Aquascape - secure live rock?

What is the best way to secure live rock when aquascaping? I would like to create a more complex design. I was thinking of replicating the reef edge which would be a gradual slope left to right with a few shelf rock used as a ledge. Would wire be a good choice? I will be setting up a 6 foot tank in wall and viewable from both sides. I do not want the rock to touch the front of back glass. It can touch the sides if needed. This is also a 29" tall tank(215 gallon) and I will want the plateau(start of the reef edge) to be 20+ inches high.

thanks!

 

Wire would rust, I would imagine. I know people use PVC pipe, zip ties or something like water weld.

 

Take a look at the link in my signature below. Somewhere in the middle is my aquascape day. I developed a method of using PVC plates and bulkheads to use for 1/2" PVC then drill the rock that sits on top of them so it's totally stable. Once I've got a good base I use a combination of threaded nylon rod, zip ties and epoxy to secure the other pieces.

If you're interested in learning more and what I would change the next time around, PM me.

 

If you go with dry marco rock, you will have all the time you need to play with the scape. You can use a drill and then look into acrylic rods, pvc, and zipties. Some 2 part epoxy will help as well.

 

What are those PVC plates that you cut? Is that just a sheet of PVC?

 

zipties, nylon rods, epoxy, and pvc are going to be your best bet. take your time and get creative.

 

Yes, I will definitely take my time. I have about 75+ lbs of live rock now...most of which I want to transfer to the new tank....but I am not sure how difficult it would be to work with live rock as opposed to base rock?

 

dry rock just gives you more time to get it exactly how to want. if your working with live rock keep it in water until your going to use it. and if you can use wet papertowel to keep it moist after its out of the water.

 

get plastic coat hangers and measure the width, drill holes slightly smaller than width and cut hanger into small plastic dowels jam it in or wooden dowels done the same way would probably work too...wire would rust and probably leach metal into the aquarium water

 

I just got back from my LFS. Maybe it is the one I am going to, but he pretty much told me dry rock is crap and that I should be able to stack rocks without any kind of support.

I think there was another thread "Why does the LFS lie?" Well I don't think mine lies, I just think they think they always "know best". It is a bit frustrating and it reminds me why I don't go to that store very often any more.

He mentioned something about dry base rock leaching stuff into the water....not sure what he was talking about exactly. Is that true and what would it be leaching?

Bottom line...I am still going to use something to secure the rocks, but only to secure, not hold in place should something break with the support and a rock come crashing down.

Oh, and why is liverock so damn expensive? 100 lbs of liverock from the LFS will end up costing $500+. That is crazy for rock!