As seen in this thread, I'm in the process of starting up a 90g FOWLR tank. Today the water became clear enough to see the dry rock (which was just placed randomly in the tank for now). Of course, there's no life on the rock now, but I'll be seeding it with some live rock soon.
Maybe it's a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing, but I think that, all things considered, it's looking pretty good right now... I'm really pleased with the rocks from hirocks.com.
However, my wife expressed her disappointment in the appearance of the tank today... "it's ugly."
Me: "But I've barely even begun... the tank is in its infancy, and it will look better in time."
Her: "Are those rocks going to be the only decorations in the tank? Aren't we going to add other stuff?"
Me: "You mean like little treasure chests that open and close? No. I'll add some live rock, which will seed this rock and it will have some nice growth." (wife begins to get the glazed-over look in the eyes that happens when I start getting into too much detail)
Her: "Well, it looks nothing like what I had imagined. It looks like something that you'd put an iguana in, minus the water of course."
Me: "Trust me, neat stuff will grow on these rocks and it will look nice. And once the colorful fish are in there, it will look much more lively."
Her: "Hmmmm...."
Now, one quick note... yes, my wife is just about as impatient as I am, but I have the benefit of having my impatience tempered by months of research. In other words, she and I both want a beautiful aquarium NOW, but I am well aware that it doesn't happen overnight (and am trying to convince her of this too).
Anyway, I'm calling in reinforcements... I need to show her some good photos of what this rock will hopefully look like in 6 months or a year. So, if you have a FOWLR (please, no full-blown reef photos... the last thing I need is to fend off a bout of reef-envy from her), please post here!
Thanks!
--Mike

Maybe it's a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing, but I think that, all things considered, it's looking pretty good right now... I'm really pleased with the rocks from hirocks.com.
However, my wife expressed her disappointment in the appearance of the tank today... "it's ugly."
Me: "But I've barely even begun... the tank is in its infancy, and it will look better in time."
Her: "Are those rocks going to be the only decorations in the tank? Aren't we going to add other stuff?"
Me: "You mean like little treasure chests that open and close? No. I'll add some live rock, which will seed this rock and it will have some nice growth." (wife begins to get the glazed-over look in the eyes that happens when I start getting into too much detail)
Her: "Well, it looks nothing like what I had imagined. It looks like something that you'd put an iguana in, minus the water of course."
Me: "Trust me, neat stuff will grow on these rocks and it will look nice. And once the colorful fish are in there, it will look much more lively."
Her: "Hmmmm...."
Now, one quick note... yes, my wife is just about as impatient as I am, but I have the benefit of having my impatience tempered by months of research. In other words, she and I both want a beautiful aquarium NOW, but I am well aware that it doesn't happen overnight (and am trying to convince her of this too).
Anyway, I'm calling in reinforcements... I need to show her some good photos of what this rock will hopefully look like in 6 months or a year. So, if you have a FOWLR (please, no full-blown reef photos... the last thing I need is to fend off a bout of reef-envy from her), please post here!
Thanks!
--Mike