Aquascaping ideas

Stony corals grow in several distinct patterns - branching, pillar, table, elkhorn, foliase, encrusting, and mushroom to name the most common. Combine them to create beautiful aquascapes.

Maximize your space by placing corals on high points, on the edges of ledges, on shelves and at the sandbed.  Be aware of flow and lighting changes in each location.

While it is easier to focus on one type - e.g. SPS, LPS, soft - most aquarists want to combine a bit of everything.  Think about how you can design lighting and flow around the tank to create the conditions needed for everyone.

Think about designing your structure to enable lots of flow, allow for coral growth (they won't be frags forever!), and leaving adequate negative space for fish to swim and the eyes to relax. 

Barebottom or sand - those are the primary options.  Going barebottom makes it easier to spot and remove detritus, and run higher flow.  Sand helps cycle the tank faster and has an aesthetic appeal. 

Think of your aquarium as a three dimensional, moving painting.  The same principles will apply: the golden ratio, the color wheel, depth of field and negative space.