View Full Version : Aquascaping 101
2fishy
09/28/2006, 04:59 PM
Well, only because I haven't seen this anywhere, and I am hoping that all of you are better at it then me. I thought I would start a thread for aquascaping. As you may have read in any post that I have done, I don't like mine and would like to see how others have done theirs. So, does anyone have a picture of their aquascaping that they would like to share, so all of us who are absolutely terrible assuming I am not the only one at aquascaping can get some ideas from. It would be awesome if you had before corals and after corals.:D
grinch77
09/28/2006, 10:09 PM
here is when i first had got the tank.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/grinch77/DSCF1659.jpg
and this is now
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/grinch77/DSCF1790-1.jpg
Craig Lambert
09/28/2006, 11:17 PM
from my start-up:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/186623_days_old-med.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/18662June_Pic_s-med.jpg
artnsx
09/28/2006, 11:33 PM
My tank is about 3 months old. I don't have much coral but i have a decent amount of live rock. I think the only tip i have to offer about scaping is CAVES . Build as many as you can while keeping the rock stable with whatever you can: epoxy, rods, zip ties, or just gravity and juxtaposition.
I rescaped my tank from being more or less a pile of rock, and built a few caves. Creates more shadows, fish like swimming through them, and its just more interesting in my opinion.
BEFORE
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/4/9/8/9/webimg/21796943_o.jpg
AFTERS
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/4/9/8/9/webimg/21796950_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/4/9/8/9/webimg/21796956_o.jpg
artnsx
09/28/2006, 11:35 PM
craig the size of that anemone is ridiculous...... i want it.
Craig Lambert
09/28/2006, 11:37 PM
Here's the "after" shot
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/18662June_Pic_s-med.jpg
Craig Lambert
09/28/2006, 11:43 PM
artnsx,
That guy went into the tank 9 months ago, made a short relo on day two, and has never moved since. The clowns took to it in less than a week.
kelled2
09/29/2006, 04:42 AM
The key to aquascape is to give it depth and height. Do not just build a pile of rock have some of the rock come forward in to the tank and have some caves for the fish to swim through. This what I did on my initial set up.
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/kelled2/
rick s
09/29/2006, 05:11 AM
Here is a pic before my corals really took off-so you can see the rockwork.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/491582005-12-14-800.jpg
Hey Rick, can you post a pic of what it looks like now? It looked great in the photo.
Trigeek
09/29/2006, 05:30 AM
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/pspraguept/IMG_0615.jpg
Here's a shot of my new 90g. Put everything in 12 days ago.
Great tank rick s! Did you use pvc as a frame for those arches?
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f350/WhiteCharlie/tank1.jpg
still working on it....
2fishy
09/29/2006, 06:57 AM
Wow! Those are awesome tanks!:D I really like the amount of caves that you all have! I only have 30 lbs in a 55 gallon, so the one thing that I noticed is that I would probably need to add more live rock if I wanted to add more fish because it doesn't leave a lot of options for coral space and fish territories the way it is layed out now. Does anyone know if it is hard to change your rock formation once you have applied epoxy?
MJAnderson
09/29/2006, 07:48 AM
Artie,
I have a similiar setup and I went with a cave-ish look as well. It's interesting because my crabs all end up hanging upside between the rocks and caves. I've added a few rocks since this, mostly to cover the black overflow. Bowfronts are hard because of the depth issues on the sides.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/12612670days.jpg
ACBlinky
09/29/2006, 08:06 AM
I agree that depth and variations in height are what you want. I've tried everything from a rockpile, a symmetrical arrangement with a centre cave, and a rock wall, and was never happy. I think asymmetry is actually more pleasing to the eye. I read something about aquascaping that said to focus more on overall shape, and let the caves take care of themselves -- it works! I stopped trying so hard and just built a shape I found pleasing, and made an effort to include open space in the design. I'm very happy with the result and the fish seem to like it too. There are loads of little caves, overhangs, as well as smaller nooks and crannies.
Here's my 65g (this was taken a while ago, just after re-scaping). Ignore the sickly corals, I like to buy damaged stock and see it recover, so they're not all at their best in these shots ;)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/65g%20reef%20sand/P9120007Medium.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/65g%20reef%20sand/P9120050Medium.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/65g%20reef%20sand/P9120045Medium.jpg
druce
09/29/2006, 08:48 AM
here's version 3 of my tank
prolly keep it this way
http://web.mac.com/matthew.hillyer/iWeb/Site/Tank%20Photo%20Album_files/100_8755.jpg
Kiel'thalin
09/29/2006, 08:55 AM
Here is my recent revision, I removed my 1.5" sandbed 5 days ago:
http://home.mchsi.com/~liztara/BBTank.JPG
rick s
09/29/2006, 09:58 AM
Avi, This was May 2006. I'll try to shoot an updated pic soon.
Trigeek, Believe it or not, for the first year, it all simply sat there. No pins, no epoxy. I'm sure like everyone else, I had spent a ridiculous amount of time repositioning rocks until I had them where they "locked" together on their own. After the corals started growing and I was starting to prune some of them, I epoxied the upper rocks. Deltec epoxy.
Thanks for the kind words. I really enjoy the tank!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/49158IMG_2272a.jpg
drummereef
09/29/2006, 11:25 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8241454#post8241454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2fishy
Well, only because I haven't seen this anywhere, and I am hoping that all of you are better at it then me. I thought I would start a thread for aquascaping. As you may have read in any post that I have done, I don't like mine and would like to see how others have done theirs. So, does anyone have a picture of their aquascaping that they would like to share, so all of us who are absolutely terrible assuming I am not the only one at aquascaping can get some ideas from. It would be awesome if you had before corals and after corals.:D
Check out www.oregonreef.com for some crazy aquascaping. His tank is unreal. :D
divecj5
09/29/2006, 11:34 AM
Great aquascaping and I'm getting some good ideas as well.
I have been to the Oregon Reef site before but forgot about it. All I can say is oh my god. That is just ridiculous. 14 400 watt MHs. I can only imagine what his light and water bill is :)
Liquid Hobby
09/29/2006, 11:59 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8246260#post8246260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Check out www.oregonreef.com for some crazy aquascaping. His tank is unreal. :D
That's just not fair! :-)
I would live to be able create that depth of field, but with a 40G breeder, it's just not possible...
I'm actually going to try to create 2 islands, one tall and and one short. Well see....
divecj5
09/29/2006, 12:02 PM
Not too get off subject but what does he do if he ever has to sell the place? I guess you would have to put in the description "6 br, 4 1/2 bath, 800 gallon empty tank :)
That sounds great about the island idea. I am still trying to get that going in my 55. Right now I have a large pile on the left and a small island that is going to be my zoa garden on the right.
divecj5
09/29/2006, 12:03 PM
http://i.pbase.com/g5/01/405501/2/67565027.7LeUyLhi.jpg
2fishy
09/29/2006, 12:32 PM
I have been to that website also but never looked at the aquascaping section! That is too awesome! Well, you know who has the BIG bucks by the aquarium he keeps and the lighting he uses! J/K!:D But I bet you he has a BIG generator for backup! You all have just the best aquariums!:thumbsup:
Now here is a picture of mine and you will see why I am trying to come up with ideas. I really don't like the look of the sargassum but a lot of critters live in there. It is slowly thinning out since I added an emerald crab. I definately know I should probably have more live rock, but my husband likes more swimming room. He wasn't interested in an aquarium at first but now is slowly getting more interested. You will catch him every now and then, looking for different things and seems to like to feed the fish while I am at work. I am leaning towards a blue background now, but we will see.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/2fishy_2006/100_1069.jpg
2fishy
09/29/2006, 12:35 PM
I also need to spend more time in the photo thread I think. That or cut down on coffee because my photo ability really needs some work! I would like to think it is just the camera but I hope not!:D
grouper25
09/29/2006, 09:49 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8245709#post8245709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rick s
Avi, This was May 2006. I'll try to shoot an updated pic soon.
Trigeek, Believe it or not, for the first year, it all simply sat there. No pins, no epoxy. I'm sure like everyone else, I had spent a ridiculous amount of time repositioning rocks until I had them where they "locked" together on their own. After the corals started growing and I was starting to prune some of them, I epoxied the upper rocks. Deltec epoxy.
Thanks for the kind words. I really enjoy the tank!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/49158IMG_2272a.jpg
What a great tank. Great arches,I am so jealous
DriftRtist
09/29/2006, 10:27 PM
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l292/driftrtist/IMG_0593.jpg
For people who like BB tanks
2fishy
10/01/2006, 12:00 PM
That BB tank looks awesome! Is the bottom of the tank painted? Very clean!:D
Nuuze
10/01/2006, 02:23 PM
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Front.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Front2.jpg
dwdowney
10/01/2006, 05:02 PM
Rick S-
I love your tank. I may take my black background off of my tank because of your tank and replace it with blue. What lights/ bulbs are you running?
rick s
10/01/2006, 08:33 PM
Thanks dwdowney.
I run 2-175 watt XM 15,000K on a magnetic (old) ballast.
1, plain fluorescent, 40 watt URI actinic.
1, plain fluorescent, 40 watt URI 50/50.
I played with quite a few bulbs until I found the combination that gave me the colors I wanted to see.
HumanIMDB
10/02/2006, 02:31 PM
Added more live rock this weekend...
Before...
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230004.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230004_tn.jpg" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230012.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230012_tn.jpg" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230016.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230016_tn.jpg" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230022.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230022_tn.jpg" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230024.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/P5230024_tn.jpg" border=0></a>
After...
<a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/PA020003.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/PA020003_tn.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/PA020006.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/PA020006_tn.JPG" border=0></a><a href="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/PA020012.JPG" target=_blank><img src="http://www.omnipresence.ca/images/blog/aquarium2.1/PA020012_tn.JPG" border=0></a>
Next step, change out the CC for a DSB...then add coral and fish.
scumonkey
10/02/2006, 09:23 PM
Here's my before shot (ignore the red arrow), with first fish. NEW 112g 30" high
160 lb mix of the best of the last hand picked base reeferrocks and Marshall Island Live.
No ties, glue or pvc...lock stacked like a stone fence.
front-
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/127214cheato.jpg
Side-
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/127214side.jpg
Corals on their way:crazy1:
trigger05
10/02/2006, 10:05 PM
Those are some great tanks.
Heres mine.
First configuration
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/sonic_trigger/Aquascape.jpg
Added more rocks
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/sonic_trigger/Finishedaquascape.jpg
Didn't like it so i rearanged it
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/sonic_trigger/Comingalong.jpg
And rearanged it once again
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j269/sonic_trigger/Aquarium8-29-06.jpg
The problem with my aquarium is that it is only 10 inches wide and it makes aquascaping diffcult. I really recommend a wider tank and i wish i could've purchased a different tank now. In my opinion, the best aquascape is somewhat like steps; higher rocks in the back, and shorter rocks up in front. This way you have more space to place corals on.
Good luck!
2fishy
10/03/2006, 08:13 PM
You all have such great aquascaping in your aquariums. Thanks for sharing all of these. I know that it certainly has given me ideas for different aquascaping ideas (now all I need is more aquariums). And soon I will have all the time in the world with winter a few months away!:D
druce
10/04/2006, 06:31 AM
10" wide does limit what you can do, I had a 55 long for a year and was so amazed by the room I had when I upgraded to the 90g. 6 more inches in the width can make a huge diff.
looks good tho :D
dstall
10/04/2006, 07:37 AM
He is my before and after: Tank is only 2 1/2 months old
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n152/dstall/Reeftank2.jpg
Here is 2 months later:
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n152/dstall/DSCN1304.jpg
druce
10/04/2006, 07:56 AM
I like that dstall
cdentii1
10/04/2006, 10:22 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8243928#post8243928 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by artnsx
craig the size of that anemone is ridiculous...... i want it.
me too :lolspin:
TekCat
10/04/2006, 10:51 AM
dstall, that looks pretty cool! Two questions:
1. what did you use to secure rocks?
2. did you stack them against back wall? if so, then is cleaning back glass has been an issue?
Paliya
10/04/2006, 11:18 AM
Wow, these are great. Makes me want to start another tank! :)
scumonkey, that's the best aquascape I've ever seen. I love how it doesnt' touch the back glass so you can keep it clean. Beautiful! Nice work.
Here's mine:
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n216/pyates/fullTank.jpg
It is also far enough from the back of the tank so the magnet cleaners can clean the back and all sides. It's just 'rock-locked' no epoxy or anything. Took a few tries, but haven't had an avalanche yet! Tanks is about 6 weeks old. Looking at all these great set ups, I may have to change my aquascaping around a little more!
Kind regards,
-P
dstall
10/04/2006, 03:19 PM
TekCat,
Most of the LR fit naturally together well, but few of the rocks i used epoxy or super glue. Yes some are stacked against the back wall but i'm lucky in that i can get a scaper in there and clean a good portion and the rest is up to the cleaning crew. I'm actaully pretty surprise how clean my tank looks after 2 a half months. I have actually added 3 more corals sende this picture. zoos, pagoda and ric's.
rhiggsbear
10/04/2006, 05:53 PM
Tag!!
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