Aquascaping Tips and Tricks

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I thought it was time to do some aquascaping tips and tricks. I know for those of you who have seen my tank would say I am not very good at it, lol, however, I am going to re-do it soon, I promise.
I used to be a die hard "pound per gallon" guy. Over the years I have really changed my opinion. The reason is because I have seen many, many systems with very little rock work be just as successful. I believe now days it comes down to personal aesthetic taste more than anything. Some tanks have evolved with no actual live rock - as in the case of some SPS dominated tanks, they will frag off little SPS and glue them to the bottom of the tank and let them naturally grow upwards like they would in nature. These tanks are very pretty - but I still like to have some rocks.
I'm much more into the Bonzai style aquariums - minimalistic live rock - in SPS dominated systems. You just have to really know how much rock you need for certain pieces. You may find that you need more rock for certain things and less rock for others. For SPS corals that are hard and create stony skeletons, having less rock means having more room for them to grow. For soft corals that dominate rock work, having a lot of rock work for the softies to grow on is an advantage. LPS dominated tanks - depending on what type - needs a lot of sandbed or they need a lot of room to grow like SPS do. So, there is a lot of factors.
Live rock amount also depends on what fish you keep. Tangs, for example, like a lot of rock work because it provides natural places for them to graze. Some fish like to have overhands to hide in - who wouldn't do very well in a "two island tank."
So, really, think about what you have in your tank - think about how you kind of want it to look and then go from there. I suggest trying to get a well balanced look, with just as much "positive" space as "negative" space - meaning just as much rock as sand. This is more or less aesthetically pleasing.
Another aquascaping tip is that you should "break up" your rock work so that there are peaks and valleys. It helps to look at pictures of underwater reefs and pick a section of the reef that interests you most and try to replicate it in your tank.
So, here are some pictures of natural reefs so that you may be able to get some ideas for your own rock work. It's best to look at natural reefs first, before some aquarists tank because their design may highly influence your own - before you have the chance to get creative and original.




 

kiefers

Active Member
this is a good thread and one I don't believe I have seen one on this topic for some time.
It should be added that there are a few new aquarists on this board that may benefit from this and what to really think about when aquascaping their systems.
Personally, the aquascaping should have the valleys and stuff mentiond above for the swimmers in the glass cage. But what of the corals?
This should be concidered when having corals or desiring there of.
Some corals need more light than others, some a few need none. some enjoy more flow and others not so much. Aquascaping is just as important as lighting in my opinion and should be well panned out.
These rocks can be stacked up, glued together, PVC'ed together, balanced, or hanging. Most home aquariums feature a stack of rock along the back wall, trying to stay off the sand, going from left to right. This method, although widely used, in general is not a good idea. From past experience and reading other posts, water flow becomes an issue or the lack of. Having rock placed somewhat in the front and in the back is good for depth perception, having islands is a good start breaking up the long left to right look, or in the middle piled up high with a-lot of bottom space available for smaller pieces of rock for some corals or what nots.
Some questions to concider should be:

  • What do you want the aquascaping to do

  • How will you set it up (frame work, stacked, glued, acrylic rods)
    How does it affect water motion, swimming areas, feeding, filtration, lighting
    Where do future tank inhabitants change the aquascaping
Just some of my thoughts.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thanks man, I really appreciate your contribution to the thread. You have also made me think of a few things that I really needed to say as well. I really appreciate it.
Anyone else see this thread and find it interesting? Anyone want to share some 'scapes that are amazing to you?
 

elrodg

Member
Ok here is what is prolly a noob question. But can one just use any ol limestone as uncured live rock?
Opportunity is often missed because its dressed in coveralls and looks like work
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Nice thread snake I actually have started to prepare for a simulation of post 3. I can’t wait until I get to say ‘HONEY I SHRUNK THE SCUBA DIVER’
 

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elrodg http:///t/393305/aquascaping-tips-and-tricks#post_3498105
Ok here is what is prolly a noob question. But can one just use any ol limestone as uncured live rock?
Opportunity is often missed because its dressed in coveralls and looks like work
you can have base rock in your system however, I beileve it would be a good idea to go ahead and purchase atleast some live rock.
JMO
Hi Joe! How ya feelin'?
 

elrodg

Member
Well here is pretty much my only option being both landlocked and almost 250-300 miles from a decent saltwater store of any kind.
I will be creating my own lr using Portland cement and oyster shell. I have a couple pieces of base rock to seed the manmade.
Opportunity is often missed because its dressed in coveralls and looks like work
 

elrodg

Member
My friend is the one that told me about it. He will be helpin me to do this project.
Opportunity is often missed because its dressed in coveralls and looks like work
 

mr. limpid

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elrodg http:///t/393305/aquascaping-tips-and-tricks#post_3498429
Well here is pretty much my only option being both landlocked and almost 250-300 miles from a decent saltwater store of any kind.
I will be creating my own lr using Portland cement and oyster shell. I have a couple pieces of base rock to seed the manmade.
Opportunity is often missed because its dressed in coveralls and looks like work
If you add rock salt (large and small, like water softener type) to your mixture, when it dissolves it leaves a lot of nooks and crannies similar to LR.
Oh ya good job again Seth. Like all the tanks, one looks like a picture of a tank vs a real tank, the one suspended in window wall.
 

elrodg

Member
Yea I have been doing my research
Opportunity is often missed because its dressed in coveralls and looks like work
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
If you are concerned about weight you can also add small plastic beads you can buy at a crafts store to the cement to make the rock lighter
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
If you really want fake looking live rock, get plastic rocks. Light, already pretty and don't need six months to cure propertly. :D
 
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