In Serious Need of Critiques Please?

[MichelleMas]

Does this look as aweful as I think it does? I think I will push everything about an inch back but what else? Should I just remove some of the smaller rocks that are just laid/stacked on top?

Before you guys critique: My HOB filter has an extender that I just had cut and didn't feel like putting back in yet. I will be taking out the bubbler on Friday when I get the two circulation pumps that I ordered.

 

[MichelleMas]

One more picture

 

[BrokenSpoke]

Well, I've seen better and believe me, I've seen worse. There is a thread titled "Tips and Tricks on Creating Amazing Aquascapes" that might give you some great ideas. What it really comes down to is 'do you like it.'

Here is the link to the thread I mentioned: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217633

 

[seabassfinn]

What about trying two different "groupings" of rocks? A taller one on the left and a smaller one on the right to even it out?

 

[davocean]

+1 on checking that scape thread, though it does not look bad it could look better, some of those rocks don't look completely secure on top, and it's nice to have a break between or changes in elevation rather than a delicately balanced wall.

 

[kurt_n]

Good or bad is in the eye of the person sitting in front of the tank, so I won't really comment about that.

BUT... that side view scares the heck out of me. Unless those rocks are doweled together, or epoxied, I wouldn't expect them to stay standing very long once you get critters in there. Rocks falling on to glass is something you really really want to avoid!

 

[jml1149]

This is for fowlr right? If it was for a reef tank I'd say you'd have a heck of a time mounting corals to such a flat surface

 

[OrQidz]

It's not bad - you are on the right track! I personally like a little more variation in height. Think hills and mountains vs something kind of flat across like a wall. But, it is totally up to you! Things to consider also: it needs to be fairly stable and you need to be able to get between the rocks and the front and side glass to scrape algae.

 

[reefbroao]

I think its about as good as you'll get with the dimensions on that tank. Try anything that comes to mind. That's what I do and normally it will just click.

 

[whosurcaddie]

I was going to say the same thing reefbroao. The dimensions are the limiting factor. I think you need to lay some of that rock against the back glass and get some more depth in your scape. With those dimensions your only going to achieve depth with rock up against the glass.

 

[ForeverNoob]

I think it looks pretty good. Have you thought about removing some rock and creating two "islands," having one a bit higher than the other to add depth?

 

[MichelleMas]

Good or bad is in the eye of the person sitting in front of the tank, so I won't really comment about that.

BUT... that side view scares the heck out of me. Unless those rocks are doweled together, or epoxied, I wouldn't expect them to stay standing very long once you get critters in there. Rocks falling on to glass is something you really really want to avoid!

I will epoxy them once I find the right setup

 

[MichelleMas]

I was going to say the same thing reefbroao. The dimensions are the limiting factor. I think you need to lay some of that rock against the back glass and get some more depth in your scape. With those dimensions your only going to achieve depth with rock up against the glass.

Will it be the worst thing ever if I go against the glass in some spots? Right now I am pretty much 2 inches from the glass on all sides. But like you said my tank is so thin I think I need to push this whole thing back some and create a little more depth.

 

[MichelleMas]

I think its about as good as you'll get with the dimensions on that tank. Try anything that comes to mind. That's what I do and normally it will just click.

For some reason looking at the rocks like this makes me feel anxious. I will move them around some more today. I disturbed the sand so much that I lost visibility and had to stop.

 

[MichelleMas]

I think it looks pretty good. Have you thought about removing some rock and creating two "islands," having one a bit higher than the other to add depth?

This was my original goal yet somehow it turned out like this. I think I will need to remove some of the rocks.

 

[ForeverNoob]

Is this the 60g in your signature?

 

[MichelleMas]

Is this the 60g in your signature?

Yes

 

[BrokenSpoke]

One thing I did when I set up my tank was to cut out a piece of cardboard the same size at the bottom of the tank. The allowed me to build various layouts with the dry rock, that fit the tank, on the kitchen table until I finally got what I wanted. I then took a lot of pictures of the completed setup along with pictures of each piece as I took it down.

The pictures made it pretty easy to set everything back up in the tanks and have it look like it did on the table. Since you are still in the setup phase this might be a way to go.

 

[Sk8r]

If you're going to have corals, kind of trust them to find their own growth pattern, which generally looks good, no matter what. Nature's kind of cool that way.

 

[MichelleMas]

If you're going to have corals, kind of trust them to find their own growth pattern, which generally looks good, no matter what. Nature's kind of cool that way.

I don't want corals right now but I want to be setup so that if I want to have some in the future that I have good places for them. I do think that as is I don't have enough variations of places for corals. If that makes sense? I am thinking I need more variations of high/low places.