First aquascape, 40 breeder, any thoughts or advice?

[tag62001]

This is my first reef tank, I had a fowlr years ago and loved it but I was young and inexperienced and broke. I'm finally diving back in and would love some advice on what I have as an aquascape. Any improvements or ideas are welcome ( and I would love to hear if you just like it as well). I have some more rock ( and I would like to add an extra island or 2 for GSP and maybe mushrooms or Xenia.) Thanks everyone for your time. I very much appreciate any help.

 

[andrewey]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Can't wait to see this setup come together.

I think the aquascape looks really good- especially for a 40 breeder! Plenty of crevices and places to fish to hide and tons of real estate for coral placement!

 

[tag62001]

Another closer look

 

[tag62001]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Can't wait to see this setup come together.

I think the aquascape looks really good- especially for a 40 breeder! Plenty of crevices and places to fish to hide and tons of real estate for coral placement!

Thanks I really appreciate that!

 

[Uncle99]

Looks great, however, I would scrap the rock in front, little value and will hinder the flow across the front where you may have corals in the sand like, brains, scolymia.

 

[Soulpher]

Looks good. Try to cover the back of your tank with black paint or design the rocks in a way that flow can pass well though it and coral placement once it has grown can cover the back of your tank. Caroline algae will eventually start covering the back of the tank it will be impossible to clean.

 

[tag62001]

Looks great, however, I would scrap the rock in front, little value and will hinder the flow across the front where you may have corals in the sand like, brains, scolymia.

Thanks I appreciate it, I was just trying to figure out an island or 2 for the GSP and maybe Xenia. ( Or mushrooms) and didn't want it to be uncontrollable. I need to break a couple left over rocks and see if I can come up with something smaller

 

[DeniseAndy]

Just make sure the sides are clear enough for the mag float (or whatever scraper you use). It is such a pain to hit the rock or risk a coral when cleaning side. Hard to do in smaller systems, I know.

I like it though. Once you get a rock for the gsp or xenia, just add it in the space. Should be fine covered with corals. Will not look weird like the bare rock does.

I would also use some Epoxy to keep from falling over.

 

[BullyBee]

That looks great. I agree I’d scrap the rock in the front. How many lbs did you end up using?

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks I appreciate it, I was just trying to figure out an island or 2 for the GSP and maybe Xenia. ( Or mushrooms) and didn't want it to be uncontrollable. I need to break a couple left over rocks and see if I can come up with something smaller

Keep in mind that Xenia can also detach and you’ll find them in other places.
I wish I never put them in.
You can also grow GSP on the back glass.
I would leave the front open for some show pieces I know your going to come across as you build.

Below is an example of GSP on the glass. That’s what a quarter size plug looks like in 6 months.

 

[tag62001]

Looks good. Try to cover the back of your tank with black paint or design the rocks in a way that flow can pass well though it and coral placement once it has grown can cover the back of your tank. Caroline algae will eventually start covering the back of the tank it will be impossible to clean.

I did ok painting lol I've got the current USA orbit ic pro lights and 2 eflux 1050 wave pumps, a sicce 2.0 return pump. Reef octopus classic 110 int skimmer, filter sock, refugium with ( going to have chaeto and got some red pom-pom from the mother's day sale at algaebarn) and some Marine pure cubes ( I might grab the 8x8 yet as well) and I did my best to keep an outline with a 2 in safety space from the glass. Only one spot encroaching and I can fix it. And thank you

 

[tag62001]

That looks great. I agree I’d scrap the rock in the front. How many lbs did you end up using?

I think it's something like 47 or so pounds. I had a box of 40 lbs ( which came in at like 44 ) and a box of shapes ( 27lbs) and I've got about 20 pounds maybe 23 left. ( Can't remember if I counted the middle rock.) Would you suggest breaking some of my spare rock for smaller islands for the fast spreading stuff? And thank you

 

[tag62001]

Just make sure the sides are clear enough for the mag float (or whatever scraper you use). It is such a pain to hit the rock or risk a coral when cleaning side. Hard to do in smaller systems, I know.

I like it though. Once you get a rock for the gsp or xenia, just add it in the space. Should be fine covered with corals. Will not look weird like the bare rock does.

I would also use some Epoxy to keep from falling over.

Thanks, I tried to leave a space around my edges for the scraper. I have some epoxy I'm just very indecisive and wanted to make sure I got some opinions before I did something I couldn't change. Again thank you.

 

[tag62001]

Keep in mind that Xenia can also detach and you’ll find them in other places.
I wish I never put them in.
You can also grow GSP on the back glass.
I would leave the front open for some show pieces I know your going to come across as you build.

Below is an example of GSP on the glass. That’s what a quarter size plug looks like in 6 months.

I do keep forgetting it can grow on the glass, thanks. I know the Xenia can detach and I keep flip flopping on it but I like the movement, and I was thinking about a radial filefish to for it to host. ( I love the symbiotic relationships this hobby affords us the ability to see)

 

[tag62001]

Finally cycling. ( Don't worry lights are just for pic and to admire for a couple minutes, lightless cycle)