Critique my Iwagumi layout

[wastedtime]

Over the weekend I played around with some layouts and came up with this. Let me know what you guys think.

[smokaah]

I vote #2

[JMex]

I really like #2. #3 is a close second

[mcqueenesq]

Great rocks. #1

[Li@m]

#4 looks the best in terms of both sides linking together in the scape.

What ever scape you use, im sure it will look great

[Bunfoo]

#4.

#3 is almost the same I think? But that smooth sided stone doesn't look right.
#1 is too symmetrical IMO.
#2 is nice but the left makeup looks too man-made.

[wastedtime]

Originally Posted by smokaah

I vote #2

Originally Posted by JMex

I really like #2. #3 is a close second

Originally Posted by mcqueenesq

Great rocks. #1

Thanks for your replies.

Originally Posted by Li@m

#4 looks the best in terms of both sides linking together in the scape.

What ever scape you use, im sure it will look great

Thanks, I purchased some 30 pounds of stone from a member here. I plan on doing a hardscape only shrimp tank sometime this summer, I need to get the hardscape set before going any further.

Originally Posted by Bunfoo

#4.

#3 is almost the same I think? But that smooth sided stone doesn't look right.
#1 is too symmetrical IMO.
#2 is nice but the left makeup looks too man-made.

Thanks for your opinions, this is extremely helpful.

I like #4 too. 3 is the same except for the smooth stone,
#1 the stones on the right are too big and seem to take your attention away from the center.

[Bunfoo]

On second thought, try switchling the left-most rock on #4 to face the other way. Looking at it hard #4 resembles a smaller of the first, looks a bit strange. flipping the rock may also help add more directional tension and bring the piece to attract the eyes to overall.

[wastedtime]

Do you mean the one on the front or the one that is pictured in red or green.? I would think green.

[Em85]

#4. I agree with Bunfoo, #1 is too symmetrical.

[babyboyblue]

Number 3 or 4.

[neueklare_ein]

No. 4 looks like the right one!

[salmon]

id say #3 or #4. good hardscaping either way!

two pointers to mention. mock-scapes tend look way different prior to adding substrate so try to keep that in mind. also, make sure you wet or spray those rocks before settling on a scape (if you havn't already), quite surprising what a bit of water can do to change the appearance/color/texture of them, i forgot this step in my recent layout and i ended up with an very unwanted white patch on one stone.

[Bunfoo]

Yup, the green one.

[wastedtime]

Originally Posted by babyboyblue

Number 3 or 4.

Originally Posted by Em85

#4. I agree with Bunfoo, #1 is too symmetrical.

Originally Posted by neueklare_ein

No. 4 looks like the right one!

Thanks for the opinion guys, I will go home and make some changes and post more up.

Originally Posted by salmon

id say #3 or #4. good hardscaping either way!

two pointers to mention. mock-scapes tend look way different prior to adding substrate so try to keep that in mind. also, make sure you wet or spray those rocks before settling on a scape (if you havn't already), quite surprising what a bit of water can do to change the appearance/color/texture of them, i forgot this step in my recent layout and i ended up with an very unwanted white patch on one stone.

Thanks for the tip, Once I have the hardscape nailed down. I am going to be trying 3 different substrates, not sure how I am going to do that, but the idea will be to simulate the textures and color contrasts.

I washed all the stones and didnt find odd patches as such, but I will mist them and take a look before i finalize it.

Originally Posted by Bunfoo

Yup, the green one.

Cool, I'll post a pic up of the flipped one once I get home. Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated.