show me your landscape/bonsai inspired scape - Page 2

James983 · 01/15/2008, 07:33 PM

I agree w/skey. Some folks like to highlight their fish and use the corals as accent. It's all a matter of personel taste, whatever floats you boat. Besides, I have some decent size fish who appreciate the space I'm sure.

smontanus · 01/15/2008, 08:34 PM

I'm on the fence about all this, but Takashi Amano's tanks are works of art as far as I'm concerned.

seapug · 01/15/2008, 09:29 PM

I've seen his freshwater tanks before. They are pretty incredible.

Also --just looked back at this thread for the first time since I made that post with the pics. Didn't mean to be smug-- thanks for the compliments on the 'scape.

Skey44 looks like he's off to a great start. I really dig LobsterOfJustice's tank, especially the color he gets. Hey Lobster, what brand and K are your 250w MH? Looks fantastic.

LobsterOfJustice · 01/15/2008, 09:49 PM

Thanks. 20K XM.

seapug · 01/15/2008, 09:58 PM

Ahh, probably the only kind I haven't tried yet...I like those.

I have 2 X 150w -- SPS side has a 12k Reeflux and the softie side has a 14K Pheonix. Love the 12k Reeflux, the Pheonix is nice but a tad too blue with my PC actinics.

Agu · 01/15/2008, 10:15 PM

I haven't been a fan of the "box of rocks" look for a long time.

If you want to really get into the landscape/bonsai aesthetic you may want to check out some gardening and landscaping books at your local library. Amano has been doing in planted tanks with what is accepted theory in landscape and design for years. He gets it and takes it several steps further than we can or are willing to do.

However, has anybody ever seen pics of 5 or 10 year old Amano designed tanks ? Reef tanks don't really mature for a couple of years at least. My favorite tanks are a few years old and the corals have grown in and filled the spaces to look natural.

seapug · 01/15/2008, 10:24 PM

I agree. I spent a couple years running plant nursery and doing landscape design. I definitely carried a lot of the aesthetics and design principles I learned doing that to my aquarium hobby.

Despite that, I have seen quite a few "rock wall" tanks that look pretty awesome. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the TOTMs are based on the "front viewing angle only " principle and they are always amazing.

pbradley0 · 01/15/2008, 10:25 PM

I'm new to the hobby and had a question about an aquascape with so little live rock. From what I read many sources recommend a set amount of live rock per gallon to maintain the bio filter. I've kinda been wondering if all the rock really is nessecary because I love the look of the wide open water.

So my question is, do you have to do something to suppliment the bio filtration due to the lack live rock or are the recommendation of 0.5-2 lbs per gallon exadurate?

James983 · 01/15/2008, 10:31 PM

not all LR is equal, the better LR will not have as much weight as it does mass. So the lbs. per gal. is just a guide. I didn't stress over it too much, but it shouldn't be ignored. You do want to have as much LR as possible.

stevelkaneval · 01/15/2008, 10:36 PM

and not all the rock has to be in the display tank. you can put it in the fuge and sump and it will do the same thing as the stuff in the dt.

seapug · 01/15/2008, 10:36 PM

It's also about choosing the right pieces and taking time to arrange them. I have over 175 lbs in my 90 and nothing touches the glass.

LobsterOfJustice · 01/16/2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
Ahh, probably the only kind I haven't tried yet...I like those.

I have 2 X 150w -- SPS side has a 12k Reeflux and the softie side has a 14K Pheonix. Love the 12k Reeflux, the Pheonix is nice but a tad too blue with my PC actinics.

FWIW, mine are single ended.

skey44 · 01/17/2008, 10:19 AM

i really think the #/g are exaggerated to drive sales of lr and fit most people's idea of what a tank should look like. I have had no biofiltration problems as of yet, but i do prescribe to high flow and efficient skimming as very important.

discocarp · 01/17/2008, 11:00 AM

You don't "need" much rock. Most of it is for looks. I ran a 65g with 15lbs for a couple years with no issues.

masonicman · 01/17/2008, 11:21 AM

James983

Nice back groud. Where did you get that from???

tkeracer619 · 01/17/2008, 11:27 AM

This is a FTS of my 360 before I added any corals and the engineer gobies dug the sand up.

I'm posting this one so you can actually see whats going on in there=]

There is about 14" of sand in the front. The middle rock structure is a peninsula that wraps around to join with the back wall under the middle overflow. The side and rear structures are all tied together along with the pillars in the back. There is a huge 2.5' long overhang under the left overflow and a huge 2.5' cave in the front right. The two rock formations in the front hide the returns.

More than half of the tank is open sand area. Not sure what the requirements are. I have rock on the glass, but the center of the tank was inspired this way. The build thread can be found here if you want to see how I put the rock together.

new_world_disor · 01/17/2008, 12:06 PM

tkeracer619 WOW. love your tank. you got a build thread ?
the other tanks are stunning too. i need sum inspiration for my 75g at the mo

tkeracer619 · 01/17/2008, 12:17 PM

Thanks =] , I edited my last post to include the link.

01/15/2008, 09:29 PM	#28
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I've seen his freshwater tanks before. They are pretty incredible. Also --just looked back at this thread for the first time since I made that post with the pics. Didn't mean to be smug-- thanks for the compliments on the 'scape. Skey44 looks like he's off to a great start. I really dig LobsterOfJustice's tank, especially the color he gets. Hey Lobster, what brand and K are your 250w MH? Looks fantastic. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/15/2008, 09:49 PM	#29
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Thanks. 20K XM. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

01/15/2008, 09:58 PM	#30
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Ahh, probably the only kind I haven't tried yet...I like those. I have 2 X 150w -- SPS side has a 12k Reeflux and the softie side has a 14K Pheonix. Love the 12k Reeflux, the Pheonix is nice but a tad too blue with my PC actinics. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/15/2008, 10:15 PM	#31
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	I haven't been a fan of the "box of rocks" look for a long time. If you want to really get into the landscape/bonsai aesthetic you may want to check out some gardening and landscaping books at your local library. Amano has been doing in planted tanks with what is accepted theory in landscape and design for years. He gets it and takes it several steps further than we can or are willing to do. However, has anybody ever seen pics of 5 or 10 year old Amano designed tanks ? Reef tanks don't really mature for a couple of years at least. My favorite tanks are a few years old and the corals have grown in and filled the spaces to look natural. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

01/15/2008, 10:24 PM	#32
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I agree. I spent a couple years running plant nursery and doing landscape design. I definitely carried a lot of the aesthetics and design principles I learned doing that to my aquarium hobby. Despite that, I have seen quite a few "rock wall" tanks that look pretty awesome. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the TOTMs are based on the "front viewing angle only " principle and they are always amazing. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

01/15/2008, 07:33 PM	#26
James983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,223	I agree w/skey. Some folks like to highlight their fish and use the corals as accent. It's all a matter of personel taste, whatever floats you boat. Besides, I have some decent size fish who appreciate the space I'm sure.

01/15/2008, 08:34 PM	#27
smontanus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ketchikan, Alaska Posts: 31	I'm on the fence about all this, but Takashi Amano's tanks are works of art as far as I'm concerned.

01/15/2008, 10:25 PM	#33
pbradley0 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 185	newbie question I'm new to the hobby and had a question about an aquascape with so little live rock. From what I read many sources recommend a set amount of live rock per gallon to maintain the bio filter. I've kinda been wondering if all the rock really is nessecary because I love the look of the wide open water. So my question is, do you have to do something to suppliment the bio filtration due to the lack live rock or are the recommendation of 0.5-2 lbs per gallon exadurate?

01/15/2008, 10:31 PM	#34
James983 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,223	not all LR is equal, the better LR will not have as much weight as it does mass. So the lbs. per gal. is just a guide. I didn't stress over it too much, but it shouldn't be ignored. You do want to have as much LR as possible.

01/15/2008, 10:36 PM	#35
stevelkaneval Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: oshkosh wisconsin Posts: 633	and not all the rock has to be in the display tank. you can put it in the fuge and sump and it will do the same thing as the stuff in the dt. __________________ "I live too serve you lord Megatron." "Were is the cube?" "The humans have taken it." "You fail me yet again Star Scream, get them." Current Tank Info: 20 long,korilia 1,and small ph,aquaclear70 moded fuge,coralife pc's,aqualight flouresent,seaclone skimmer,35lbs lr,green mushrooms and red and blue,and dragon eye zoas,assorted hermit crabs,nassarius snails,turbo snail,

01/17/2008, 10:19 AM	#38
skey44 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Taylors, SC Posts: 929	i really think the #/g are exaggerated to drive sales of lr and fit most people's idea of what a tank should look like. I have had no biofiltration problems as of yet, but i do prescribe to high flow and efficient skimming as very important. __________________ Just trying to enjoy a delicious slice of reef pie in the suburban jungle. -Scott Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder Dining Room Tank- 2 Kessil A160, Vortech MP10, Tunze Nanostream, Tunze 9004 skimmer, Marineland HOB, Eheim heater 34g Office Honeymoon Shallow Reef

01/17/2008, 11:00 AM	#39
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	You don't "need" much rock. Most of it is for looks. I ran a 65g with 15lbs for a couple years with no issues.

01/17/2008, 11:21 AM	#40
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	James983 Nice back groud. Where did you get that from??? __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

01/17/2008, 11:27 AM	#41
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	This is a FTS of my 360 before I added any corals and the engineer gobies dug the sand up. I'm posting this one so you can actually see whats going on in there=] There is about 14" of sand in the front. The middle rock structure is a peninsula that wraps around to join with the back wall under the middle overflow. The side and rear structures are all tied together along with the pillars in the back. There is a huge 2.5' long overhang under the left overflow and a huge 2.5' cave in the front right. The two rock formations in the front hide the returns. More than half of the tank is open sand area. Not sure what the requirements are. I have rock on the glass, but the center of the tank was inspired this way. The build thread can be found here if you want to see how I put the rock together. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. Last edited by tkeracer619; 01/17/2008 at 12:14 PM.

01/17/2008, 12:06 PM	#42
new_world_disor Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: cardiff, wales Posts: 1,393	tkeracer619 WOW. love your tank. you got a build thread ? the other tanks are stunning too. i need sum inspiration for my 75g at the mo

01/17/2008, 12:17 PM	#43
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Thanks =] , I edited my last post to include the link. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.