Critique my rock work.

[Mr. Brooks]

I know, I kind of built it with two structures in mind. Decided I wanted more space for coral placement in the end. Maybe I'll try it out. We'll see.

 

[DaveP]

I like it as well. I would actually remove one piece. Left center top piece (hard to explain). But if you remove it you would have two separate rock works which I tend to like much better.

I like that the rock is not too high. In the long run you will be happy as corals really grow in.

 

[spleify]

Looks good chad!! You will definitely have lots of area for coral placement!!

Spleify

 

[Mr. Brooks]

A lot of you want me to remove that piece.. hmm.. I just don't know if I want to mess with it at this point. I'm happy with it. It looks much better in person than it does in the pics.

 

[Paul B]

It looks nice and unfortunately all of your rocks are small and are difficult to aquascape easily.
If you put some of the smaller pieces together to make three or four pieces I think it would look much better.
I wrote an article about doing that a few years ago and I will see if I can find it.
I just re aquascaped yesterday because I needed to catch a fish that got too large. My largest rock was built this way and is 18" long but it was made out of the same looking rocks you have.
Of course it will look 100% better when you add corals but it is off to a good start.
Mine just settled and I think it still looks too sterile but in a few weeks that look will change as yours will.
In ashort while all that white will become more muted as coraling algae start to take over giving it a more natural look.
It's going to look great with coral.

I found that article if you are interested.
http://diy-doityourself.blogspot.com/2007/05/making-homemade-conglomerate-reef-rocks.html

 

[hyperfocal]

I'd pull one of the rocks out of the middle, and skootch the center base rock over a bit to give a bit of a break to it -- make it look less like a wall-o-rock.

Like this:

Just MHO.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Haha what a trip!! That does look kinda cool...

 

[DidYouSayReefer]

Much better. Don't forget that just because your rock structures are seperated, doesn't mean you are wasting space. Verticle walls are good places to put monti caps, which will creat more overhings. Looks good.

 

[Paul B]

The space in the middle is a little close to the center. One side should be a little larger than the other and the space should never be too close to the center. The best thing I like is your reflection in the glass

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Haha thanks!

I haven't taken that rock out yet. Hyperfocal edited one of my pics to show what it would look like. I'm still debating..

It really has a lot more depth in person. They pictures don't do it justice.

 

[maroun.c]

I personally tend to like horizontal flat rocks as they are just great to position your corals one by one and give them space to grow... smaller rocks are a disadvantage because they are difficult to aquasacpe however their great advantage is that you can always take the one on top out of the tank to drill it and peg corals in it or just epoxy coral on it. as well as making it easier to pull out specific coral for fragging or dips.... so it does have advantages. love your wood work, can you please pose a full setup shot.

 

[tibbs2]

It looks man-made to me. I'd give it a more natural look.

 

[tibbs2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13745481#post13745481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
The space in the middle is a little close to the center. One side should be a little larger than the other and the space should never be too close to the center. The best thing I like is your reflection in the glass

Thank god he had clothes on when he took the picture.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Haha

I didn't build the stand, just designed it.

Here ya go:

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=FishTankBuild079.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild079.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=FishTankBuild072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=FishTankBuild073.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=FishTankBuild071.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=puffer027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Mr. Brooks]

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=puffer026.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer026.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=puffer025.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=puffer022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=puffer011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=FishTankBuild065.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/FishTankBuild065.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=0826081539-00.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/0826081539-00.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I placed my order for 3 - 400 watt Lumen Bright/12k Reeflux bulbs/dimmable Coralvue ballasts yesterday. There's 12" behind the tank, the whole light rack will slide back allowing full access to the top.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Some of those pictures are old, I've made some changes here and there to combat certain issues that have come up. For instance, I switched my return pump from the Barracuda to a Dart. The Barracuda was way too powerfull.

 

[maroun.c]

Thanks for the pics.
I have somehow similar woodwork on my tank (the edges of the stand and canopy) the doors are very different though. I believe your door desing would leak much less light than mine.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Light leakage was a concern. That's why I had the builder place a strip of wood on two of the doors. When they're closed the strip of wood blocks light from leaking through the gap. At least that's the idea. We'll see what happens when there's 1,200 watts of light in there.

 

[LoudProudNPunk]

im wondering if that drumset is going to be by the tank when you have corals in there?

Im also a drummer and found that drums in the same room as a tank didnt work out well for me. But i think it matters how big the room is and what type of floor you have.

just a thought.

I like your rockwork but do agree it would be neat if you did what that edited pic looks like, its your tank though and if you want it the way it is keep it like that.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Ok, I agree, much better.

One with flash and one without. I'm using an older camera.

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=Picture022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/Picture022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view&current=Picture023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/Picture023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>



The drums are almost more for looks these days. I don't really play very often. I didn't have room in my house so I keep them in my office. I'll play after hours every now and then. What kind of problems did you have?