Which rockscape for BC8 Mantis tank

[Mustang Boy]

Ok, I am setting up a tank for an N. Wennerae. Tank will be a BC8 with PC lighting and an MJ1200 pump with a HydorFlo on the return. Rock will be placed on a section of eggcrate then 1.5in of sand. Here are the scapes I made that I liked. Towel is there to protect the glass while I moved rocks around.

 

Edit. Should add the tank will be planted and only corals will be zoas, shrooms, and the likes.

 

1. Simple with 1 rock, has 2-3 caves though.

 

 

2. 2 rocks, 2 caves. Rock on the right has a hole in the side almost dead center.

 

 

3. Same 2 rocks just arranged differently.

 

 

4. Same 1st rock with different 2nd rock.

 

 

5. Same 2 different arrangement.

 

 

So which scape do you guys think would work out the best?

[Mustang Boy]

So far it is a 3 way tie. Let's get some more votes and comments about why you chose your choice.

[cju84]

Kinda hard to tell without light on and the towel in there. Why not put sand/water in and then move them around?

[Mustang Boy]

Cause then everything gets wet, and I have to deal with tracking water everywhere while I move rocks around.

[Tamberav]

I went with option 3. I think the two peaks will give a fair amount of room for zoa's but it still looks natural. The two rocks blend together really nice.

 

option 1 is also nice but less room for coral.

[k4ndyk1ng]

I went for option 4 depending on the steepness of the rock on the right.

[mrBananas]

Keep it simple. If for any reason you have to move things, you know there's only one rock it can be under. Plus there's open real-estate for jogs along the beach (feeding/flexing zone) and you could plant a toadstool (think palm tree) for him to hang a hammock from!

[charnelhouse]

Went with 1. Easier to find the critter if you need to. Less chance of losing a finger. Plus you'll see it more.

 

Coral wise it is a little limited, but that's not the point of this tank right?

[kzv20]

1 for me. More room to seem what the mantis is up too.