Zen Reef...Your Opinions Please

[GreenLincoln]

I recently tore down my reef wall and decided to go for a new rock arrangement after viewing the beautiful Japanese reef pics. So here is a pic, I'd like to get your opinions please. I may add a large rock structure just off-center, haven't decided yet. TIA

[FishKid]

VERY NICE!!! I would stick with that, but you may want to try different arrangements, might look even better!


mark

P.s. I might go Japanese with my 30 gal,

[srgtkoons]

Looks great GL, I was thinking of doing somthing like that with my new tank, that is if Taylor-Marks ever gets around to building, ;)

[GreenLincoln]

he he

[Biomanjcs72]

Very nice... Is That a Queen Angel in your reef tank!! Do you know, other than the rock arrangement, what the established criteria are for a "Japanese Format" Reeftank. I can see the obvious, but what rules do they follow when setting up the bugger (ie: feng shue, etc.) I've asked this question a couple of times on the Jap tank pics threads, but no one seems to know. TIA

[chromis]

WOW! That looks awesome! Is that a narrow tank? I have a 55 and am getting my rock next wedneday and I think I will try to repilcate that design with a few changes Looks great, dont know why the japanese get credit;)

andrew

[Ninong]

The pics of the Japanese tanks from the CP Farms photo contest actually depict various arrangements, or aquascapes. The only thing that is constant is that the glass in all of the tanks was immaculately clean. Oh, and you could probably say that each tank reflected an effort on the part of the hobbyist to express his own sense of aesthetics.

Feng shui is actually a Chinese concept that is difficult to translate into western languages. The closest in English might be ergonomics, but that doesn't express the metaphysical or spiritual aspects of the feng shui philosophy. Feng-shui translates literally as "wind-water." What it means is that objects should be arranged so that qi can flow naturally. The best translation for "qi" is probably energy or spirit.

The Japanese might be more likely to base their tanks, especially their freshwater planted tanks, on the natural styles of people like Takashi Amano. His tanks are almost all asymmetrical, usually in a 2:3 ratio if they are rectangular, and follow the Japanese gardening principles of arranging everything in asymmetrical triangles. These ideas would be easier to utilize if your reef tank was relatively square. It is difficult to achieve a sense of depth or perspective in a tank that is only 18" or so front to back. The best you can do is make the arrangement asymmetrical and include at least one fairly large cave to provide a sense of depth to your construction. Any overhangs or bridges would also add to a sense that your construction is not simply a Maginot line.

If your tank is rectangular and you have decided to use only two rock formations, you might want to have the "3" part of the equation on the right side of the tank since we read left to right and most people are right handed. The smaller "2" part would be on the left. If you browse the net a lot you will see that most tanks that are asymmetrical have the larger construction on the right side of the tank. If your tank is 60" long, just stick a piece of masking tape on the outside bottom 24" in from the left side of the tank. This gives you two areas to landscape, one is 24" long and the other is 36" long. How much rock to use is entirely a matter of personal preference.

If you want some ideas on asymmetrical formations, you could probably look up some Japanese bonsai sites for inspiration. Some of these shapes can be incorporated in a reef tank construction, especially if the tank has three or more elements, or if the constructions are not flush with the ends of the tank.

The only thing that really matters is that you are pleased with the final result.

Ninong

[mr9iron]

Nice job, Thats one nice looking tank.

[scubadude]

Very Nice!

LOL...I was thinking doing the same thing....ever since we started posting those pics everyone thinking changing their aquascaping now :P

[Tcook]

GL,

That looks great! I would leave the center clear of rockwork. The open space is really relaxing.

[Tee]

very nice!

[reefhead]

sweet,

how long did it take you to clean the glass

[GreenLincoln]

Bio: Yes that is a Queen Angel in my reef. She is still a juvie and doesn't pic at corals much, because I try to keep her well fell with sponge.

Reefhead: I dont have to clean the glass...other than going over it with my Magfloat every 3 days or so. Coralline doesn't grow very fast on the glass of a 360 reef. It only likes to grow on surfaces that do not reflect light very well or that are opaque.

To all those who replied: Thanks very much for your positive comments because I was a little freaked out about doing this!!!

[LisaMarie]

Very nice! I like the clear area in the center. Your corals are beautiful.