Aquascape to Optimize SPS Corals

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

I'm in the process of a full rebuild on my 120g reef, and would appreciate some input on ideals to optimize my rockwork for SPS corals. My tank is 48x24x24. I've been collecting pics to get some ideas on how to aquascape to maximize coral placement, and figured I'd post here for some ideas.

Would love to get advice, pics, etc...

Thanks!
L3

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

I would recommend a few "islands" of cone shaped rocks. You can epoxy sps from top to bottom and all around. the right corals scatterred around would be unreal and allow lots of flow/swimming room aroudn them.

 

[ryshark]

I would recommend a few "islands" of cone shaped rocks. You can epoxy sps from top to bottom and all around. the right corals scatterred around would be unreal and allow lots of flow/swimming room aroudn them.

I agree with this Plus don't put too many rocks and avoid the rock wall

 

[skiformance]

here is my first attempt at aquascaping a 80 bow front. i'm going to move the 2 pillars to the new 120. i made a cardboard template of the tank and covered that with a clear shower curtain. that allowed me to work without the confines of the tank

 

[layer3switchguy]

Thanks guys!

Skiformance - Nice work, very cool!

 

[jhildebrand]

Just tore down the rock wall and drilled rocks for an arch and pillars. I used square carbon fiber rods from a hobby store and epoxy to connect them permanently. Tank is 34" high. Since I have large fish, I wanted to not only maximize growth space for SPS, but swimming space as well. The rock is all in the middle so there is a ton of space on both sides. The arch will soon be covered in SPS frags currently in the basement tank.

My current project is constructing a suspended island(s) for the void in the center. When I figure out the logistics, it will go here:

 

[pisces4u]

Less is more for SPS...

Don't stack too high as they will grow up as they fill in.

Allow for maximum flow by not stacking rock against glass on any side.

Use large pieces for foundation as opposed to groups of smaller rocks that will create more dead spots.

Avoid placing rock in a line. Make islands closer to the back and some closer to the front to maintain your dimension and perspective.

Here's a front/back of my mostly SPS 50g.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Also a recommendation is to leave a LOT of room between frags, unless you're planing on heavy pruning down the road. It's very tempting to put 1" twigs 3-4 inches apart, however realize that's only 1.5-2" of growth they need to touch.

Also know your corals... montipora "cap" type corals... they grow big whether you want to or not, they will shade corals, they will grow up and around corals, so it'd toss them as low as possible in the tank if you're keen on keeping them.

 

[FishTruck]

Dont pile your rocks too high. Leave room for the corals to grow upwards.

 

[tegee]

The most successful tanks (and most TOTM winners and such) have very little rock work. I couple that I have seen recently simply have two island. And definitely do not stack the rock along the back wall too. It is far too tempting IMHO to use lots of rock. But if you have a lot of SPS growth the corals will make you tank look full instead of the rock work, etc. I am in the process of a new 180-gl. build and I am planning on cutting my rock by 50%.

This is one of the best examples of rock work that I have seen and I will incorporate it in my new build. This tank is awesome: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/totm/index.php

 

[ryshark]

I agree, that is my favorite tank. I already set my aquascaping up with 2-islands before I ever saw ReefBums tank...but after seeing his tank last March for totm, I was even happier with my rock setup as I remember him saying that his old tank basically crashed because of having too much rock packed in.