aquascaping help

[mitchelWB]

I've got about 45lbs of rock ranging from little 1/2 lb rubble up to a 10lb behemoth and I need to get it arranged and secured correctly, but I'm a little leary of doing it. It's one of those things that I think once I've seen it done and been shown, I won't have any problems with, but for the first shot, I was wondering if anyone more experienced wanted to help?

I'll buy the beer, pizza (or gyros from the amazing little place right across the street, whatever), and all the pinball you can play if someone wants to come spend a little time with me and my rocks and help me.

Not all of the rock is in the tank right now... a little over 20lbs of it is in a tank in the garage where it's been curing for a couple weeks and I think it's all ready to come in now. But rather than tormenting my critters too much as I struggle to figure it out on my own (of course, with my lovely wife armchair quarterbacking).

I'm in Olathe on the southwest corner of the Kansas City area. PM me or email me if you would be willing to lend a hand.

MitchelWB

[Tim224DT]

Its onr of those things that you look at what you have and start placing in your tank and putting it the way you would like it. I got some pics on my site you can click the pic in my profile to see my site.

Tim

[mitchelWB]

I'm not so concerned about getting it to look nice, or how I want it to.. more just about what kinds of things to watch out for, and mostly, how to make sure it's good and secure.

[110galreef]

I never "secured" any of mine. Just simply put the larger ones on the bottom and as you work you way up go in from the sides and front to back...like a pyramid...so it doesn't topple over. A good way to check is wiggle them around to see if they are stable. Make sure to leave plenty of room for the fish to swim in and out of.

Plus it is nice if you ever want to change your design. I have changed mine numerous time as some coral or anemonees had to be removed due to over growth and the only way to remove it is by taking the whole rock.

My $.02

[reef_noob]

If you're interested in making a secure aquascape, check out this article. It's how I did mine. http://www.tcmas.org/Aquascaping.htm

[craigGP]

i'm kansascity-ish too, just about as opposite-side-of-town as i can be from you. at least an hour drive. you might find superwhizbang here on TRT. he lives down that way.

[mitchelWB]

Well, I went ahead and had a crack at it anyway.

I like about 60% of it... not sure abut the rest yet though.

The picture makes it look like it's really crowded, but there's actually some good gaps in it.. just not as big as I'd like them to be.

It's kinda a reversed horseshoe. It wraps around the overflow in the back of the tank and I can get to the coral all the way around it pretty easily, plust it creates a couple nice caves for my shy critters.

The marshall Island rock that was given to me is kinda tough to work with though... There's one piece of it that I like... the rest is kinda hard to figure out what to do with.

The good news is that my goby will hide and stay under his rock while I'm working on it, and the clowns just follow me around watching what I'm doing... they're more interested in it all than worried about it... so I don't think moving it really bothers the critters much.



MitchelWB

[512148048]

it has potential but you're problem seems to be that all the rocks seem the same size you dont have flat one and a rectangulat and ect. looks good though nice job 7.0 on the 10 scale

[wharyat]

It looks good, but you could get a little more out of it.

Take a hammer and chisel (use a big screwdriver if you dont have one) to some of the pieces to get some nice shapes.

[reef_noob]

Keep in mind that you will want to consider mounting points for corals, as they can be a pain to move once they've become established.

[Geoff]

the only problem i see is that it will be difficult to siphon out around the bottom of all of those rocks when it is time to do a water change.

other than that, i think it looks fine!

G~

[phiberop840]

I think it looks good, but the idea for future coral placement is key, i think. Otherwise keep it up.

Mike

[Tim224DT]

I like the look of it!


Tim

[mitchelWB]

Originally Posted by 512148048

you're problem seems to be that all the rocks seem the same size you dont have flat one and a rectangulat and ect.

that's kinda the thing... my rocks are all wildly different in shape and size. But a friend of mine gave me all the Marshall Island rock and that stuff is just tough to do much with. There's one one in there that's actually a good size and shape, the others were tough to find homes for.

There are actually about 6 or 8 different spots that all look like they'd be good resting spots for corals... but you sure can't see them in the picture.

as far as cleaning around them goes.. I think it'll be fairly easy. to clean around.. I get get to the CC all thew ay around it, just not directly underneath it all. There are two good sized caves down there, and one of them is home to my brittle star, so I imagine he'll keep it tidy for me. the other is my sand sifting goby's home, and as much as he moves that stuff around, I'm sure he'll keep it pretty well too.

I'll keep trying.. I'll get it. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[jennmac415]

I like it... of course I LOVE Marshall Island rock... I think all of the holes and knobbies make for a very interesting and open reef. I see lots of options for coral placement. they don't all have to "sit" ON a rock... they can be placed in the holes and crannies also., especially LPS like hammers, torches and frogspawn that have sortof long skeletons.

For what its worth...

Jenni