Rate my aquascape.

lougotzz · 03/31/2010, 06:11 PM

Well, I just finished my aquascaping fo my new tank, and I wanted some opinions, I like it, but what do you think? Suggestions?

Packersfan21 · 03/31/2010, 06:53 PM

Not that bad, but I think adding more caves and crevices for fish to swim through and hide in would be better.

lougotzz · 03/31/2010, 06:56 PM

More suggestions?

jazzmanb · 03/31/2010, 07:00 PM

deffinatly a cave or two, a taller area[pillar,overhang] to chance the depth a bit. of course its all opinion. once you have corals in place, itll change dramatically,but i personally always think about the fish and their swimming patterns

Typlus5 · 03/31/2010, 07:04 PM

As the rocks are very similar size, to create interest, you'll need to get creative. I would suggest and larger pile stacked against the overflow in a half moon shape then create an "outcropping" into the center of the right side. I like the K of lights in the pics and you have so much potential.
Keep looking at tanks "you" like and emmulate them.......good luck.

Footbag · 03/31/2010, 07:05 PM

I agree with more caves and crevices. Also, you can use more vertical space on one side and since you have a sand bed maybe a sand cove of some sort. Even two separate islands. Use vertical and horizontal space to your advantage.

betamed · 03/31/2010, 07:15 PM

use pvc and drill holes in the rocks to peg them together

G.H. Dorr · 03/31/2010, 07:17 PM

The rocks you have to work with are not ideal. They appear to be mostly round which is a difficult shape to build with. Keep trying to create some height, variation and asymmetry. Also, create perspective and depth by moving one or two to the foreground. I have been aquascaping for over 4 years and I still don't have the look that I am after.

lougotzz · 03/31/2010, 08:01 PM

Ok, I have opened it up a little, as well as added a couple of crevices. The rocks are actually very flat. Three pieces are like 15 pound plates. You can't see them because they kind of serve as the base. I took out the center and added it to the left side. It kind of makes a wave. I will post pictures tomorrow since the lights went out already. Plus I get my 20k XM bulbs tomorrow that I am looking foward to!

troyman · 03/31/2010, 08:02 PM

yeah space the rock more you have alot to work with there and you want water flow to go through the rock

lougotzz · 03/31/2010, 08:07 PM

See the problem is the overflow box gets in the way and the tank is only 18 inches wide to begin with.

abaran · 03/31/2010, 08:11 PM

Use the round ones as the base and put the flat ones on top to make a cave.

lougotzz · 03/31/2010, 08:20 PM

Alright. I got a few round pieces that I don't like seeing so much so Ill give it a try.

ka2zesmi786 · 03/31/2010, 08:28 PM

yes, more caves. while you guys are at it, can mine be rated as well? thanks! =)

Av8bluewater · 03/31/2010, 08:42 PM

Aquascaping is an art. One problem I see a lot is big rocks in a small tank and/or just a pile of rocks for aquascaping. This looks like a pile of rocks. I think it will be fine if it was covered with SPS colonies. But... you may want to consider breaking rocks into small pieces and making some caves and/or a more natural look. Maybe divide it into two islands.

sassyfrassy · 03/31/2010, 09:22 PM

Possibly leave a little open space in center or off to one side. Islands of unequal heights - an overhang if you have a longish rock suitable. I used several smaller rocks w/larger on top to create cave/tunnel effect. You can also chisel out holes if you're careful.

Pink Coralline · 03/31/2010, 09:26 PM

Keep as much rock off the sand as possible. Too much waste gets stuck under it when its on the sand. You got the right idea though, just cave it more.

wolf reef · 03/31/2010, 09:32 PM

more negative space, maybe a few islands instead of one large pile

Metal Man 1221 · 03/31/2010, 09:58 PM

might i suggest going to your LFS and getting some HUGEish pieces

iv got a large rock pile like thing going on made from three or four large pieces of rock, along with some medium and smaller pieces, it adds more of a natural look to it
heres a pic of my 125

not a great pic but gives you an idea

waldomas · 03/31/2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lougotzz

Well, I just finished my aquascaping fo my new tank, and I wanted some opinions, I like it, but what do you think? Suggestions?

The three pieces on the right look like a head and two shoulders.

I think overall the scale is right for the tank, you just need to open it up a bit to get some flow thru it.
I like to build a base with branching rock then top with some larger somewhat flat pieces on which to attach corals.

It needs something swimming!

waldomas · 03/31/2010, 11:27 PM

Something to "surf" the vortech!

Konolua · 04/01/2010, 12:29 AM

Go tall on one side and then slope down on the right. Or, got tall in the middle and out towards the front a bit, and then go out each way from there (like a Y almost.....).

I agree with the above comment of find a tank YOU like and mimic it. Another excellent point is to keep as much off the sand as possible.

ziyaadb · 04/01/2010, 12:47 AM

i am going to drill my rock and use epoxy to glue them together to get the scape that i want. And what he^^^^ said

View Poll Results: Do you like my aquscape?
Yes.	1	1.23%
No.	47	58.02%
It's OK.	30	37.04%
Pie.	3	3.70%
Voters: 81. You may not vote on this poll

03/31/2010, 06:11 PM	#1
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	Rate my aquascape. Well, I just finished my aquascaping fo my new tank, and I wanted some opinions, I like it, but what do you think? Suggestions?

03/31/2010, 08:28 PM	#14
ka2zesmi786 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oxnard Posts: 55	yes, more caves. while you guys are at it, can mine be rated as well? thanks! =) __________________ -Machine Current Tank Info: 75 fresh, 60 salt

03/31/2010, 09:22 PM	#16
sassyfrassy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kings Mountain, NC Posts: 912	Possibly leave a little open space in center or off to one side. Islands of unequal heights - an overhang if you have a longish rock suitable. I used several smaller rocks w/larger on top to create cave/tunnel effect. You can also chisel out holes if you're careful. __________________ Faith, hope, and love abide; but the greatest of these is love. Current Tank Info: 40g breeder DT LR & Macro Algae - 2" sand, 6 T5s & 2 fans in hood; 30gL sump/fuge w/MSX 200 skimmer & other equip.; (mangroves in DT - roots are great look)

03/31/2010, 09:26 PM	#17
Pink Coralline Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Butler Posts: 46	Keep as much rock off the sand as possible. Too much waste gets stuck under it when its on the sand. You got the right idea though, just cave it more. __________________ I <3 Starfiretank... Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef

03/31/2010, 06:53 PM	#2
Packersfan21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 920	Not that bad, but I think adding more caves and crevices for fish to swim through and hide in would be better.

03/31/2010, 06:56 PM	#3
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	More suggestions?

03/31/2010, 07:00 PM	#4
jazzmanb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: san francisco,ca Posts: 508	deffinatly a cave or two, a taller area[pillar,overhang] to chance the depth a bit. of course its all opinion. once you have corals in place, itll change dramatically,but i personally always think about the fish and their swimming patterns

03/31/2010, 07:04 PM	#5
Typlus5 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gonzales Louisiana Posts: 966	As the rocks are very similar size, to create interest, you'll need to get creative. I would suggest and larger pile stacked against the overflow in a half moon shape then create an "outcropping" into the center of the right side. I like the K of lights in the pics and you have so much potential. Keep looking at tanks "you" like and emmulate them.......good luck.

03/31/2010, 07:05 PM	#6
Footbag Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 336	I agree with more caves and crevices. Also, you can use more vertical space on one side and since you have a sand bed maybe a sand cove of some sort. Even two separate islands. Use vertical and horizontal space to your advantage.

03/31/2010, 07:15 PM	#7
betamed Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cooper city fl Posts: 1,383	use pvc and drill holes in the rocks to peg them together

03/31/2010, 07:17 PM	#8
G.H. Dorr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 17	The rocks you have to work with are not ideal. They appear to be mostly round which is a difficult shape to build with. Keep trying to create some height, variation and asymmetry. Also, create perspective and depth by moving one or two to the foreground. I have been aquascaping for over 4 years and I still don't have the look that I am after.

03/31/2010, 08:01 PM	#9
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	Ok, I have opened it up a little, as well as added a couple of crevices. The rocks are actually very flat. Three pieces are like 15 pound plates. You can't see them because they kind of serve as the base. I took out the center and added it to the left side. It kind of makes a wave. I will post pictures tomorrow since the lights went out already. Plus I get my 20k XM bulbs tomorrow that I am looking foward to!

03/31/2010, 08:02 PM	#10
troyman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: troy ny Posts: 1,025	yeah space the rock more you have alot to work with there and you want water flow to go through the rock

03/31/2010, 08:07 PM	#11
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	See the problem is the overflow box gets in the way and the tank is only 18 inches wide to begin with.

03/31/2010, 08:11 PM	#12
abaran Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 60193 Posts: 151	Use the round ones as the base and put the flat ones on top to make a cave.

03/31/2010, 08:20 PM	#13
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	Alright. I got a few round pieces that I don't like seeing so much so Ill give it a try.

03/31/2010, 08:42 PM	#15
Av8bluewater Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 763	Aquascaping is an art. One problem I see a lot is big rocks in a small tank and/or just a pile of rocks for aquascaping. This looks like a pile of rocks. I think it will be fine if it was covered with SPS colonies. But... you may want to consider breaking rocks into small pieces and making some caves and/or a more natural look. Maybe divide it into two islands.

03/31/2010, 09:32 PM	#18
wolf reef Moved On Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 17	more negative space, maybe a few islands instead of one large pile

03/31/2010, 09:58 PM	#19
Metal Man 1221 FMMAS Executive Director Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fargo ND Posts: 1,504	might i suggest going to your LFS and getting some HUGEish pieces iv got a large rock pile like thing going on made from three or four large pieces of rock, along with some medium and smaller pieces, it adds more of a natural look to it heres a pic of my 125 not a great pic but gives you an idea __________________ "My advise is, always look at their aquarium before you take their advise. Because alot of people give advise and they havnt got a clue" ~David Saxby~ "Only after the last tree's cut and the last river poisoned only after the last fish is caught will you find that money cannot be eaten" ~Lamb of God~ Current Tank Info: 125g DT, 45g sump ---- 57g Illuminata, custom sump

03/31/2010, 11:27 PM	#21
waldomas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 761	Something to "surf" the vortech!

04/01/2010, 12:29 AM	#22
Konolua Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 169	Go tall on one side and then slope down on the right. Or, got tall in the middle and out towards the front a bit, and then go out each way from there (like a Y almost.....). I agree with the above comment of find a tank YOU like and mimic it. Another excellent point is to keep as much off the sand as possible. __________________ Kyle The Volcano Tank Current Tank Info: The Volcano Tank: Reef Central Thread

04/01/2010, 12:47 AM	#23
ziyaadb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Africa - JHB Posts: 733	i am going to drill my rock and use epoxy to glue them together to get the scape that i want. And what he^^^^ said