Help me decide on a rock layout! UPDATED POLL - 2 OPTIONS LEFT (1 new), want to hear opinions once again LOL Options

[Giannis86]

Thanks to everyone that voted previously. I seem to have made some progress in that tough to convince stubborn head of mine. Despite the several votes for scape 6, i thought it was not very interesting to watch and had very few hiding spaces
Anyway, I have reduced my options to 2, out of which 1 is new.
I seem to be stuck once again so i would appreciate it if people chip in once again.

CRITERIA & NOTES
Coral Placement: I am not looking to place as many as possible but i really want to create a contrasting effect between both sides of the scapes
Authenticity: The scape has to be somewhat unique it its way. Or at least not something you see very often
Space from glass: Although scape 2 shows little space, i will be fixing that so ignore it.
i will also be using egg crate under the LR to reduce detritus accumulation

Scape 2
2 mounts (might reduce the left one)
LOTS of hiding places
Lots of place for corals


Scape 7
1 Smaller mount and 1 short pillar
Less Cluttered/Clean
Enough room for corals
More swimming room
Very few hiding places








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OLDER SCAPES (for those who want to get ideas)

Scape 1
3 rock pillars
Less space for corals but hopefully i can crease a nice contrasting pattern with zoanthids
I might put the koralia between 2 pillars and the return from sump between the other 2 sides. End effect, a nice current between the pillars



Scape 3
Original layout (slightly improved i think)


Space 4
Original layout


Scape 5
2 mounts with current inbetween


Scape 6
Triangular scape. Not quite liking some empty space in the middle but can be fixed with coral placement;D


This post has been edited by Giannis86: Jan 20 2010, 11:04 AM

[D3monic]

I really like scape two. Very natural looking and It keeps things broken up with some open space. Rockwork is angled so everything would get some light. Nice little shelf about midway up on the rightside for a showpiece. I also like six but if you had something take off and grow like crazy it could end up covering the entire scape. Scape one is interesting but would serve a fish only tank much better than a reef tank. I could see school's of fish circling the columns.

This post has been edited by D3monic: Jan 19 2010, 03:27 PM

[micram]

I like 5 or 6. I don't like to put rocks that close to the glass, it is too hard to keep the glass clean. Just my .02

[Akwarius]

5 and 6 will allow you to clean the glass, room for corals to grow, and provide least dead spots. Considering how flow will travel in and around the rockwork will save you headaches later down the road.

[lakshwadeep]

I like six; you may want to prop up some of the larger rocks a couple of inches with small rubble because your sand is going to cover a significant amount of rock. Too many of the other formations are unnaturally symmetrical, and very tall/narrow pillars are not conducive to coral placement. The two island look would be more natural if one of the islands is noticeably larger than the other. Two could be better if you follow this suggestion. Five looks interesting, but you may want to place the "channel" not in the center of the tank.

This post has been edited by lakshwadeep: Jan 19 2010, 04:23 PM

[Hanser]

5 and 6 will allow you to clean the glass, room for corals to grow, and provide least dead spots. Considering how flow will travel in and around the rockwork will save you headaches later down the road.

+1 to 5 or 6

[JMAdams]

I like both 2 and 6 but I would probably go with 6 if it were me.

[mmelnick]

I say scape 6. Make sure to leave room between the glass and the rocks to get in there so you can clean the glass.

[mavalos01]

2 and 6 are the best, But I'd go with 2!!

[DulcyDoll]

I like 6. Lots of room for corals, and empty space can be for things you HAVE TO HAVE later on down the road (like a big rock of zoas!) And nice room for fish to swim.

I like 5 but there is not much room for coral placement IMO.

[D3monic]

2 is the better shape and structure but I sugest moving them alittle closer together so you got room to get a magfloat all the way around the glass. Nothing is worse than those little unscrapable spots.

[Giannis86]

I really like scape two. Very natural looking and It keeps things broken up with some open space. Rockwork is angled so everything would get some light. Nice little shelf about midway up on the rightside for a showpiece. I also like six but if you had something take off and grow like crazy it could end up covering the entire scape. Scape one is interesting but would serve a fish only tank much better than a reef tank. I could see school's of fish circling the columns.

Thanks for you opinion. I do agree with you on both scape 2 and 1. Scape 2 is probably my best best for a cool looking coral placement. As about Scape 1, if i were to choose that my choices would main include zoanthids and a nice collection of mushrooms.

I like 6. Lots of room for corals, and empty space can be for things you HAVE TO HAVE later on down the road (like a big rock of zoas!) And nice room for fish to swim.
I like 5 but there is not much room for coral placement IMO.

At the moment i am not hasty to fill this up with corals but i understand what you mean. However, i am already making plans for a huge tank (A massive cube in the middle of a room, 2.0m x 2.0m x 0.7m, total 720g). Although it will probably take some years to realize the project i WILL be doing it I already started saving for it

Thanks everyone for their replies. As about cleaning the glass, my plan was to leave space whatsoever, the scapes were merely just to look at different layouts.
i will also be using egg crate under the LR to reduce detritus accumulation

Anyway, i have updated the poll in the first post. I would really appreciate it for some extra feedback

[Marteen]

I like 2 and 6 personally. I would probably go with 6 since I like the slope better than the valley look.

[Champ]

Between 2 and 7, I like 2. But I like 6 best overall. Of course, it's what you like best that really counts!

[Bamato]

Scape 7. And put a big tall Euphyllia on the short table.