Tips and Tricks on Creating Amazing Aquascapes.

[jakeh22]

. I like the progressively building taller and taller tank but still has the 4 by rule

 

[saliva911]

 

[fish farmer]

Here's what I did with my 29 gallon.

This is the kitchen side. I have a PVC return line on the left which I attached a piece of eggcrate to with plastic ties. I built a wall to this using marco rocks and the cement they also sell. The right side was build up with marco rocks and live rock also using cement and aquastik putty. There was a cure time from what I remember with the cement so I did lower sections and slowly added water. The right "leg" piece and the piece above it aren't attached, but everthing on that side has stayed together for 8 years. The center tower is a single piece of Haitian rock.

Below is the living room side a month later. I also built an overflow cover out of eggcrate, marco rock and cement, that is on the right side of this picture. I have since removed it because it was restricting flow.

 

[Gary Ellis]

I'm a beginner at a reef tank. Tank is set up,but I have nothing in it yet. I have looked at many pics not all but I have noticed everyone is using white substrate. I was wanting Black Hawaiian. Am I the only one who likes black substrate? I think substrate is all part of aquascaping but doesn't seem to be mention in this topic. How deep should the sand be?

 

[lapin]

I was wanting Black Hawaiian. Am I the only one who likes black substrate? I think substrate is all part of aquascaping but doesn't seem to be mention in this topic.

There is nothing wrong with black sand. Be sure it is aragonite sand so it will help buffer your pH. It will make your tank look darker because black absorbs light and white reflects light.

 

[Gary Ellis]

There is nothing wrong with black sand. Be sure it is aragonite sand so it will help buffer your pH. It will make your tank look darker because black absorbs light and white reflects light.

It would be this... https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hawaiian-black-arag-alive-live-reef-sand.html

 

[lapin]

That will work. Be sure to rinse it. You will not wash away any good bacteria. It will help you avoid dust clouds when it is disturbed, like when vacuuming.

 

[Gary Ellis]

OK Thanks... The wife likes the black. So I'm going with it. Some say it looks dirty and hard to clean but I think the white will do the same in time also....

 

[norfolkgarden]

OK Thanks... The wife likes the black. So I'm going with it. Some say it looks dirty and hard to clean but I think the white will do the same in time also....

The black looks cool.
Diving on a black sand area north of Puako on Big Island of Hawaii was pretty cool.

 

[lacrosseboss18]

Looks cool.

My favorite thing is to build scapes, hammer, zipties and a bucket of marco cement with a bunch of time.

Great I need you to come over and create another chefjpaul masterpiece. Couldn’t be happier with my chefjpaul Tonga scape!!!

 

[Ardeus]

Iwagumi style

 

[becca10]

I love the black sand look. Makes my commute take really stand out.

 

[Gary Ellis]

Nice...Love the rock too. What is it?

 

[revhtree]

Nice job folks!

 

[Cesar Romero]

Hello, this forum has helped me allot and in the process of setting up my first tank. A 150 gallon, 60x24x25. Still in planing setting up stage, this is the aquscape I was thinking of using. It would have 2 inch minimum around the entire tank for flow and ease of cleaning. Plan is for a mixed reef, but mostly sps dominant tank gradually. Feedback always welcome.

 

[TemDave]

Here is mine. 2 arches, a mountain and an island that weighs about 160 lbs.

Lots of acrylic rods and putty. Fish can swim around both pieces and there is lots of negative space in my 8 foot long tank.

MAN... how freakin' AWESOME is it to have a tank THAT BIG!!! I'm working towards setting up a 230 island, but that thing is suweeet!

 

[revhtree]

Nice scapes!

 

[TemDave]

Here's my wip... its going to be a bit before I have my tank up and filled. Ordered my custom stand and suspended minimalist open canopy, still have more rock to acquire, brushing up, a few more parts to add to the set-up, and some mods to my sump. But I'm Lovin' all the aquascape ideas, help, and inspiration here on R2R!!!
Warmin' up my creative juices...

This will be my roughly middle (offset) tank spire. Pics are a bit deceiving... its 23" tall.

 

[TemDave]

Our kitters are loving the empty tank project...

 

[TemDave]

More structure building...