How do I aquascape a 4x4 cube?

[brad]

I have a 4x4 foot cube, about 28 inches high, viewable from 3 sides. I thought it would be great for aquascaping, but it isn't. O have mostly Acropora.

Anything other than a 3x3 foot pile of rubble in the middle of the tank feels like I am wasting space to put more coral. Space behind the rubble, along the back wall seems wasted. Any tall structures shade coral and use room it could use to grow.

I just got a 35lbs pukani rock, and it is curring now. I plan to swap it for some of the smaller, denser rocks, but am looking for ideas.

 

[chimmike]

IMO that is kind of what is cool about a cube. Your 'pile' kind of resembles a lone outcropping of coral in an otherwise barren oceanic environment. And because you can view it from 3 sides, you can place coral almost everywhere.

 

[dave.m]

Set your rock in smaller piles. Use an uneven number of piles, i.e. three or five. Triangular arrangements are best.

None of the piles should be more than half the height of the water column. That allows space for the corals to grow and the fish to swim.

Make sure none of the piles is even or symmetrical. That will give them more interesting shapes.

Don't get too hung up on what you think is best for the corals. Let them adapt over time to their location. Go slow. Move individuals that aren't thriving only after two or three months.

Dave.M

 

[FishTruck]

You could make a wall against the non viewable side with an arch out to a central island in the middle. I'm a fan of avoiding the need to scrape any glass that can't be done with a magnet.

 

[A1t2o]

3 island approach. It gives depth and variety. Islands must all be at different heights and varying structure. For example: Shortest is a mound that covers the most area. Mid height is a tower with steeper sides, but still shelves to place corals on, would be great for monties to grow out from. Tallest is built with rocks jutting out to make shaded spots below and good placements for corals the whole way up. That one would reach closer to the surface for acros that need a ton of light.

 

[brad]

Islands don't actually break the surface, you just mean separate rock structures, right?

 

[A1t2o]

No, not even close to breaking the surface. Just structures. Islands on an ocean of sand concept.

 

[brad]

So if I do 3 islands, would I have 2 in front and 1 in back? Or vice versa? I'd think I'd lose most of the space between the "islands", corals here would be hidden from view. I'd also lose any space between the back wall and nearby rock.

I am running bare bottom for more flow. I *might* change that.

I have a harlequin tusk that can and will topple unbalanced structures and lighter rocks.

 

[dave.m]

Sorry, but I think you need to free your thinking up a bit. You said this was viewable from three sides, so obviously the lowest, widest island will be forward but off-centre. The other two will be further back, wider from each other, but away from the sides.

Nothing should line up, especially with the sides. You need to leave room around the glass to bounce water circulation off of, so that means the three islands really are mostly independent of each other.

Dave.M

 

[A1t2o]

I would not do it symmetrically, just play around with the angles until it looks good. I would probably do 2 further back with 1 forward or 1 back 1 mid and 1 forward. Depends on the rock formation and how low you go with the shortest. Remember that you have 3 2foot long viewing sides.

 

[brad]

I have 3 4 foot long viewing sides.

 

[brad]

Is there a rule of thumb for what percentage of tank bottom should be covered by rocks?

 

[dave.m]

What does you inner rock tosser tell you? Use the force, Luke.

Dave.M

 

[SPS911]

Here's how I did my 4x4 with two eductors killing the flow up the channel.

 

[Dmorty217]

Buy penductors if you going to "add" flow with something. Educators are less than half as effective as penductors

 

[SPS911]

That's what I meant ... Good catch. Hammerhead gold runs them

 

[biecacka]

I created a "U" shape in the center of my cube. One side slightly higher then the other

Corey

 

[dave.m]

Buy penductors if you going to "add" flow with something. Educators are less than half as effective as penductors

To the best of my knowledge, "Penductor" is just a brand name for eductors made by Penguin.

Dave.M

 

[brad]

Here is what I have now.

Should I try to leave more sand open? If so, where?

 

[Dmorty217]

To the best of my knowledge, "Penductor" is just a brand name for eductors made by Penguin.

Dave.M

What I'm referring to are the ones made for mixing and are sold by a company in Indiana. They aren't made for aquariums, definitely not made by Penguin