Help with Aquascaping

lilredwuck · 02/13/2010, 10:57 PM

I could use a little help with my aquascaping. It's proving quite challenging to me, either being my first aquascaping experience or the tank being 24x12x24.
How tall should I make the rockwork? I am lost here!!!!
It looks like I just made a pile of rocks....Nothing interesting...Am I using too much large rock?

burtonpj48 · 02/13/2010, 11:13 PM

its better to use smaller rocks if u have a smaller tank. for some reason it just looks better, just keep moving them around and twist them in different directions to see what may work for u. for me i like to have spaces between the rocks so fish can swim in between them.

jsharp1 · 02/13/2010, 11:20 PM

You can always break out the chisel and hammer to make some smaller rocks

checkx1 · 02/13/2010, 11:22 PM

A little tricky to work with those dimensions. Stabiltiy is the No#1 concern.
Then next-? reef(more platform/tiers) or FOWLR(arches/caves).
Use of zip-ties/epoxy/acrylic rods will give you stability and more options.

lilredwuck · 02/13/2010, 11:27 PM

It'll be a reef tank, I bought some epoxy putty, just gotta get the look down.

jenjen · 02/14/2010, 12:21 AM

At the very least I would move the rocks enough away from the glass to make room for a mag-float so you can clean the glass. I agree that some smaller rocks would make creating a more natural aquascape easier.

lilredwuck · 02/14/2010, 12:25 AM

I'm done for tonight. I can't aquascape in milk anymore. The more I try, the less I see.

irieef · 02/14/2010, 01:21 AM

fun, fun, thats the number 1 thing..you gotta have fun with it, it is a process and know that it is not going to be permanent, things will change once you start adding coral, which you will use to cover up spots you don't like so much. so i really wouldn't stress on trying to get it all that pretty right now, focus on structural stability and more spots (surface area) for coral placement. your rockwork's height depends on the type of lighting and/or type of corals you plan to keep..just grab a couple pieces of rock, pick out a spot to start at and make that your focal point. now this can either be a nice ledge, an open valley, a cave, etc..and just work your way from there, piece by piece, tedious but rewarding once you get it how you like it..a little imagination can go a long way-chisel, throw, hammer, smash your rock. look at different angles, flip that piece every which way before you move on to that next one..look at other reefer's scapes and take little bits from here and there, but don't go and full on copy anyone cause you will not be satisfied..i believe reeftanks are a form of self-expression..you'll get it, and you will make it your own..just remember to have fun- good luck and happy reefing

02/14/2010, 12:21 AM	#6
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	At the very least I would move the rocks enough away from the glass to make room for a mag-float so you can clean the glass. I agree that some smaller rocks would make creating a more natural aquascape easier. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

02/14/2010, 01:21 AM	#8
irieef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: chargerland Posts: 93	scaping.. fun, fun, thats the number 1 thing..you gotta have fun with it, it is a process and know that it is not going to be permanent, things will change once you start adding coral, which you will use to cover up spots you don't like so much. so i really wouldn't stress on trying to get it all that pretty right now, focus on structural stability and more spots (surface area) for coral placement. your rockwork's height depends on the type of lighting and/or type of corals you plan to keep..just grab a couple pieces of rock, pick out a spot to start at and make that your focal point. now this can either be a nice ledge, an open valley, a cave, etc..and just work your way from there, piece by piece, tedious but rewarding once you get it how you like it..a little imagination can go a long way-chisel, throw, hammer, smash your rock. look at different angles, flip that piece every which way before you move on to that next one..look at other reefer's scapes and take little bits from here and there, but don't go and full on copy anyone cause you will not be satisfied..i believe reeftanks are a form of self-expression..you'll get it, and you will make it your own..just remember to have fun- good luck and happy reefing __________________ reefkeeping isn't a hobby, it's a sickness... Current Tank Info: 60 gallon cube mixed reef

02/13/2010, 10:57 PM	#1
lilredwuck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Excelsior Springs, (Kansas City) Missouri but mainly LA-LA land Posts: 383	Help with Aquascaping I could use a little help with my aquascaping. It's proving quite challenging to me, either being my first aquascaping experience or the tank being 24x12x24. How tall should I make the rockwork? I am lost here!!!! It looks like I just made a pile of rocks....Nothing interesting...Am I using too much large rock?

02/13/2010, 11:13 PM	#2
burtonpj48 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 79	its better to use smaller rocks if u have a smaller tank. for some reason it just looks better, just keep moving them around and twist them in different directions to see what may work for u. for me i like to have spaces between the rocks so fish can swim in between them.

02/13/2010, 11:20 PM	#3
jsharp1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 162	You can always break out the chisel and hammer to make some smaller rocks

02/13/2010, 11:22 PM	#4
checkx1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tx Posts: 60	A little tricky to work with those dimensions. Stabiltiy is the No#1 concern. Then next-? reef(more platform/tiers) or FOWLR(arches/caves). Use of zip-ties/epoxy/acrylic rods will give you stability and more options.

02/13/2010, 11:27 PM	#5
lilredwuck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Excelsior Springs, (Kansas City) Missouri but mainly LA-LA land Posts: 383	It'll be a reef tank, I bought some epoxy putty, just gotta get the look down.

02/14/2010, 12:25 AM	#7
lilredwuck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Excelsior Springs, (Kansas City) Missouri but mainly LA-LA land Posts: 383	I'm done for tonight. I can't aquascape in milk anymore. The more I try, the less I see.