My first aquascape (pics)

lespaul339 · 10/19/2012, 04:54 PM

Just got done aquascaping my very first saltwater tank. It's a TruVu 56 gallon tall tank. Running a CPR Bak Pak skimmer, not using the bio bale media. Instead I have my heater in the bio bale spot. Also running a Marineland HOB carbon filter. Cycling it right now with 45lbs of live rock, and I used about 60lbs of Caribsea special grade reef sand. I'm pretty happy with this live rock layout, I was going for lots of caves for the fish to swim in and out of and also to improve water flow between the rock. I have some pink and purple coralline algae already starting on the rock.

mrbncal · 10/19/2012, 05:00 PM

As long as its stable, the top rock looks a little precarious . . . otherwise looks like a good start to a nice tank.

* "Big Word" score alert for using precarious in a post

lespaul339 · 10/19/2012, 05:03 PM

Yep, I made sure it is very stable. It doesn't look like it in the pics but that top rock is supported very well by the rocks underneath.

mcgyvr · 10/19/2012, 06:24 PM

too much of a "stacked by a human" look IMO. I like a more natural look.

chrisfont23 · 10/19/2012, 06:29 PM

Caves are nice. Tough for corals though as the dim areas are kind of wastes of real estate.

bnumair · 10/19/2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfont23

Caves are nice. Tough for corals though as the dim areas are kind of wastes of real estate.

i agree with that. u will need more real estate for corals and just a few caves for fish.

lespaul339 · 10/19/2012, 09:31 PM

I'm only doing a FOWLR tank.

sail33 · 10/19/2012, 09:33 PM

A good start. I do agree that it looks a bit too man made for my taste. Also, I think the "caves" are more pass throughs. I gave my fish a few places to hide and sleep in comfort.

I'd suggest leaning a few rocks against the back wall with a passage for fish to get behind.
That works for me partly because I've discovered that everyone doesn't WANT to see me all the time.

slavver01 · 10/19/2012, 11:04 PM

Agree with above post, some of that livestock will want to hideout

TimmyD16 · 10/19/2012, 11:27 PM

I like it! Though I agree that it might look a little un-natural, but I also agree that it could use a few more caves parallel to the front side, this would let fishes take a break from watching you!

sponger0 · 10/20/2012, 07:07 AM

I think it looks good. Caves are good for fish and shrimp to have.

It does have a bit of a manmade look. But there is plenty of places for coral. Ive even had some corals that do better in shade than direct light.

10/19/2012, 04:54 PM	#1
lespaul339 Reefer Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 903	My first aquascape (pics) Just got done aquascaping my very first saltwater tank. It's a TruVu 56 gallon tall tank. Running a CPR Bak Pak skimmer, not using the bio bale media. Instead I have my heater in the bio bale spot. Also running a Marineland HOB carbon filter. Cycling it right now with 45lbs of live rock, and I used about 60lbs of Caribsea special grade reef sand. I'm pretty happy with this live rock layout, I was going for lots of caves for the fish to swim in and out of and also to improve water flow between the rock. I have some pink and purple coralline algae already starting on the rock.

10/19/2012, 05:00 PM	#2
mrbncal Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Redding Posts: 677	As long as its stable, the top rock looks a little precarious . . . otherwise looks like a good start to a nice tank. * "Big Word" score alert for using precarious in a post __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 75 RR AGA, OceanRevive LED w/ 2 t5, DIY Algae Scrubber filter

10/19/2012, 06:24 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	too much of a "stacked by a human" look IMO. I like a more natural look. __________________ Who me?

10/19/2012, 05:03 PM	#3
lespaul339 Reefer Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 903	Yep, I made sure it is very stable. It doesn't look like it in the pics but that top rock is supported very well by the rocks underneath.

10/19/2012, 06:29 PM	#5
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	Caves are nice. Tough for corals though as the dim areas are kind of wastes of real estate.

10/19/2012, 09:31 PM	#7
lespaul339 Reefer Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 903	I'm only doing a FOWLR tank.

10/19/2012, 09:33 PM	#8
sail33 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Sunny St. Pete, FL Posts: 522	A good start. I do agree that it looks a bit too man made for my taste. Also, I think the "caves" are more pass throughs. I gave my fish a few places to hide and sleep in comfort. I'd suggest leaning a few rocks against the back wall with a passage for fish to get behind. That works for me partly because I've discovered that everyone doesn't WANT to see me all the time.

10/19/2012, 11:04 PM	#9
slavver01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 125	Agree with above post, some of that livestock will want to hideout

10/19/2012, 11:27 PM	#10
TimmyD16 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 280	I like it! Though I agree that it might look a little un-natural, but I also agree that it could use a few more caves parallel to the front side, this would let fishes take a break from watching you!

10/20/2012, 07:07 AM	#11
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	I think it looks good. Caves are good for fish and shrimp to have. It does have a bit of a manmade look. But there is plenty of places for coral. Ive even had some corals that do better in shade than direct light.