Need help aquascaping....

[ReefNeck]

Ok, I have rearranged this tank 3 times in 3 weeks and I am still not satisfied with it. As stated elsewhere it looks like a pile of rocks to me.

I have no skills at all in aquascaping or designing anything. I know most of you will say that it's up to me and what I want being it's my tank but I don't know what I want. That is why I am asking for design help from you all.

I'll post up a pic of the full tank and I ask that you post your ideas. Feel free to post your aquascaping pics and offer suggestions. Criticism is also welcome as I know it's terrible. :O

Thanks in advance.

[piberoptikz]

Tank looks fine but you may have to add some more liverocks to meet your expectations. You know it's really unsatisfying to aquascape with a few liverocks to play with.

Big tanks are easy to aquascape. Just add a few big rocks on the right top side and a couple on the left side. You may also design your own cave on the right hand side and leave the left side as a small island. You may also build an arch in between both sides of the rock formation.

I have the same problem as you do when it comes to aquascaping. Satisfaction does not come very easy to me. Also make sure you don't stress those living buddies inside whenever you move things.


Just work your imagination and satisfaction shall come to you.

[Joseph]

Sometimes less is more, but IMO I would add a few more rocks.
I ended up making some aragocrete rocks so I could get some shapes that are hard to find in most liverock like big flat rocks, cave rocks and arches. You could also try using some acrylic to make some shelves to support your rock like reefkeeps did in his tank.

[john_auberry]

Keep it light and open. Lots of caves. place the base rocks on the bottom on the glass ( not sand) because rocks that are place on sand builds up nitrates under them, and fish could dig out the sand and cause it to fall scratching the glass or worst. PLace the bottom rocks apart as far as you can get with other rock to span them. I always elevate my bigger rock up in the tank by placeing smaller rocks under them.

[PelagicMagic]

It looks good to me. All the above advice is right on target. I aquascape by using baserock or fakerock for the bottom and put the nice stuff on top. After a while you cant tell the difference. I also use a concrete drill bit to drill holes in the rocks and attach them with wooden dowels the same size as the bit. The wood swells underwater creating a very strong bond. I have found you can fill in more space with less rock this way and you can create arches, caves, and pillars w/o fear of a rock slide

[Ikaria]

I would suggest using some eggcrate and zip ties to make some platforms. Would give you a lot more height, without the expense of buying more live rock.

[sea devil]

Your are off to a good start, I think a few more pieces of rock would do it . Be selective, look for those perfect shapes.

[ReefNeck]

I agree John....More Live Rock is needed/desired. Just doggone is that stuff expensive. I just bought some from a local reefer. 60lbs. Going to pick it up this week.

[Tim224DT]

Aquascaping is not something that comes easy.........It takes time. I would say plan on paper or in your mind what you want the rock to look like once you are done. Think about it for a few week then get some more rock then try to go off of what you have planed out.



Tim

[Loverotties]

Yes more Rock!

[sea devil]

When I'm adding rock, Step 1: I place it,Step 2: step back, look at it, Step 3:turn it this way then that way, Step 4: step back look at it. Step 5: REPEAT STEP 1-4 Step 6: GO HAVE A BEER! Step 7: Repeat steps 1-6 Step 8: Go have a 6 pack & LEAVE IT ALONE! My wife says I'm anal, I say I'm a perfectionist! Just to give you an idea, I put in 200lbs of LR in my 225 gal fish only. 40 hours later I went & got that 6 pack LOL. Bottom line...I LIKE IT. Nice arches, pleanty of swim -throughs. When I set up a new reef system, I'm sending my wife on vacation lol

[LadyReefNeck]

Originally Posted by sea devil

When I set up a new reef system, I'm sending my wife on vacation lol

Wish ReefNeck would send me on vacation while he's aquascaping.

[mbdave]

Ok I'm probably going to be disagreed with,BUT I say you have plenty of rock already. To much rock leaves no room for the corals to grow and fish to swim. Work with what you have, take your time, and relax!!
And yes beer is good.

[ReefNeck]

Ok, Let's see if I got this straight....I should get more rock, I should not put it in the tank because I have enough, I should drink beer, Arrange the rocks again and drink more beer. Then I should rearrange and go for more beer. After the first case of beer it will start to look good. Have I got it right?

[Joseph]

That sounds about right to me.