Tips and Tricks on Creating Amazing Aquascapes

[Augustus]

If anyone else is interested in a sculpting clay I thought I would post that the link MadBeach provided is actually for coating items sculpted from other materials (wood, foam, etc).

The upside is these guys also make a thicker clay that is designed for sculpting just like clay, which is exactly what I was looking for. I also wanted to note that if you don't need 2 gallons they have a 2 quart size for about a third the price. Thanks again MadBeach I've been looking for a while.

http://store.polygem.com/productDeta...8&categoryID=5

[Mxx]

Originally Posted by Augustus

Great thread!

Is there any type of clay or something similar you can sculpt to make fake corals, rocks and structures that is also reef safe?

If you want to make your own live rock there are a number of recipes out there. Look up DIY rock on youtube and you'll see some examples.

The recipes tend to be based around a mixture of plaster, crushed oyster shell which is otherwise used for gardening, and really coarse rock salt. Generally you create a hollow in sand to act as the mold, pack the mixture into the mold and let it set, and then soak the completed piece for 60-90 days until it stops altering the ph. I believe the salt dissolves and therefore leaves you with a nicely porous structure which will function biologically as live rock does. You can see some nice examples which were created, and some not so nice examples as well. It's all a matter of artistry and craft at that point in terms of creating something which potentially looks fantastic.

[Lavoisier]

Originally Posted by Jeff000

Great thread.

I always use painters tape and tape out the outline that I want on the tank, then stand back and have a good look at it. Make changes and repeat.

Great, practical idea. Thank you. Do you outline on both the bottom of the tank and the back as well or just one?

[Big E]

A couple of things I wanted to add if they haven't been covered yet....

---If you go through all that effort to make a great aquascape don't put a frag rack in there.......it's kills all the work that was done.


---One simple way to set up bommies with impact is to think of triangles. They don't have to be equal sides but the points add to set it off more give it a nicer look than a round or squared off lump.


---Another thing to do is put a taller coral that grows up in the front area. The tallest pieces don't always have to be in the back. Similar to the gorgonians & the toadstool are used in these pics below.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]


---You can also scan through freshwater plant forums for ideas. They don't have a lot of color to work with so they focus a lot on shapes of the plants & artistic design.

[nwnugget]

I found a really nice hunk of live rock at my LFS on Saturday. I think it looks very cool in the 3 gallon picotope I was also compelled to buy. Only the main "trunk" is touching the bottom. Plan to keep it bare bottom. The "branch" on the right comes toward the front. It looks a little like bonsai to me. The pictures don't really do it justice. So many nooks, crannies and caves from all angles. Professional opinions?

[mgproudfit]

I think that's an awesome rock for a pico.

[Veganbrian]

Perfect rock for a pico. I wouldn't change a thing honestly.

[SkyJunkie]

I just upgraded from a 55 to a 120. Thoughts?

[IMG]http://i50.*******.com/sy6nvt.jpg[/IMG]

[nwnugget]

Originally Posted by SkyJunkie

I just upgraded from a 55 to a 120. Thoughts?

Fantastic colors. I like it.

[426Hemi]

Not 100% happy with it, but it is the best I've come up with thus far.

Yes, the rock on the left is stable.

[mgproudfit]

Originally Posted by SkyJunkie

I just upgraded from a 55 to a 120. Thoughts?

[IMG]http://i50.*******.com/sy6nvt.jpg[/IMG]

Post your..........never mind!

What up CB!

-Matt

[SkyJunkie]

Haha! What's up?!

[swcc]

Originally Posted by nwnugget

I found a really nice hunk of live rock at my LFS on Saturday. I think it looks very cool in the 3 gallon picotope I was also compelled to buy. Only the main "trunk" is touching the bottom. Plan to keep it bare bottom. The "branch" on the right comes toward the front. It looks a little like bonsai to me. The pictures don't really do it justice. So many nooks, crannies and caves from all angles. Professional opinions?

that is one rock...awesome!!!! I myself would love to run one perfect piece of rock in my 60 cube...have not found it yet.. Maybe someday.

[swcc]

Originally Posted by SkyJunkie

I just upgraded from a 55 to a 120. Thoughts?

[IMG]http://i50.*******.com/sy6nvt.jpg[/IMG]

beautiful... perhaps if the two rock structure were a little more skewed front to back for slightly more depth... still... that tank is awesome!

Oh, I would clean the magfloat and powerheads to look brand new.

[swcc]

Something to also think about is the lighting of the tank... a crisp white light brings out much more vibrant color sharpness than a more muddled blue that so many favor...especially in your fish. Save the luminescence for when your moon lighting is on.

[nwnugget]

Originally Posted by swcc

that is one rock...awesome!!!! I myself would love to run one perfect piece of rock in my 60 cube...have not found it yet.. Maybe someday.

I just got lucky. Was digging through the rock pile, score. Keep looking, someday you will stumble upon it by accident. Lucky I found this thread so I knew what to look for. One of the best things to happen to my tanks.

[swcc]

Originally Posted by nwnugget

I just got lucky. Was digging through the rock pile, score. Keep looking, someday you will stumble upon it by accident. Lucky I found this thread so I knew what to look for. One of the best things to happen to my tanks.

no kidding. Perhaps the most perfect rock I have ever seen! great score and congrats.

[426Hemi]

Take fifteen

[JAustin]

[Mxx]

Originally Posted by SkyJunkie

I just upgraded from a 55 to a 120. Thoughts?

[IMG]http://i50.*******.com/sy6nvt.jpg[/IMG]

Beautiful tank! But if you're honestly looking for a critique, then I would have to say it could be less symmetrical and static overall with bigger gestures. If you had some ledges and shelves cantilevering considerably out then that would make it more dynamic.

Look up Zaha Hadid Architects for inspiration maybe!...

Of course, depends on what you're into and how you're planning to have this continue to grow out. Many prefer a more minimal and tranquil look.

Nevertheless, wish my tank looked that good already...

Someone had mentioned looking to freshwater planted tanks for inspiration, so everyhone, here is likely the best resource for looking at examples of these. - http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/index.html

[Lavoisier]

Originally Posted by Mxx

...Look up Zaha Hadid Architects for inspiration maybe!... ...

Someone had mentioned looking to freshwater planted tanks for inspiration, so everyhone, here is likely the best resource for looking at examples of these. - http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/index.html

Two great resources for design ideas (though without an artistic bone in my body I am having more trouble translating Zaha Hadid's site into a reef tank!). Thank you for the ideas.

[The Cardinal]

Great thread and insights!

You should write a book on the subject .

I am currently cycling my 910L reef and the aquascape is a very important factor for me and the end result.



- All equipment and pumps have been placed behind a wall of reef ceramics on the right side to avoid visual interference. This also creates a dramatic reef wall going up to the surface of the tank. From the right side I have then made the other parts progressively smaller towards the left side and I will have this in mind when the corals grow.



- For the middle part I have tried to make a spiral formation that moves in a circular and upward movement. This is a bit hard to see in the photos but I think it will look good with the right corals/planning/trimming.



- On the left side I have tried to resemble the vertical islands seen outside Thailand for example and also try to add visual depth by placing a smaller rock in the foreground (the plan is for this rock to be covered in ricordea later for the size to remain small).



To add interest and improve circulation and hiding spots for the inhabitants I have chiseled out several kg of rock to make caves that run through the rocks. This also adds visual depth to the scene and a three dimensional feel to it (also hard to see in the photos). I have also added shelves to some of the rocks but these will likely be removed later when the corals have grown to avoid a cramped impression.

I will try to keep the sand free of corals to keep the open spaces ... open .

I would highly appreciate feedback and pointers from you guys at this stage and look forward to more inspiration in this thread.

Greetings from Finland.

[ReefShrink]

OP - Great post!!! This is perfect, as my dry rock is currently curing and I wil begin my aquascaping once it is ready.

I do have a question for you. What do you think about the background? Assuming the back glass is kept clear of algae and as pristine as the front, do you think keeping it clear adds or takes away from the contents of the tank. If so then considering color composition any thoughts on whether a black or blue background works better?I guess if I don't paint it the background would be white (the color of the wall).

Also, I am still undecided about painting the background as I may place the tank up against a support column in the middle of the room that measures 15"x18". i have a 48"x24"x21" tank with a center overflow. The overflow would be the part up against the column. So one would be able to view the tank from the front, sides, and about 16" on each side of the back.

[Veganbrian]

Originally Posted by SkyJunkie

I just upgraded from a 55 to a 120. Thoughts?

[IMG]http://i50.*******.com/sy6nvt.jpg[/IMG]

Nice and clean! i would go with a previous suggestion if possible and maybe stagger one of the structures and add a small island off center in the middle to help give a little more DOF! looks great though!

Originally Posted by 426Hemi

Take fifteen

Looks much better then before. I will say one thing that is a little bothersome. It does look like those top rocks are just laying there kinda thrown in. You have to keep in mind to make the rock work look as NATURAL as possible. Like its been that way for thousands of years. It's a little bit to manmade. Maybe throw those on the bottom in front of the rock structure to help give it a little depth.

Originally Posted by JAustin

Looks good, One thing i'd suggest id giving all your powerheads a nice viniger bath, scrape the algae off the back glass and maybe raise some of those corals up a little off the sand. You will be shocked how much cleaner and newer looking your tank will be!

Originally Posted by The Cardinal

Great thread and insights!

You should write a book on the subject .

I am currently cycling my 910L reef and the aquascape is a very important factor for me and the end result.

To add interest and improve circulation and hiding spots for the inhabitants I have chiseled out several kg of rock to make caves that run through the rocks. This also adds visual depth to the scene and a three dimensional feel to it (also hard to see in the photos). I have also added shelves to some of the rocks but these will likely be removed later when the corals have grown to avoid a cramped impression.

I will try to keep the sand free of corals to keep the open spaces ... open .

I would highly appreciate feedback and pointers from you guys at this stage and look forward to more inspiration in this thread.

Greetings from Finland.

Looks great! It's not so much using the rule of thirds so much as its more of a pillar approach. But like i said, theres not just one way to make a nice clean looking aquascape, and you sir, have pulled it off. I do think that you're going to have to pay even closer attention to coral placement though. Hopefully you paid attention to the color theory section cause that will pay a huge role in your corals with such insane rockwork! Great job!

Originally Posted by ReefShrink

OP - Great post!!! This is perfect, as my dry rock is currently curing and I wil begin my aquascaping once it is ready.

I do have a question for you. What do you think about the background? Assuming the back glass is kept clear of algae and as pristine as the front, do you think keeping it clear adds or takes away from the contents of the tank. If so then considering color composition any thoughts on whether a black or blue background works better?I guess if I don't paint it the background would be white (the color of the wall).

Also, I am still undecided about painting the background as I may place the tank up against a support column in the middle of the room that measures 15"x18". i have a 48"x24"x21" tank with a center overflow. The overflow would be the part up against the column. So one would be able to view the tank from the front, sides, and about 16" on each side of the back.

Personally i prefer clear backgrounds. I think it adds a sense of simplicity and cleanliness. As long as you are not running any cords behind the back glass and you have a nice solid color painted wall, then Clear is the way to go. Black will create contrast and make corals pop more so then normal. Blue works for some people but im not a fan personally. The only way i see blue working nicely would be on very deep tanks to make it look like a deep ocean. Another option that i think is very cool is a shadowbox background. There is a thread already created on here for them too.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825

If you are able to hide all the wiring behind the column somehow then i'd say clear would work nicely. But i think that black background against a wall would be better. I say this because it will help distract the viewer from the huge bulky black overflow. Thats my advice and what i would personally do. Blue will just bring out the overflow more.

[Crazy_Beaver]

Great thread guys!Thanx for the info!