Tank decor

kbaker721 · 01/08/2019, 10:01 PM

I have been keeping a sw tank for years. I have had corals at various times but have decided I do not want to spend the time or money in going reef. My 150 is a FOWLR. The downside of that is that my tank looks very boring. Just a bunch of live rock. Aesthetically unappealing - especially to those not Into fish keeping - i.e. everyone else in my life. I put some fake aquarium plants in to give it life and color. Any suggestions of how to add some attractiveness to the decor? Again I am NOT going reef and know that to many purists the idea of fake stuff in the tank is an abomination, but I’m just trying to make the tank look nice and appealing. THANKS!!

jlmawp · 01/08/2019, 11:35 PM

Any pictures of your scape? You'd be amazed at what a change of scape using some universal composition rules will do for the look of your tank. Free and easy since you don't have corals to smoosh.

rjjr1963 · 01/08/2019, 11:35 PM

I've seen fake coral that's very colorful.

mcgyvr · 01/09/2019, 05:49 AM

What about adding some display macroalgaes? Dragons breath,etc...

While I personally wouldn't put fake coral in my tank this is your tank we are talking about.. DO what makes YOU happy.. Its your tank..
I think I might just increase the fish life so that they steal the eye away from the rock..

humphreyhh · 01/09/2019, 10:23 AM

Macro algae like dragon's breath is very nice to have.

Dry coral branches/bones are always good. Fan coral branches looks cool and people not in this hobby might even think it's alive...

Shells (real ones) are good too. Especially big ones for showcasing in the tank. Smaller ones can help decorate the bottom if your tank is bare bottom.

I don't like plastic decorations (unless they were made to look really authentic). I have a fake anemone for my clowns but only because they loved my anemone too harsh so I decided to get them a fake one temporarily, but it never mingles with real things, not even rocks.

nereefpat · 01/09/2019, 11:24 AM

Another option would be to let cheap/easy/invasive corals take over.

Big patches of green star polyps, xenia, kenya trees, mushroom, etc. They don't require much light and don't require alk/Ca dosing at all.

Akram · 01/09/2019, 12:12 PM

Non photosynthétique corals, sponges, dead coral shells, giant clam shells, giant snail shells.... you just have to shop deeply for great items.

Also, take a look at your rock scape, get inspired by some aquariums from online searches or with your eyes at a lfs or an aquarium; then, make a plan and buy what you think will fulfill what you’re looking for

Lighting also play a big role, so even if you have a fowlr you may want to reconsider your lighting. Some cheaper leds like fluval or current with some color adjustments can bring out a lot beauty within your current setup already.

kbaker721 · 01/09/2019, 07:26 PM

Thanks for all the feedback! I like the idea of macroalgea - any suggestions other than dragon's breath?

I also like the idea of invasive corals - I have a couple inexpensive led lights on the tank - I got rid of the MH pendants as it was just supplying the algae growth and not needed. I will take a look around and see what ideas I can find - Thanks

kbaker721 · 01/09/2019, 07:52 PM

Any recommendations of where to look into buying macroalgae??

mcgyvr · 01/09/2019, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbaker721

Any recommendations of where to look into buying macroalgae??

Ebay is actually where I've gotten some good stuff..
Live-plants.com is a other...pick something you like

kbaker721 · 01/09/2019, 08:35 PM

I was just looking at EBay. .... glad to hear someone has success there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/08/2019, 10:01 PM	#1
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Tank decor I have been keeping a sw tank for years. I have had corals at various times but have decided I do not want to spend the time or money in going reef. My 150 is a FOWLR. The downside of that is that my tank looks very boring. Just a bunch of live rock. Aesthetically unappealing - especially to those not Into fish keeping - i.e. everyone else in my life. I put some fake aquarium plants in to give it life and color. Any suggestions of how to add some attractiveness to the decor? Again I am NOT going reef and know that to many purists the idea of fake stuff in the tank is an abomination, but I’m just trying to make the tank look nice and appealing. THANKS!!

01/08/2019, 11:35 PM	#3
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	I've seen fake coral that's very colorful. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

01/09/2019, 05:49 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	What about adding some display macroalgaes? Dragons breath,etc... While I personally wouldn't put fake coral in my tank this is your tank we are talking about.. DO what makes YOU happy.. Its your tank.. I think I might just increase the fish life so that they steal the eye away from the rock.. __________________ Who me?

01/09/2019, 11:24 AM	#6
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Another option would be to let cheap/easy/invasive corals take over. Big patches of green star polyps, xenia, kenya trees, mushroom, etc. They don't require much light and don't require alk/Ca dosing at all. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/08/2019, 11:35 PM	#2
jlmawp Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 595	Any pictures of your scape? You'd be amazed at what a change of scape using some universal composition rules will do for the look of your tank. Free and easy since you don't have corals to smoosh.

01/09/2019, 10:23 AM	#5
humphreyhh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 581	Macro algae like dragon's breath is very nice to have. Dry coral branches/bones are always good. Fan coral branches looks cool and people not in this hobby might even think it's alive... Shells (real ones) are good too. Especially big ones for showcasing in the tank. Smaller ones can help decorate the bottom if your tank is bare bottom. I don't like plastic decorations (unless they were made to look really authentic). I have a fake anemone for my clowns but only because they loved my anemone too harsh so I decided to get them a fake one temporarily, but it never mingles with real things, not even rocks.

01/09/2019, 12:12 PM	#7
Akram Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 72	Non photosynthétique corals, sponges, dead coral shells, giant clam shells, giant snail shells.... you just have to shop deeply for great items. Also, take a look at your rock scape, get inspired by some aquariums from online searches or with your eyes at a lfs or an aquarium; then, make a plan and buy what you think will fulfill what you’re looking for Lighting also play a big role, so even if you have a fowlr you may want to reconsider your lighting. Some cheaper leds like fluval or current with some color adjustments can bring out a lot beauty within your current setup already.

01/09/2019, 07:26 PM	#8
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Thanks for all the feedback! I like the idea of macroalgea - any suggestions other than dragon's breath? I also like the idea of invasive corals - I have a couple inexpensive led lights on the tank - I got rid of the MH pendants as it was just supplying the algae growth and not needed. I will take a look around and see what ideas I can find - Thanks

01/09/2019, 07:52 PM	#9
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Any recommendations of where to look into buying macroalgae??

01/09/2019, 08:35 PM	#11
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	I was just looking at EBay. .... glad to hear someone has success there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk