JWM
05/06/2016, 10:13 AM
Okay; So I am brand new to this hobby and to this forum :wavehand: . I've been reading about reefing, for what seems like a long time now. I am at the point now where I am beginning to bring everything together while trying to accomplish an 'acceptable' aquascape. Therefore the aquascape is something I am spending more time on then probably is needed. I am trying to get this done right the first time, as I imagine Im going to be stuck with this for a while, as i try to master other challenges in the hobby. Such as actually keeping the fish and water quality.
I am hoping that anyone with any experience can help evaluate my aquascape, comment on my considerations or state what makes a good one. Hopefully, this will help steer me in the right direction for both looks and functionality. And yes, Ive read plenty of other threads on this, but clearly other factors mentioned have slipped my mind. link/ advise what I've missed.
From what I've seen posted on this forum, these things have come into consideration:
1) The rule of thirds: Basically, I am aiming for something pleasing that will draw the eye away from the centre and cause the viewer to look around. And not the unsightly "rock wall". To include negative space.
2) Surface area to place corals: As the aquascape will be around for a while, I want room to try different corals and have the space to grow them out.
3) Substrate: I just prefer the look to bare-bottom tanks. Filtration benefits or not.
4) Live rock for filtration: Enough rock in the tank for biological filtrations, to allow a variety of fish. (I have room in the sump for extra if needed)
5) Minimalist: Few cords in the tank, hiding overflows, hiding power-heads and wave-makers, plenty of fish swimming room.
6) No rock touching the walls: Makes cleaning the tank easy and prevents bumping/ damaging coral when doing so. I also think it will help improve water flow; which brings me to.....
7) Water flow: an aquascape that wont be a detritus trap.
8) Areas of 'high light' and 'low light': cater to different coral needs in regards to lighting.
9) A 'natural look': A tank that looks like it could be a part of a reef. Not a pile of rocks.
10) No egg crate base: The tank was secondhand and scratched on the base anyway, and I want to easily clean the substrate. Also, most people mentioned it would just become a pain in the future.
11) Visually pleasing: self explanatory
12) Nooks and crannies: Areas for fish/ invertebrates to hide, plus assist 'visually pleasing' and 'natural look'. However you do it; provide interesting areas when viewed up-close.
13) Stable: I haven't yet, but i will glue some unstable areas together when I have the design. Acrylic rods seems more work than is needed so I would prefer to avoids rods/ pvc for my first time.
Is there anything I have not considered but should have?
The design that would most likely provide all of these, I was thinking, would be the "2 islands". With one larger island and another smaller beside it. So I have tried to replicate this. However I am particularly struggling with avoiding the 'pile of rocks' look. Please advise.
I do have more live rock.
I will add substrate once hardscape is complete.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3508_zps47frfrrq.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3508_zps47frfrrq.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3511_zpsy0qrkj16.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3511_zpsy0qrkj16.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3514_zpse95rrq9f.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3514_zpse95rrq9f.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3515_zpsdtwqat5j.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3515_zpsdtwqat5j.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3506_zpsghtlaytx.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3506_zpsghtlaytx.jpg.html)
I am hoping that anyone with any experience can help evaluate my aquascape, comment on my considerations or state what makes a good one. Hopefully, this will help steer me in the right direction for both looks and functionality. And yes, Ive read plenty of other threads on this, but clearly other factors mentioned have slipped my mind. link/ advise what I've missed.
From what I've seen posted on this forum, these things have come into consideration:
1) The rule of thirds: Basically, I am aiming for something pleasing that will draw the eye away from the centre and cause the viewer to look around. And not the unsightly "rock wall". To include negative space.
2) Surface area to place corals: As the aquascape will be around for a while, I want room to try different corals and have the space to grow them out.
3) Substrate: I just prefer the look to bare-bottom tanks. Filtration benefits or not.
4) Live rock for filtration: Enough rock in the tank for biological filtrations, to allow a variety of fish. (I have room in the sump for extra if needed)
5) Minimalist: Few cords in the tank, hiding overflows, hiding power-heads and wave-makers, plenty of fish swimming room.
6) No rock touching the walls: Makes cleaning the tank easy and prevents bumping/ damaging coral when doing so. I also think it will help improve water flow; which brings me to.....
7) Water flow: an aquascape that wont be a detritus trap.
8) Areas of 'high light' and 'low light': cater to different coral needs in regards to lighting.
9) A 'natural look': A tank that looks like it could be a part of a reef. Not a pile of rocks.
10) No egg crate base: The tank was secondhand and scratched on the base anyway, and I want to easily clean the substrate. Also, most people mentioned it would just become a pain in the future.
11) Visually pleasing: self explanatory
12) Nooks and crannies: Areas for fish/ invertebrates to hide, plus assist 'visually pleasing' and 'natural look'. However you do it; provide interesting areas when viewed up-close.
13) Stable: I haven't yet, but i will glue some unstable areas together when I have the design. Acrylic rods seems more work than is needed so I would prefer to avoids rods/ pvc for my first time.
Is there anything I have not considered but should have?
The design that would most likely provide all of these, I was thinking, would be the "2 islands". With one larger island and another smaller beside it. So I have tried to replicate this. However I am particularly struggling with avoiding the 'pile of rocks' look. Please advise.
I do have more live rock.
I will add substrate once hardscape is complete.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3508_zps47frfrrq.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3508_zps47frfrrq.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3511_zpsy0qrkj16.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3511_zpsy0qrkj16.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3514_zpse95rrq9f.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3514_zpse95rrq9f.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3515_zpsdtwqat5j.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3515_zpsdtwqat5j.jpg.html)
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee488/jwmar/IMG_3506_zpsghtlaytx.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/jwmar/media/IMG_3506_zpsghtlaytx.jpg.html)