(aquascape) sometimes less is more

[giants4pc]

just figured I would share-I have a 55 gallon reef with about 100lbs of live rock. I't been like this since i started nearly 2 years ago. Even after rearranging the scape a thousand times (and liking it better each time), it just never had that "IT" feel. I've always tried to hide the powerheads so it made sort of 2 towers on the ends of the tank with a sort of dip in the middle. Tonight, I (on the spur of the moment) took about 20 lbs of rock out and basically evened the scape with some minor slopes and peaks. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I have so much more room for coral. I have Haitian rock which is extremely dense so this definitely brings the color and uniformity to a different level. A buddy is starting a tank so i'll just give the rock to him. i always thought that the more rock the better- i can't believe how much its improved.

[gman0526]

Come on!!!!, you know a picture is in order...

[Leviathan]

Less CAN be more I agree 100%

I used a mix of Kaelini & carib and used just 65lbs in my 90gallon, and love the different looks I have got with that amount. I tend to like a very open aquascape anyhow, so that amount of rock really gives me room to work with. ( Pun fully intended! )

[giants4pc]

don't have a digital...and if i did, i don't know how to post a pic. I know i sound like an idiot considering i have nearly 200 posts on this site. what's the easiest way to do it?

[Leviathan]

Originally posted by giants4pc
don't have a digital...and if i did, i don't know how to post a pic. I know i sound like an idiot considering i have nearly 200 posts on this site. what's the easiest way to do it?

Find a free host like photobucket then use the IMG button on the RC post reply option to paste the image tag and bingo you inserted a picture into the thread.

[gman0526]

Get an acct on a free hosting web site then post a link. Or you could use RF's gallery. :D

[Snakebyt]

take the extra and fill up your sump, its just extra filtration as far as im concerned

[Adonis Mt]

I'm definitely going for the "less is more" look right now. I've moved a lot of rubble from the display to the fuge and i'm in the process of setting up a 20g X-high, to which i will move even more rock. I love open sand and right now i've got very little due to all the rock.

[giants4pc]

it really looks so much better. I have to try to post a pic. the camera that i can get isn't that great.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I'm working on a 400G system and I too like the more open look. That also goes with teh size fish I have, it gives them more room to swim in. I'm still working on how I actulay want the rocks to look so any pic's you guys can post for inspiration would be great.

Since the tank will be viewable from the front and left side, I'm thinking of a "island" on the left side and a cascading rock work on the right flowing out of the back corner. To connect the two, I have a large peice of LR thats about 2' long that I was going to use as an arch between the two.

[IanInDC]

I was thinking about this myself: a lot of times people cram their tanks with LR... and they forget that more water is also a good thing. I definitely think there's a tipping point. I'm nowhere near knowing what it is, before, for example, I would say 80 lbs is better in a 55 than 100 lbs, just in terms of swimming space for fish and increased water volume and flow.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Here's a couple of pic's of what I have so far. The pile of rocks on the left are actually a bit higher now as i picked up some large peices of branching tonga rock and placed it on there. I think I still want teh right side a bit higher and to come out some more. That will give me more room for corals. I also want to move the "arch" higher as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/blown63chevy/400%20G%20tank/oct%2005/P1010026.jpg

Left side.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/blown63chevy/400%20G%20tank/oct%2005/P1010027.jpg

Right side
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/blown63chevy/400%20G%20tank/oct%2005/P1010029.jpg