Got A Tonga Branch Aquascape?

Smite

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#1
I have no room to upgrade to a larger tank. As my current 66g gets more and more full I'm starting to feel my layout is very limiting and I have a lot of wasted space. I'm contemplating swapping out my rock for a 100% tonga branch structure. I'd be building the structure and cycling it in a bin in my garage until cured.

First off I'd love to see any of your tonga branch dominant aquascapes that you have. I've seen some amazing peninsula tanks with tonga structures, but not so many cubes. Surprisingly little results on google image for inspiration as well!

If you could explain how you set yours up that'd be great to. Did you cement pieces together? Tie them together? Just arrange them to lock and balance together?


How many pounds do you think I'd need for a 66 gal? I like the minimalist look from what I've seen so far. I want a lot of open sand bed this time around. Its just a thought for now. I know I'm gonna change it around and have really liked the branch look.
 

lowbudget

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#2
tonga branches will have limited space. you will get less space. a rock wall will give you more placement for coral.
 

beta110

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Mine is 50/50, I plan on adding 1 or 2 more branches next week. I glue mine....



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Smite

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tonga branches will have limited space. you will get less space. a rock wall will give you more placement for coral.
Maybe your right. I've been thinking about loosing my softies and focusing more on my SPS with LPS on the sand bed. Maybe it'd work out better if I rearrange my rock and add some tonga.
Mine is 50/50, I plan on adding 1 or 2 more branches next week. I glue mine....



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that's a sick tank! Great looking coral. How big?

Here is one...it was 18 x 18 x16

Very nice structure. Is there a specific cement you used?
 

jestersix

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Build was all done with Emaco R400. Quick working cure and reef ready once dry - no long water rinse like regular cement.
 

beta110

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Maybe your right. I've been thinking about loosing my softies and focusing more on my SPS with LPS on the sand bed. Maybe it'd work out better if I rearrange my rock and add some tonga.


that's a sick tank! Great looking coral. How big?



Very nice structure. Is there a specific cement you used?
70 gallon CadLights.


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#9
I had tonga set up on the edges of my Aqua scape but further realized it wasn't very good for coral placement. But here's a few shots.

Left side:

image.jpg

Right side:

image.jpg

At first I built a rack for my acans, but later had to take it down to make more room for my Acan garden.

image.jpg

Most recent FTS I have.

image.jpg
 
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#10
Just worth noting, I no longer have cyano :) idk if you can see it in the picture but it looks like a huge soar thumb to me.
 

Smite

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#11
Great looking scape scout. Looks better without the tonga. I guess what I'm looking for is a more open sand bed. Maybe I'll do some rearranging here soon.

And yeah I noticed the cyano, probably because I battle it too lol. The acan garden is a cool idea. I wonder if the can grow right up next to one another? Or will the fight it out?
 

s2k

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#13
I have a tonga setup - still too soon to tell if I really like it more or not. I'll try to take a picture later today
 
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#14
[MENTION=7067]Smite[/MENTION] I agree I disliked the half and half look. But very please with how it turned out now.

Acan gardens are extremely popular and the acans won't sting each other.

Here's a few pictures, because who doesn't like picture?

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
 

Tangwich

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#15
Here's mine Matt. First tank I set up with all Tonga and love it. So much room for my fish to swim through.

 

Riblet

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Here's my tiny tonga branch tank, I'll add some more once I take out the seed rock.
 

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