Set it and forget it: Do you change your aquascape as your corals grow?

[Peace River]

Set it and forget it: Do you change your aquascape as your corals grow?

For many of us when we set up a new reef tank, we have visions of magnificent looking reefs teaming with fish and coral and we do our best to aquascape in a way that provides a foundation for that future glory. Others create artistic aquascapes that are amazing arrangement of rocks even before any coral is added. Regardless of how you start, there is still the question of whether to change the aquascape over time. Some reef keepers take a set-it-and-forget-it approach, others are continually tweaking their aquascape, and there is a wide range of practices in between. What about you – do you change your aquascape as your corals grow? Please tell us about your aquascape and let us know if it has evolved over time.

Photo by @RussiReef; ROTM April 2022


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[Waters]

I set up my aquascape using three separate islands so they can be moved or turned as needed, based on colony growth.

 

[tzabor10]

I set up my aquascape using three separate islands so they can be moved or turned as needed, based on colony growth.

Excellent idea

 

[liddojunior]

Now that the clowns are bigger, they are really annoying to deal with. They literally just harass and bite me and its started to actually get blood

So my clownfish tank is set and forget it. The multiplying destructive nems made me move all the corals out anyways

 

[vetteguy53081]

I plant mine in a way that they marry together without warfare

 

[shakacuz]

the idea is to set it and forget it, but due to change in growth patterns and flow over time, rocks do get adjusted from time to time. especially to even out the growth pattern without altering flow too much.

 

[moretor1]

Now that the clowns are bigger, they are really annoying to deal with. They literally just harass and bite me and its started to actually get blood

So my clownfish tank is set and forget it. The multiplying destructive nems made me move all the corals out anyways

Trade to lfs for a pair of ocellaris lol

 

[liddojunior]

Trade to lfs for a pair of ocellaris lol

They are ocellaris. But they are hyper aggressive. Will kill any other fish and invert in their tank.

 

[moretor1]

They are ocellaris. But they are hyper aggressive. Will kill any other fish and invert in their tank.

Breeding pair?

 

[liddojunior]

Breeding pair?

They have been paired up for over a year. But not old enough to breed.

 

[RedReefer]

I don't change it. Sometimes it changes itself!

 

[Bob Weigant]

I may move a few rocks around but the base stays the way it is

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Now that the clowns are bigger, they are really annoying to deal with. They literally just harass and bite me and its started to actually get blood

So my clownfish tank is set and forget it. The multiplying destructive nems made me move all the corals out anyways

Hold up, they draw blood from you? They can be nasty but ive never felt any pain from a clownfish bite.

 

[liddojunior]

Hold up, they draw blood from you? They can be nasty but ive never felt any pain from a clownfish bite.

Yup. Get little cuts and scabs from their bites. Most of the bites are just little red sores but sometimes they are deep enough to make me bleed.

They killed gobies larger than them somehow.

 

[kingranch2003]

I plant mine in a way that they marry together without warfare

You sure do! That is incredible. I'm a beginner and I'm only a couple weeks away from adding my first coral. I have to ask you. What was your first coral?

 

[vetteguy53081]

You sure do! That is incredible. I'm a beginner and I'm only a couple weeks away from adding my first coral. I have to ask you. What was your first coral?

Its been 43 years and cant recall and likely condylactus anemone as it was back then one of the few things you could find in a pet store other than Xmas tree worms

 

[kingranch2003]

Its been 43 years and cant recall and likely condylactus anemone as it was back then one of the few things you could find in a pet store other than Xmas tree worms

You guys that started all this are great. You all had such limited options and technology, that it's impressive that you kept it alive. I hope my journey brings me somewhere close to this one day. Thanks for the reply

 

[thatotherblkguy701]

Now that the clowns are bigger, they are really annoying to deal with. They literally just harass and bite me and its started to actually get blood

So my clownfish tank is set and forget it. The multiplying destructive nems made me move all the corals out anyways

orange aquarium gloves from chewy clownfish doesnt bother my hands anymore

 

[Reef and Dive]

Yep. I'm guilty of not allowing my corals to grow as they wish...

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

I'm regularly moving corals around purely because I made noob mistakes during setup.
I designed the rockwork to be pretty rather than functional & didn't realise just how fast they grow once you're dialled in.
So Monti's have shaded lps, green plays have taken over rockwork & been segregated, gsp has been relocated to rear wall, torches have been marooned due to stinging etc etc.
It's been a great learning curve as I know better for next setup.
Below is attached a pic of a Christmas Monti I mounted as a pound coin sized frag last year in upper rockwork.
You live and learn!