Please critique my rockscape

[Kyle918]

First attempt at a rockscape for my 75 gallon. :rolleyes:

Please critique me! I am trying to create depth and character. The tank will mainly be viewed from the couch. The 4th picture is about the angle the tank will be viewed from my seat on the couch but a little farther back of course.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo5_zps3a556c86.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo5_zps3a556c86.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo4_zps01f5927e.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo4_zps01f5927e.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo3_zps86cf18a5.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo3_zps86cf18a5.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo2_zps9a44b575.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo2_zps9a44b575.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo1_zps3aa3cb88.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo1_zps3aa3cb88.jpg.html)

[davocean]

It's a bit minimal, and I prefer some type of cave or arch areas for fish to swim through, but it looks cool as minimalist tanks go.
I like using acrylic rods to form a secure and slightly taller structure

[VampOfVegas]

I'd buy some more and make it taller. You can use that Marine 2part epoxy putty (its marine safe) and you can pretty much glue them from tipping over. But the downside is if you have to remove the rock and the top opening isnt big enough.. no bueno.

I'd do some google searches for other peoples setups. I've seen numerous setups like what your trying to accomplish, but they were wider and taller. But I see what you're trying to do.

Some ideas on what it looks like taller.
http://www.bioaquaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/reefscaping01-642x336.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1776/aquascape.jpg

http://www.seahorsesoft.com/75gal/IMG_0598.JPG

[Biotopes]

I love the minimalist scape, I think this looks great! :D Maybe make it a bit taller to give a more area to place coral, macroalgae, and add biological filtration.

[TDM70]

You should get some more rock, the fish like some places to hid and swim through, but its a good start!

[thegrun]

It looks nice, but a little more vertical height on the left side would make it better (to me). If you like it as is your vote is the only one to be concerned about.

[Shane C.]

Is it going to be a reef tank? If its fish only, what types of fish? Either way, what you have to remember when stacking the rock is detritus will gather in every crack and crevice in your tank. If rocks are stacked like legos, it will collect in between them and be impossible to remove. When stacking rock, I always try and create as few contact points as possible with as much room between the rocks for water to flow as possible. Keeps the tank from having dead spots and keeps the detritus in areas that can be accessed.

Also, I dont like the little rock in the front middle. Lol (JK).

[Molly1414]

Need it to be taller to fit the size of you tank. Also an arch swim through or some overhangs for the fish are very interesting.

[albano]

Good start... what type corals will be growing on top of rocks? .... Would be good idea to drill rocks and install acrylic 'legs' so that rocks do not sit on bottom panel.

[Kyle918]

I will buy more rock. Originally I bought this rock for a 55 gallon but now I have a 75...

Great tips everyone! I really do appreciate it.

Shane, excellent tip. I didn't think of that. Yes it will be in reef once things get going...this is my first salt water tank and by far my largest tank...my largest so far is a 6 gallon fresh water tank. I will buy a few more pounds of rock tomorrow and see where I end up. I will create more homes and hiding spots for my fish in the process. I also have no idea what I am doing with that little rock haha. Truthfully it was left over so I just plopped it there lol

thegrun, I agree but first I want to make the right side a bit higher. I "think" I want the negative space above the left side. :)

I think I will also use acrylic rods as davocean mentioned. How did you go about this? Just use a drill bit and feed it through?

Here are two more pics. I can only work with what I have for tonight. I re-situated the right side a little more to make a little arch and make the top most rock jut out to the left a bit.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo1_zpsc0580d5c.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo1_zpsc0580d5c.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo2_zps2d276cf7.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo2_zps2d276cf7.jpg.html)

[davocean]

This might give some ideas.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1807317&highlight=show+me+your+pillars

[foundnemo11]

I like it. I'd add a little more to the big pile in front so there is a hole( cave ( for fish to hide in and swim in.

I have the two island look and like it a lot.

[snorvich]

I prefer minimalist aquascaping so yours is very pleasing to me. But YOU are the one that must be happy.

[x1C0DE1x]

I like making depth in mine. I have 2 arches one of them goes towards the back of the tank and then is connected by an overhang that I created and it then causes a small sandy open area in the front of it. I suggest making something unique, make caves and arches, over hangs, and don't just line the rocks straight make them curve around the tank or be off set giving the aquarium a sense of depth.

[Kyle918]

Good start... what type corals will be growing on top of rocks? .... Would be good idea to drill rocks and install acrylic 'legs' so that rocks do not sit on bottom panel.

I will be starting with softies and LPS.

[Kyle918]

I decided to focus on the larger right side this morning. I am heading out shortly to get more rock to finish the left right.

I created two archways that I really like. What do you guys think? The rock will rise up to 15 inches. The water surface is 19.5 inches. I left space on the sides and back to allow for better water circulation and cleaning the glass.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo4_zps3551fb87.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo4_zps3551fb87.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo3_zpsf07c83f3.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo3_zpsf07c83f3.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo2_zps44f14efe.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo2_zps44f14efe.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo1_zps1882c36b.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo1_zps1882c36b.jpg.html)

[4bruceinc]

I agree with snorvich. I love the minimalist look too and thought you were spot on with your first attempt.

[CReyes350]

As a fellow minimalist I have to say that I love the look you are going for but later on we may realize that fish sometimes need caves and stuff to dart in to when being chased by other fish or simply startled when the lights come on. I would definitely go for the island look but would add more girth to each island. That amount of rock that you have there is good enough for one island IMO.

I am currently in the process of adding more “dry” rock to my established tank because of this very reason. :beer:

[johnpasternak]

I like the first attempt
What's your dish load going In

[benjc]

I like it. Only suggestion is to keep the rocks a couple inches from the glass; enough space to allow a magfloat or scraper by (be sure to take into account future coral growth).

[Kyle918]

As a fellow minimalist I have to say that I love the look you are going for but later on we may realize that fish sometimes need caves and stuff to dart in to when being chased by other fish or simply startled when the lights come on. I would definitely go for the island look but would add more girth to each island. That amount of rock that you have there is good enough for one island IMO.

I am currently in the process of adding more “dry” rock to my established tank because of this very reason. :beer:

I do love my first attempt but I feel that I really should have at least the one far right arch. I just need to find a good mix of what the fish need and what I want it to look like aesthetic wise. I want to avoid rearranging rocks once I add my livestock.

I like the first attempt
What's your dish load going In

Thank you. Right now I just have two clownfish that are about a 1.5 inches each that will be the first two fish for this tank.

Here is one of them.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/DSC_0188_zpsa36ed77f.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/DSC_0188_zpsa36ed77f.jpg.html)

I like it. Only suggestion is to keep the rocks a couple inches from the glass; enough space to allow a magfloat or scraper by (be sure to take into account future coral growth).

I did think of that but I need to remember to check the actual spacing with the magfloat. The thought didn't even cross my mind oddly to take into consideration the growth of the coral making that distance less over time. Thank you.

Unfortunately, the LFS that I saw the reef rock at sells it by the box, not by the pound. I don't need $75 more worth of rock so I will just make an order online for a few pounds. I need a few other things online anyway so I will just wait a few days for the delivery.

[Kyle918]

I got the rock and sand in the tank a few days ago. Here are some pictures. A few with the UV lights on and one with them off. I still have more rock to add to the left side. I had to order the reef rock so it will be a few more days. Two 15 lbs bags of sand broke open during transit so I have to wait on another shipment from premium aquatics but so far so good.

I have started the nitrogen cycle Wednesday. I added about a tablespoon of pure ammonia from Ace Hardware and dosed 200mL of Bio-Spira since I've been waiting long enough for this :lol: Tested ammonia right after and showed 8ppm. The results of the water test using API on Friday were as follows:

79.5F
1.025 SG

pH 8.0
(The following were all zero just before adding ammonia on Wednesday)
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite 2ppm
Nitrate 40ppm

It is underway!! :dance:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo1_zpsceeb074c.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo1_zpsceeb074c.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo3_zps4c57e414.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo3_zps4c57e414.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y387/Kyle_Browne/photo2_zps51e863a9.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Kyle_Browne/media/photo2_zps51e863a9.jpg.html)

[CoralBeauty13]

Love it. I would touch a thing.

[62SVT]

I agree with CoralBeauty13, tank looks good the way it is

This is my setup, though it might not have enough LR for some.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=8697&pictureid=59664


Pic was taken during a water change and before I covered the back glass.

[Kyle918]

Really? I am excited to hear that. I still think it could use a little more sand though. Towards the back you can see it is lacking and in one spot I can see the pvc the rock is sitting on. I can't wait to see my tank after a few months as things start to grow in and take hold.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.