Need tips on building a coral reef or underwater scene in 10th and 35th scale

This is one of the projects I am working on now.This one is in 35th scale, the Golden Scale for prehistoric models as far as I can tell.

I can't make up my mind which is right for Cameroceras. It was either a very large cuttlefish with a telephone pole of a shell stuck on the back. Or it was a gigantic nautilus wearing a telephone ploe. So I am building both.

So far I have two shells made. I'm working on filling the divots today.

Hopefully when I make their bases I can keep them less busy.

- Leelan

Thank you!

That's the best set of ideas I've seen yet.

When I do a search online all I see are tips for making kiddie dioramas for elementary school science class. No use for a serious modeler.

Here is one I did a few years ago and have since lost in moving.

The sand is acrylic craft snow. The plate or platform coral is index card covered in CA and sprinkled with lots of salt. The red spiky coral is the top of an aquarium plant painted and dry brushed. The sponges are putty either sprinkled with salt or textured with a toothbrush when still soft. The starfish are macaroni stars from the pasta aisle at the grocery store.

I did get so far as painting the beast before we moved. But I don't know where the model is anymore. So I am making a new one.

That's as far as I got. Thankfully I am not moving any time soon.  So there should be no chance of losing another.

- Leelan

For 1/48th scale I used volcanic rock which I painted purple to represent a certain type of coral. I also used some small twigs, covered them in white glue, then dunked them in silica sand and painted them red and orange to represent a different type of coral. Hope that helps!

here is the finished diorama.