Thoughts on aquascape

[WillyDilly13]

I've been in the hobby for almost 2 years and am looking for any pointers and thoughts on scaping outside of gluing rocks together. For some reason out of all the challenges this hobby brings this had been a challenging one for me. Constantly moving the scape around. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Peace River]

Thanks for being part of R2R! A couple of thoughts - consider changing the height across the structure to make it more interesting. Additionally, consider separating the rockwork into three "islands". Good luck with whatever direction you choose!

 

[WillyDilly13]

Thanks for being part of R2R! A couple of thoughts - consider changing the height across the structure to make it more interesting. Additionally, consider separating the rockwork into three "islands". Good luck with whatever direction you choose!

Thank you for your input! I've read the structures shouldn't be any higher than 2/3 of the column. Any substance to that?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Thanks for being part of R2R! A couple of thoughts - consider changing the height across the structure to make it more interesting. Additionally, consider separating the rockwork into three "islands". Good luck with whatever direction you choose!

+1 on height differences. Also be sure to maintain some caves for fish to hide out and/or sleep (you've already got some good ones there). In addition, you can affix rocks together with fiberglass rods to make some really nice overhangs.

 

[WillyDilly13]

+1 on height differences. Also be sure to maintain some caves for fish to hide out and/or sleep (you've already got some good ones there). In addition, you can affix rocks together with fiberglass rods to make some really nice overhangs.

I'm unaware of the fiberglass rods. I've tried so many times to create caves without gluing together lol. Everyone's doing great currently but I always know it can be improved. Thank you for your input!

 

[PharmrJohn]

I've never tried using glue. Or rods. But back in the day, one just packed in a BUNCH of rock and leaned it all up against the back glass. But things are done a tad differently now, as it's been shown 1 to 1.25lbs per gallon in rock is sufficient (we used to do 2+lbs per gallon). So I'll be doing both in my upcoming build. I don't want things collapsing on me. Aquascaping is one of my favorite things to do!

 

[WillyDilly13]

I've never tried using glue. Or rods. But back in the day, one just packed in a BUNCH of rock and leaned it all up against the back glass. But things are done a tad differently now, as it's been shown 1 to 1.25lbs per gallon in rock is sufficient (we used to do 2+lbs per gallon). So I'll be doing both in my upcoming build. I don't want things collapsing on me. Aquascaping is one of my favorite things to do!

I think one of the newbie mistakes I made was buying 70 to 80 lbs of rock for a 75 tank. Not realizing the water loss due to surface area of items within the tank. The fish have been in long enough to handle me going in to move some things. But If I were to do it again I would use less lbs of rock.

 

[exnisstech]

I agree about creating islands and varying the hieght. You can glue some pieces together and still be able to move things around a little.
I suck at scaping and am ussualy not happy with my work. The two tall rocks marked in red are seperate structures and reach the bottom. All other rock circled in yellow are seperate pieces and can be moved around tho at this point with coral starting to grow I hope I don't have to don't that.

This is another that has separate structures along with a lot of pieces stacked that can be moved. The tall protruding structure looked much better when it had a large acro colony up there

End view

Just examples that may help.

 

[WillyDilly13]

I would take those structures over mine so I think you're doin something right. Looks great! Maybe I didn't get enough different shapes of rock to accomplish that. I thought if i bought the considered weighted amount i could get it together well and boy was i wrong lol. Either way It's all a learning experience and I appreciate your input.

 

[WillyDilly13]

Corals are the next step so I'm really judging my scape to get it right before I start that.

 

[Peace River]

Thank you for your input! I've read the structures shouldn't be any higher than 2/3 of the column. Any substance to that?

Yes, that is a good general rule of thumb. Depending on the type of coral that you plan to keep, some people try not to exceed 50% so that you have space for your coral to grow out.

 

[Peace River]

I think one of the newbie mistakes I made was buying 70 to 80 lbs of rock for a 75 tank. Not realizing the water loss due to surface area of items within the tank. The fish have been in long enough to handle me going in to move some things. But If I were to do it again I would use less lbs of rock.

Kind of. One approach is to buy more rock than you need and then you have choices of various rocks and rock shapes when you are aquascaping. The trick is to not use all of the rock when you overbuy. You can always use if for a second tank or rehome it.

 

[erichatesmice]

I personally think that "mound" of yours will look great once it's covered in corals!

 

[WillyDilly13]

Yes, that is a good general rule of thumb. Depending on the type of coral that you plan to keep, some people try not to exceed 50% so that you have space for your coral to grow out.

Corals are a scary aspect because they are uncharted waters for me. I plan on going very slow. Considering I have a butterly and angel I don't know if I can trust yet lol.

 

[Peace River]

Corals are a scary aspect because they are uncharted waters for me. I plan on going very slow. Considering I have a butterly and angel I don't know if I can trust yet lol.

It is a bit of a dilemma. Be intentional and jump in. Take reasonable chances and realize that nothing is guaranteed (even if "everyone" says that it will work).

 

[WillyDilly13]

Kind of. One approach is to buy more rock than you need and then you have choices of various rocks and rock shapes when you are aquascaping. The trick is to not use all of the rock when you overbuy. You can always use if for a second tank or rehome it.

I have a second freshwater planted tank. The thing I never considered was cutting the rock to fit how I want with the mountain of power tools in the garage.

 

[WillyDilly13]

It is a bit of a dilemma. Be intentional and jump in. Take reasonable chances and realize that nothing is guaranteed (even if "everyone" says that it will work)

It is a bit of a dilemma. Be intentional and jump in. Take reasonable chances and realize that nothing is guaranteed (even if "everyone" says that it will work).

Thats where I'm at right now. Trying to decide my first coral. Been looking at a soft polyp beginner at my lfs but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[WillyDilly13]

I personally think that "mound" of yours will look great once it's covered in corals!

Lol I've entered the saltwater realm with the intention of corals. Just keep second guessing the coral stage when I got there.

 

[Peace River]

I have a second freshwater planted tank. The thing I never considered was cutting the rock to fit how I want with the mountain of power tools in the garage.

Good point. I typically don't cut the rock all the way through unless I am cutting the base flat. One approach it to score it and then break it from there. Another approach is to use a masonry chisel. These approaches will give the rock a more natural look. On a related note, eventually when your corals grow out you can trim your corals like you would trim your plants.

 

[WillyDilly13]

Good point. I typically don't cut the rock all the way through unless I am cutting the base flat. One approach it to score it and then break it from there. Another approach is to use a masonry chisel. These approaches will give the rock a more natural look. On a related note, eventually when your corals grow out you can trim your corals like you would trim your plants.

Thats the no man's land I'm in. Trimming a coral sounds insane to me. Lol