Please critique setup

[psidriven]

I just set up my 18 inch cube and really need some help with the live rock scape. I'm psyched on how it looks but the rockscape is very lacking. Everything was transfered from an established 20 gallon and I pretty much just jammed all the LR and LS into the new cube. So any advice, suggestions, flames appreciated. As long as you explain what is lacking. Thanks in advance. Damn, I'm excited. Spent a few hours just staring at it when I finished. Hope I didn't sunburn my eyeballs.

Tony

 

[DRC69]

Looks OK, maybe put the reg LR in the back and bring the branch more to the front and top???
I just love branch in nano setups.
You can build cool looking caves with the branch more to the front and enclose the back-up with the reg LR.
JMO.

 

[chocolateblnt]

Good setup ... however it looks like a jumble of LR. Flat pieces make good levels and you can use the other pieces as support structure for the flat ones. Only put pieces together if they lock up into each other or you can have a slide.

Here's an FTS ... you can see on the middle right side above the GSP's how there is a flat piece that makes a level and other rocks support it...

 

[jessp]

looks like some flat pieces are going up and down as opposed to shelf like, as chocolate said. those large flat pieces are perfect places to place corals, in shelf like fashion

 

[psidriven]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I admit I didn't spend too much time arranging. It was more of a get everything in there operation. I'll wait a few days fo the tank to settle and upset everything again with a rearrangement. I'll post some pix again and see if I've improved or just made a bigger mess.

 

[jessp]

i know how you feel, i just moved my 37 gallon tank about 3 weeks ago, and getting the second chance to place all the rock the second time around was nice. The move was a ***** took 7 hours. but the tank looks better now and the rock work is placed better. seems like your taking your time and you should be alright

 

[75reef]

I can't believe what I'm seeing. That's entirely too much light for that tank, everything will die for sure. Your stand needs a door on the front. The ballast sitting on the floor will burn a spot in the carpet and lets talk about that light. You have got to be kidding me. Did the guy at the hardware store design that for you? And the sandbeb, don't you read these forums? You can't keep a reef with a sandbed. It's common knowlege. Go back to Petco, talk to some more poeple, tear it all down and start over.


Just kidding. Your setup is almost exactly what I have. Good idea with the pendant. I find no use for my chiller even with a 400 watter. I havn't got my live rocks the way I want them either. Post some more pics.

 

[psidriven]

Haha, you had me going for a bit there. I was thinking "oh no, is everything going to die". I'm planning on rescaping on weekends and posting the results up for suggestions. Think there's way too much LR right now. I'll probably take out a 1/4 or even 1/2. Gonna try for a simpler, more open feel. Right now it just looks like a log pile or traffic accident. Rocks just piled up.

 

[noschmo]

Needs work and sun glasses for the fish and coral. Goes Trojans!

 

[psidriven]

Here is this weekend's redo. I tried to move the shelfs and round rocks to the right and back, leaving empty space in the left front corner. I used the left front corner for my branching pieces. It still looks cluttered but think I'm getting closer. Probably need to find one or two large pieces for the back to really get the scape I want. Let me know what you all think.

 

[Steven0000]

you know what would be cool

if you turned the branching pieces upside down and put them on the bottom that way there would be good flow even in the bottom of the tank

 

[Sk8r]

There are so many wicked humorists on RC---had me going, too. I was ready to protest.

I've used branching tripods as supports, but always wonder what's going to happen when the tank's calcium consumption finally erodes that branch into giving way. Doesn't stop me from having it that way.

Seriously, places to put corals, places to shade light-sensitive specimens, places for flow and small fishes to travel---these are all good ideas.

 

[psidriven]

Here's a new scape. Took out all the round and shelf pieces. Only branches and one stump like piece. Think I may take out one or two pieces to open up the scape more. What y'all think?

 

[newhere]

That tank looks very good. I would take a little of the rock out. It looks like the rock fills the tank from side to side with no room for anything else. JMO. A few side pics might help also.

 

[itz frank]

Doesn't look like you'll have much room for coral if you plan on keeping it. Try creating more shelving.

 

[chocolateblnt]

I like the 3rd version the best

 

[DRC69]

I like that look soooo much better.
Nice job.
Don't change anything NOW. Put some fish in there.

 

[psidriven]

Too late. My buddy brought up a good point. Any corals I buy or get will be on rock and I have no room for any more. So I'll clear out about 1/3 so it will have room to grow. See how it goes in a few weeks.

 

[newhere]

Post pics of the new rockwork when it is done. I really like the look of that tank.

 

[psidriven]

Here is a tank update. Moved some rock around and got rid of a piece. Might have to remove another piece just to get some more sand bed space. I like the right side, but still unhappy with the left. Still a work in progress w/o much work being put into it. Damn jobs takes away valuable reef time. As always, looking forward to any opinions.