To Bonsai or not to Bonsai?

[SKAREEF]

I am moving my tanks in the basement up to my office( long story). I am also in the process of building a new tank. The problem, as always is timing and I need to get it out of the basement quick. So I bought a nice 48x24x24 starphire as a temp tank until I finish my new display tank.

To my question: I have always been a packed tank kind of person and love the look, and if you have seen my tanks you know what I mean. But I see a lot of the other aquqscapes so I thought since most of my corals are nice sized colonies, I thought I may try the minimalist bonsai approach?

What do you prefer and why? Pro's, Con's etc. Just curious.:thumbsup:

 

[Stolireef]

That's a great question. Have you search RC for 'minimalist tanks'. There are some amazing tanks posted there. IMPO, the minimalist 'bonsai' tanks look great if they are maintained in pristine condition. Sandbed is perfectly white, all sides of the tank are scraped clean (including the back), etc. I don't think they look 'natural' but they can be spectacular. I also think the maintenance is extremely difficult. I do prefer islands of rock rather than the wall so I guess I'm somewhere in-between.

 

[Frick]

Do it! I love the way they look although it only works out for the type of person you are. Me for example I am a frag hoarder so it would have frags scattered everywhere and loose the initial effect. If you can keep it clean it should look pretty awesome.

 

[Nibrown9]

I say give it a shot and see how it turns out..if you don't like it just full it in like you have it now

 

[bugs713]

Maybe start it out as a minimalistic tank, if you no likie, pack it!

For me, I like the looks of both packed and minimal scaped salt tanks, but prefer a simple landscape like my tall 185. For your new coming build, I'd say pack it full, like a natural reef would look. You have had packed tanks for years, you may not like it...

I find minimalistic tanks to be just as busy and exciting as a packed reef tank, It just comes down to what you really like.

Good luck!

 

[tdp22]

Bonsai!

 

[Nibrown9]

Why don't you bonsai the top part of the new build and pack the drop down section? Best of both eorlds

 

[SKAREEF]

Does anyone know what the Bonsai folks do to maintain the biological filtering ratio. Do you just stuff a huge sump with live rock? Also a lot of the tanks I have seen have little to no fish?

 

[Junktown]

Wheres the fun in having so little fish?

I think a.big tank with the bonzai look and lots of fish would be neat. Lots of rock in the sump.

 

[tdp22]

Def. small bio-load. A lot of those tanks are pretty big and just coral and some inverts. also creating your scape using acrylic rods or pvc you can make some crazy formations.

This is one of my FAVORITES

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1881861

 

[tcamos]

I think it's a great look for those who can avoid the temptation to buy more corals.

I think this picture (from the link above) is the perfect example of why it can look so nice.

There are lots of overhangs, highs, lows, negative space, it's art.
I say go for it.

 

[MargieInAZ]

I love the bonsai look and am setting up a tank right now with that style of aquascape. Yes, I think one key is a low bio load and good filtration system.