Shallow Tank Aquascaping

Willy18T · 04/11/2011, 10:43 AM

I have a 48x24x16h rimless aquarium and I am in the intial phases of aquascaping. Please give opinions and advice.

The tank will be a SPS tank with some soft corals. It is currently using a 6 bulb T5 fixture and will be upgraded to Par 38 LED bulbs in the future.

Front

The pvc is temporary. I have gone for a three tier look almost like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stands. In the middle you can also see a small cove that leads to a little cave for fish to hide in. I have also kept the rock off of the glass by at least 2" all the way around.

Left side

In the middle you can see a shelf, which will have the highest par rating for sps frags 6" of growing room. I also have a small island to the left for more grown out sps and what not 9" of growing room. I also tried to create a small valley between the two.

Right side

The right side is kind of boring, but it offers alot of space for coral placement 7" of growing room from the highest point and 12" from the lowest point.

Mr_N1ce · 04/11/2011, 11:35 AM

For shallow tanks I like minimalist aquascapes very much.
How about this thread for ideas

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1658490

Willy18T · 04/11/2011, 01:13 PM

I have been through that thread multiple times. Thanks though.

Difficulty is that a tank properly aquascaped for future coral growth looks kind of dull (without corals of course) and a tank with creative aquascaping looks great but may limit you on placement of coral.

I am trying to hit in the middle.

critofer · 04/11/2011, 01:16 PM

I just tried to stack my rock so there would be alot of holes and stuff for fish to swim in. i wasnt even paying attention to corals and it came out great with lots of spots for coral placement.

Mr. Brooks · 04/11/2011, 03:03 PM

I dig it.

oldezra · 04/11/2011, 07:38 PM

Very simple I like it that way

greech · 04/11/2011, 07:46 PM

I like it too assuming the PVC is going away or will be hidden. As others said very simple which I like a lot. The only thing I might do is try and find a rock with a bit of an arch to it that you can put on the right side to give it a little more height over there.

Sweet tank too BTW!

dwa_jeff · 04/11/2011, 08:06 PM

I really dig it! love the minimalist look on shallow tanks. it makes them seem larger than they are.

What i really like is the closed loop setup. nicely done.

Agu · 04/11/2011, 08:31 PM

Is your substrate a towel ?

wedwards · 04/11/2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agu

Is your substrate a towel ?

gveng · 04/11/2011, 10:29 PM

wow, i never knew people put soo much effort into their aquascape. CRAZY!!

Willy18T · 04/12/2011, 08:28 AM

Have you heard of bare bottom tanks? This is a Dirty towel bottom tank, it's on the cutting edge

I must be crazy to get into a hobby like this.

cjdevito · 04/12/2011, 11:36 AM

I dislike the platform rock that's currently (temporarily, I know) being held up with pvc, and think the overall look could be significantly improved just by removing it and not replacing it with anything. I quite like the rest of the scape.

Willy18T · 04/12/2011, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the opinion, but the platform is essential for growing sps.

Agu · 04/12/2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willy18T

Have you heard of bare bottom tanks? This is a Dirty towel bottom tank, it's on the cutting edge

I must be crazy to get into a hobby like this.

Sorry but the towel has to go ..............

iheartJMS · 04/12/2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agu

Sorry but the towel has to go ..............

Nitrate factory. I agree

I like the scape how it is

Willy18T · 04/12/2011, 07:27 PM

Just in case some of you didn't get sarcasm above, it will be replaced soon by Caribsea Special Grade.

Thanks for the comments!

iheartJMS · 04/12/2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willy18T

Just in case some of you didn't get sarcasm above, it will be replaced soon by Caribsea Special Grade.

Thanks for the comments!

You know we're just kidding about the towel!

But again, I really do like the scaping how it is. No need for any changes

04/11/2011, 10:43 AM	#1
Willy18T Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 270	Shallow Tank Aquascaping I have a 48x24x16h rimless aquarium and I am in the intial phases of aquascaping. Please give opinions and advice. The tank will be a SPS tank with some soft corals. It is currently using a 6 bulb T5 fixture and will be upgraded to Par 38 LED bulbs in the future. Front The pvc is temporary. I have gone for a three tier look almost like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stands. In the middle you can also see a small cove that leads to a little cave for fish to hide in. I have also kept the rock off of the glass by at least 2" all the way around. Left side In the middle you can see a shelf, which will have the highest par rating for sps frags 6" of growing room. I also have a small island to the left for more grown out sps and what not 9" of growing room. I also tried to create a small valley between the two. Right side The right side is kind of boring, but it offers alot of space for coral placement 7" of growing room from the highest point and 12" from the lowest point.

04/11/2011, 07:46 PM	#7
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	I like it too assuming the PVC is going away or will be hidden. As others said very simple which I like a lot. The only thing I might do is try and find a rock with a bit of an arch to it that you can put on the right side to give it a little more height over there. Sweet tank too BTW! __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

04/11/2011, 08:31 PM	#9
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Is your substrate a towel ? __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

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04/11/2011, 11:35 AM	#2
Mr_N1ce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 187	For shallow tanks I like minimalist aquascapes very much. How about this thread for ideas http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1658490

04/11/2011, 01:13 PM	#3
Willy18T Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 270	I have been through that thread multiple times. Thanks though. Difficulty is that a tank properly aquascaped for future coral growth looks kind of dull (without corals of course) and a tank with creative aquascaping looks great but may limit you on placement of coral. I am trying to hit in the middle.

04/11/2011, 01:16 PM	#4
critofer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 294	I just tried to stack my rock so there would be alot of holes and stuff for fish to swim in. i wasnt even paying attention to corals and it came out great with lots of spots for coral placement.

04/11/2011, 03:03 PM	#5
Mr. Brooks MASVC Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 3,477	I dig it.

04/11/2011, 07:38 PM	#6
oldezra Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 50	Very simple I like it that way

04/11/2011, 08:06 PM	#8
dwa_jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 94	I really dig it! love the minimalist look on shallow tanks. it makes them seem larger than they are. What i really like is the closed loop setup. nicely done.

04/11/2011, 10:29 PM	#11
gveng Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Downey, CA Posts: 2,385	wow, i never knew people put soo much effort into their aquascape. CRAZY!!

04/12/2011, 08:28 AM	#12
Willy18T Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 270	Have you heard of bare bottom tanks? This is a Dirty towel bottom tank, it's on the cutting edge I must be crazy to get into a hobby like this.

04/12/2011, 11:36 AM	#13
cjdevito 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: NYC Posts: 635	I dislike the platform rock that's currently (temporarily, I know) being held up with pvc, and think the overall look could be significantly improved just by removing it and not replacing it with anything. I quite like the rest of the scape.

04/12/2011, 02:39 PM	#14
Willy18T Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 270	Thanks for the opinion, but the platform is essential for growing sps.

04/12/2011, 07:27 PM	#17
Willy18T Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 270	Just in case some of you didn't get sarcasm above, it will be replaced soon by Caribsea Special Grade. Thanks for the comments!