Heres the first pic of my new tank

[sslarison]

60 gal 30gal sump/refuge. 2/175MH XM 10,000K w/ 2/110VHO Actinics. I love it. What do you think?

 

[tenshi]

Honestly right! And remember this is only my opinion. It's a good start, but I don't really like the aquascaping. Sorry. Recently I read an article somewhere on this subject. I'll try and locate it and post the link here for you if you like? I believe it was in Advance Aquarist.

 

[sslarison]

Tenshi,

What would you suggest? Constructuive Criticism is great.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Cover up that center overflow, man! It looks pretty obtrusive with it shouting right at you. More rock in the middle may help with this issue.

 

[Unarce]

Honestly right! And remember this is only my opinion. It's a good start, but I don't really like the aquascaping. Sorry. Recently I read an article somewhere on this subject. I'll try and locate it and post the link here for you if you like? I believe it was in Advance Aquarist.

I felt the same way, but wasn't forthright enough :wink: . The two flat slabs are an eyesore and break up the continuity of your aquascape.

Perhaps, standing them up might be a better idea. Form a drop-off or reefslope that you can glue frags on, or form one bridge on one of the bommies.

Minor adjustments to the reefscape is one of those 'nice issues' to have.

Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

looks good to me.

awesome!!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Since we're ganging up on the poor guy, I think the landscapings main problem is that its too symmetrical.

 

[Anonymous]

I think it is a good start. Break it up some and make it less symetrical. for the over flow I would use it to put somthing tall in front of it instead of building it up.

 

[sslarison]

Ok guys, Mercy! Mercy!
Just kidding.
So should I tear down the right side and lose the shelf? I say the right side because my wife may kill me if I touch the shelf on the left. She loves it.

Thanks for the input.

 

[tenshi]

sslarison I think that the two things that just jump out at me have already been said. Fatal Morgana mentioned the center overflow, but I don't agree on piling up rock around it because that will draw your eye to the center of the tank. In the article I read (and that I'm still looking for for you) it talks about placing something that will draw your eye to something between the middle of 1/3 and 2/3 of the tank. By doing so your create a balance of imbalance which is more pleasing to the eye. The article describes it better and I'll post a link when I find it. The other thing is mentioned by DanConnor and that is that its symmetrical. It looks like you were trying to balance something on a balance scale, which is also got to do with the whole imbalance thing to cause balance. Let me just find the article, it will explain it better.

 

[tenshi]

Alright, I found the article I was talking about and it wasn't in Advance Aquarist but part of a newsletter I received from Marine Depot. It's a two part article so there's two links:

The Fundamentals of Live Rock in Aquascaping, Part 1
by Mike Paletta

and

The Fundamentals of Live Rock in Aquascaping, Part 2
by Mike Paletta

I hope this helps!

 

[Ben1]

I agree, the aquascaping needs a little work, but it should be easy to fix.

I would also try to hide the overflow with some rock in front of it. Shelves can be nice but they are better when you make caves with the flat pieces, give fish a nice place to sleep and a more natural look. I would also lower all the rock away from the surface and give the corals room to grow. In a few years the corals will more then fill in the open water. JMO

Lighting looks nice and crisp. I was thinking of going XM 10KK with my next change over instead of ushios. How does it look with just the 10k bulbs, white or a bit yellow?

 

[Ben1]

Post some up close shots of your clams too, I love clams!

 

[Fastmarc]

Yes. I would agree with Ben. The rocks are too close to the surface. You have to plan ahead for the coral growth.

 

[Anonymous]

Your aquascaping is an easy fix as stated...Some more LR will help..It definitely has potential..You have good start...Good for posting here, hope you hopes arent dashed or feelings hurt....check out the members specs room and maybe get some ideas...or look in reef keeping mags like Coral or even AFM (aquarium fish magazine)...Good luck man..Nice lighting too...

 

[Fastmarc]

..You have good start...Good for posting here, hope you hopes arent dashed or feelings hurt....

I hope so too, because apart from my critic above, I like it.
You think you are proud now? Wait until you get some corals going.

 

[jsbradbury]

I believe its Takashi Amano that refers to a "Golden Spot" in every tank. A place that the eye will be naturally drawn to that should be the main focus. If I remember correctly its a 3/5 rule. 3/5 of the length and 3/5 of the height on either side of the tank should be hot spots. I know his books are for freshwater planted aquariums, but man- they are beauty.

I love aquascaping!

 

[sslarison]

Thanks all. I have already made some changes and will post more pics soon.