Is There a Better Way to Aquascape? Techniques That Change the Game.

You can aquascape better, trust us. Between Ryan's journey building NSA/HSNAs and Randy's testing of aquascaping bond strength, we have some tips, tricks and techniques to share with you to give your fish the home of their dreams!
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[@tammygreen7674]

The reason I will go to you folks for knowledge! The fact that you call it a habitat and you care they all fish are well cared for and not just “keeping fish” is why I like you guys. Truly impressed and grateful! I have learned so much and as soon as I am not so overwhelmed, I am going to get started. Also waiting for the dollar a gallon tank sale at Petco before Christmas!

[@mylifewithmarmalade4624]

This is a much needed conversation. I think as reefers we tend to have a problem of wanting our tank to be ALL the things. We want the mixed reef that has a million fish and grows insane corals. That’s a great dream, but it also sets us up for a lot of failure and frustration. The odds of having a tank that makes you happy and doesn’t excessively stress you out running for 5+ years goes up astronomically if you are willing to narrow your focus and make some choices to best serve a narrow population rather than do a half decent job of “everything.” Personally at this point I want that lower stress 10 year tank, and I’d rather be coral centric and aim for better flow dynamics and have fewer fish. I’m also totally the person who would rather spend 2 weeks putting together an aquascape that is actually going to work than throw everything in and decide I hate it a year from now just as everything is starting to stabilize and grow.

[@rja9784]

I have to admit, I never thought about the setup of my rock until I bought a flame angel. I did some research on the flame angel prior to buying the fish and found that they like lots of caves and crevasses in which to hide. I then rearranged my rock to accommodate one fish. It has thrived in my 35 gallon tank for almost 2 months and I’ve read that many people have difficulty with flame angels. I contend that we are building a habitat for our wet friends, not just an aesthetically pleasing aquascape for our tank

[@madmartigan8119]

I love the gardening under water comparison, it reminds of how in another video Ryan talked about how we are keeping water, in gardening you are keeping soil. No wonder I love both ❤❤

[@johnnyliu6271]

zip ties work great as a substitute for coffee stir stick. also easier to cut off the ends as it gets gunked up

[@dusk1947]

I think it’s a fantastic discussion once again. And I will continually applaud you guys for pushing back against consumer fads and trends; and looking further into the biological requirements of each species, as needed in this hobby. I think the addition of one term would help your conversation along: “Niche” I’ll quote Britannica, because I think it provides a through description: “Niche, in ecology: all of the interactions of a species with the other members of its community, including competition, predation, parasitism, and mutualism… Informally, a niche is considered the “job” or “role” that a species performs within nature.” What your discussing is the inclusion of that species Niche setting and behavior into the aquarium. Your clown harem was an example of mutualism and competition, once you provided enough anemone hosts with enough food; the Clows were able to assume their natural niche, and the colony became manageable in confinement. The same is true for the Wrasse example. It’s very true, we should include the correct habitat for the species we keep. I know I fell short of that consideration in my own tank. But consider why that species chose that type of habitat. You’re not just providing a place to sleep, it goes much deeper than that. (and I think you provided many different examples of this) *as to your questions: I lean towards "Aquascape". As I personally spent a decade in planted tanks, crafting underwater landscapes; I have a heavy bias. And conversations like this make me question my own failings. I look at my scape now wishing I had a few more caves. I did not craft an amazing fish habitat. And yes, I would spend a few weeks building the perfect aquascape. And likely will the next time I upgrade. There is too much to be gained by the effort, given how long we may run such a tank for. What is two weeks in the span of 10 years?

[@skillz_311]

Aquascaping dry rock has been done time and time again. I want to see you guys take out your current scape and working with wet live rock! I have a hard time finding videos showing how to do that, show us how to Rescape!

[@iglapsu88]

Ryan and Randy Rock! Thanks guys! Didn't know you could buy some of those intricate negative space scapes. Really cool!

[@simmo56able]

Perfect timing guys. I'm using the liquid glue with fine power and it works a treat. But your habitat discussion caused me to change the way I built it and build a little satellite home like the one on your table as well. I'm now also considering my larger fish (tangs) and incorporating homes for them. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@Bob-qx8ot]

It was asked whether or not it is an aquascape or a habitat that reefers are creating. I think one answer will not cover all circumstances here. Some people, particularly the ones that favor fish only tanks will be more attracted to the habitat concept. Hardcore coral enthusiasts will gravitate towards the aquascape concept. Mixed reefers would more than likely be attracted to the hybrid of the aquascape and habitat. What form of tank and rockwork that a hobbyist employs will depend on the ultimate goal that hobbyist is striving for. If you want to know which way this hobbyist is currently moving towards, it would be the hybrid where I am trying to maximize the beauty and health of each member of my ecosystem. Thanks for the video, good stuff as always.

[@jetskiwillywilly7970]

15 years ago....I went to a seafood restaurant...came home with bag of oyster shells from their 20' x 20' pit of shells out back. Spent a day smashing shells with Hammer. Portland cement, busted shells created 30-40 structures....mixed portland cement bio degradable soil fluff stuff. soaked the structures in water for a month...the soil stuff melted away. Left with porus, holely...light weight structures. The used 2 part epoxi to build reef. Very similar to what you guys have done.

[@benchaffer7397]

The glue with with powder from dry rock or sand over the glue and epoxy does wonders for maintaining the natural look.

[@jdamommio]

You guys should talk to the people who manufacture reef epoxy and have them make epoxy that is the same color as Marco rock!

[@artistic_spaz3724]

It's a "habi-scape". I love the rockwork process and I spent over 10 hours doing a new scape for a fluval 13.5, and am now getting ready to upgrade to a red sea reefer 250 and the part I am most excited about is the HNSA design/building process!!

[@lisafoster4468]

I definitely have wanted to lean towards the fish, while leaving some room for corals, but never really understood how to do that right. Thank you so much for the informative discussion!

[@chrisjones2661]

I would pay my part like 2-5$ a month to fund someone doing maintenance on Ryan's dream tank at his new home so he can do a full 8' reef

[@MatthewSmith-kb2bu]

I know this is an older video now, but Marco rock offers a powder rock now. I used 2 part epoxy (JB waterweld) and 5cps CA glue to do my habitat/aquascape for my new 75 gallon set up and couldn't be happier with the result. Used epoxy for the bigger joints that needed to fill more gap then covered with 1 layer of CA glue and powder. For smaller joints just used only a layer of powder then CA Glue then powder.

[@beccascott2867]

Cotton and superglue! You have to use thin superglue as thick doesn’t soak in

[@tylermiller5587]

Love the brs channel,

[@djtodorov]

I used a combination of glue, epoxy, and mortar. Glue for the light holds, epoxy for the heavy holds, and mortar to finish either joint off.

[@jdamommio]

I think two weeks up front is a small price to pay for perfecting something you will be looking at for literally years...

[@rfairlee707]

In the best tanks I have seen I don’t know what the rock work looks like because it’s hidden with coral colonies.

[@jjmccloud]

This is so true, I see so many i think that would look perfect but then you see some with pictures of just the bare rock before coral and everything and its completely ugly and something I'd never put together lol idk maybe that's the trick lol

[@TheTrevor40]

I build a structure that is best for SPS corals. Part of that provides arches and caves for the fish to feel safe and sleep.

[@cww180]

If you could procure or grind up the marco rock into a dust and sell it that would be great.

[@neilstemp7137]

I I was thinking of getting a Red Sea but you changed my mind about Thankyou what seems a almost impossible without years of knowledge

[@stefanwenninger598]

I used the crushed up rocks from breaking them to hide the epoxy. A lot of it turns to a fine sand that is the exact same color.

[@atfinthehouse8631]

Look at most reefs. Large swaths of rock piled up like a hill or ridge. Lots of crevices. Then areas in between these with areas of plants, sea grass, gorgonians or just sand. The sandy areas look like just rivers if you were on land.

[@daggergblue]

Ever thought about a mortar and pestle for grinding up the dust?

[@atfinthehouse8631]

Ryan think of flipping some or all of your aquascape upside down. Might achieve some of that ledging and layering effect.

[@Divingwithjoce]

I used gorilla glue cyanoacrylate for my rocks with the cement and it worked well (I tried removing parts and it isn't happening, at least not in the tank and fish and corals are totally fine), it's used a lot for freshwater stuff... BUT I had to use like 8 bottles, you won't save money with it. If I had known about the big BRS bottles at the time it would have been a no brainer.

[@titoprimo563]

Wayne World?

[@coltg1146]

I’ve heard the air cans have additives that can cause issues in your tank. Something with the buttering agents that get added in. Inappropriate Reefer had some trouble with it from my memory.

[@BRStv]

Interesting! We'll have to see if we can find that video.

[@jcee6690]

Yea I think hfa works perfectly 👍👍

[@carlosvillanueva8530]

I was at the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo Hawaii just the other day. Did you notice the jungle fowl that roam loose in the tiger habitat? The tigers often stalk them but rarely catch them. How about telling them to look at reefs, instead of looking at other people's tanks. They look at one tank, that looked at another tank, that looked at someone else's tank which puts their tanks four generations away from a natural-looking habitat.

[@REEF4life]

The look on Randy's face at 7:40 lmaooooo

[@BRStv]

hahaha!

[@porgwars5387]

My tank setup is purely for the needs of the fish. I don't aquascape/habitat for my aesthetic pleasure. If the fish are happy then I am happy.

[@atfinthehouse8631]

In water, not usually called a habitat. More frequently called biotopes. Or bommies. Also called zones or ecosystems. Marine habitats are used, but really general term, very broad. Correct, but just a bit broad.

[@mylifewithmarmalade4624]

28:32 I wonder if part of this is the result of most planted tank people having come to planted tanks specifically for the ”aquascape as art” methodology of Takashi Amano compounded by the understanding that most planted tanks aren’t intended to be 10 year tanks. While plenty of reef tanks get torn down and redone after 2-3 years it is typically as a result of “failure.” So I think typically after a couple short lived tanks either people get it right and have that 5-10 year tank, or they give up reefing. In planted tanks where the attitude is that these are transient works of living art that just like houseplants will need “repotting” every 2-3 years, it isn’t seen as a failure but rather an opportunity to try something new. This not only helps keep people in the hobby, but also gaining more practice aquascaping.

[@BRStv]

Really well said! In most cases, you're exactly right 😀

[@albertoestrada785]

I’ve seen KZbin videos where they use super glue with baking soda as the accelerator. Have you tried this. Seems like the baking soda is more pleasing to the eye.

[@albertoestrada785]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaKYin2Yj72UkM0

[@theberkshiresmatreasurehun5337]

Superglue from the dollar store cigarette filter Cotton and a spray bottle with alcohol and you can build what ever you want and you won't see the glue at all Cigarette filter Cotton where you want the pieces to come together and super glue not gel but regular and spray a bit with alcohol and it sets up instantly and you can go any direction with the rock you want free hanging and straight up

[@erich8756]

I love these discussions videos, but I can't be the only one missing the more sciency, investigaty videos...😇

[@BRStv]

Our weekly Thursday live streams (like this one) are more long form discussions, where the other videos throughout the week are probably closer to the sciency investigaty videos that you're looking for. But hey, we're glad that you love both! 😁

[@erich8756]

@@BRStv maybe I'm just not used to this new balance yet. Still thanks for all the great work up to now and in the times to come. 👍

[@ILmachiner]

I would argue your scape determines your live stock. Having lots of hiding places for your fish cuts down on aggression.

[@atfinthehouse8631]

There is easily 20 fish in that tank. Not many for that size of tank.

[@brucegelman5582]

There is a huge gap in our understanding of the species we are keeping and where they live and breed on the reef.

[@spseale]

Guys, I don't see a link that you're pointing to at 1:45:41 Can you add those please?

[@BRStv]

I think this is the one you're looking for 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2XXhWatp6d5Z8k

[@andrewcourrier983]

I am moving 5 year old ocean live rock to a new tank. Could these techniques still apply?

[@BRStv]

Absolutely! You'll just have to be careful to keep the rock wet when working with it. More messy and difficult to do, but not impossible!

[@Dragon.Scribe]

do you guys know of any 3d print material that is safe for the reef tank, with the idea to print some "scapes" habitat, [Also want to print a hospital for the quarantine tank]

[@BRStv]

Most reefers who 3D print will use PETG. It seems to be agreed upon that PETG is "reef safe"

[@atfinthehouse8631]

What was the first bonzai tree support system made of?

[@BRStv]

Great question! We're actually not sure! That screenshot was from another reefers' Instagram. Here is a link to it if you wanted to send them a PM. I'm sure they'd be willing to share 🙂 instagram.com/choiwonseok_reef/

[@maryhuynh5172]

How do you create large enough habitats for Tangs?

[@BRStv]

Part of the habitat discussion for fish like tangs should probably include the tank itself. Tank dimensions will play a big role in providing the natural habitat (and swimming space) that most tangs require.

[@jesusbarajas9444]

is there an update on Ryans bonzai tank?

[@BRStv]

If you're referring to Ryan's 360 gallon system, he's been posting updates on his Facebook page, Facebook.com/BRStvguy

[@jdamommio]

Why is reef epoxy colored grey and pink? Off-white colored epoxy seems like it would be a no-brainer here...

[@BRStv]

A Marco Rock colored epoxy would be awesome!

[@gonefishing5536]

I think 90% of people aquascape, 🤔 I think habitat would more delve into species specific tanks which most people don't do.

[@emmanuelgutierrez8616]

It's fine to stream it, but please trimming it down before posting as a video.

[@ReRe-yl6dq]

where can we buy those predone aquascapes?

[@BRStv]

A lot of them are custom made, but the Caribsea tree kit that Ryan and Randy talked about can be found here: www.bulkreefsupply.com/liferock-reef-tree-aquascape-kit-caribsea.html

[@danielmancini615]

I see 11 fish

[@rja9784]

IMO, that ‘globe rock work’ was hideous and completely unnatural. But, to each his own. I’m sure a lot of people loved it

[@jimmylin8226]

What part of the video do they show it? Time stamp?

[@BRStv]

7:10 🙂

[@alanschulz9169]

What is up with these 90 minute videos? Is your videographer to busy to edit them down?

[@BRStv]

Hey Alan, We do a livestream once each week on Thursdays. Usually around an hour discussion, but they do sometimes run longer if Ryan and Randy have a lot to say 🙂

[@andyhernandez7862]

Shut up Alan, some of enjoy these information packed discussions