Aquascaping opinions

[Ball]

This is my first salt water tank. I have a 75 gallon tank with 90 lbs of Kaelini rock in it. The rock has been curing for 2 weeks now. I did a little rock work and would like some opinions on it. Im going to put some corals in the tank. No SPS. Mostly soft corals and LPS. Im not wanting to limit myself on the space I have to put corals. Im new to this and I would like to get a good start on my rock work. What do you think? Thanks.

[dhodorow]

Looks nice. I like the divided tank. Keep in mind rockwork layout for future coral placement. I like the basically large pieces. That is how my tank is also. So many people go with the wall look. Personally, I like to see fish be able to swim completely around all rockwork.

Dave

[Creade]

Looks interesting!
Is there enough room on the highest right rock to put any coral though? Not that you need to, but just curious.

[SeaView]

I agree that it looks nice but may not avail many places to put corals. That large slab is interesting but without any corals on it may just be a place for algae to take hold.

[erik921]

I'd like to see a few more shots from different angles, but from the one picture it looks like a really good foundation for a reaf tank (IMO). I especially like that pillar like piece. It looks like you've left yourself some good surfaces on which to mount corals. As is, its missing something - but I think that corals will fill it out and make it look really cool and unique.

[SHOmuchFUN]

Be weary of flow as well... That big flat piece standing vertically to the top of the aquarium may restrict flow. Remember, if you have flow coming from two directions, it's nice to have both streams meet, to create a more turbulent and encompassing current.

But I really do like this idea. I envision lots of corals, xenia, zoanthids, and mushrooms. Mushrooms draped from that tall piece would like really nice!

[Ball]

Thanks for your opinions. I want to get the rock work finalized by the time the curing process is done. I like the way it is now, but I wasnt sure if Im limiting myself on places to put coral. There is a fairly large shelf coming off the tall boulder that would be a good place, but thats about it for that rock. I could lay it on its side, but it looks more boring that way. Does it look like I may need some more rock or do you think some corals will fill it out enough. I want to have a few fish also.


Rock 1st put in tank. Just an idea of what the big rock looks like on its side.



Head on shot. First attempt at aquascaping. Tank was 1 week into cycle in this shot so it was still very cloudy. Similar to today's layout.

[SHOmuchFUN]

VERY NICE... I like

[waterlily]

I like it. Very interesting aquascaping. How's the Kaelini doing for you? Ammonia and nitrite okay? I've had mine for three weeks and was able to put it in my established tank in Saturday. It has lost a lot of the color that it originally had, but I expect to see new things popping out in the coming months.

[Ball]

Its been two weeks as of today. The total ammonia is still hovering toward the upper readings of my test kit. The free ammonia is zero. Everything else is zero. The rock had tons of colors at first, but has faded a lot. I have a lot of worms though. Came with a 8 inch long peanut worm. This is my first experiance with LR so everything is interesting.

[Ron]

I think it looks great. I wouldn't mess with it at all. That big tower in the center will look really neat with a bunch of corals growing off of it.

Ron

[JG1]

I invision that tower in the middle with tables growing out from the sides

[erik921]

I like it even better from the front. Great set up.

[skylsdale]

I really like the layout, but don't like how everything is supported above the substrate. I assume this is an attempt to create tunnels and things for the fish to swim through? I would simply let it all rest on the bottom as the arches and tunnels people try to create just look to unnatural. I would just let the rock structures sit soundly on the substrate--the fish will find their own nooks and crannies, trust me.

[H.I.D. KEVIN]

I really like the big rock in the center. Yes, it is one of the best starting rock formations I've seen on RC. SWEET...

[Ball]

Thanks for the compliments! . As for trying to create arches and tunnels, yes Im trying to do that. I also want to have it look natural at the same time. Im not 100% done though. Thats is why Im posting this thread. I really appreciate everyones feedback. It will help me create a good rock structure. I need all the help I can get as this is my first attempt at a reef tank. Thanks everyone.