. If you're set on just using the small pieces of rock what I suggest you do is try and make a little "bay" out of the rocks. Kind of shape it into a U. Not sure if this is making any sense.

Edit: Also realize it's not what we like, it's what YOU like. You're the one who is going to be staring at it every day!

Rae C.

12/11/2008, 11:50 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13919575#post13919575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
Much better, I wish I was a fish in there

Every fish has a wish not to end up on a dish.