AquaScaping and Stacking?

Hi guys, I stacked up my rock last night but I don't think I am 100% satisfied with it.... I don't think.

I wanted to get more a couple larges holes for fish to swim through but couldn't get the rock stacked securely enough. I am not using egg crate in the tank.

I used one big piece of live rock for a shelf in the middle. Overall I guess I am on the fence. Like I said I think I need more rocky, this is a 90 gallon by the way and there is about 80ish pounds in there right now.

That said think it would be better to go with two piles on the outsides of the tank rather than one long reef?

Also what do you guys recommend for epoxying? Is it worth it and whats the process like, does the rock have to stay out and be dry to do it?

I am starting to think two piles might be better and would give a bit more foot print in the tank for a sand sifting starfish eventually, though I am having a hard time deciding.

 

i actually really like it right now. maybe some more rock though.

 

Haha, I am back and forth, I think its growing on me I think I just need a bit more height with more rock is all. I just don't know if there is enough open sand left for some species like a sand sifting starfish. Mind you there is some space in behind the rock as wall at the back of the tank.

 

Did you make sure the base rock is on the bare bottom as to not create dead areas? If not, now is the time.

 

if you can I would def grab some eggcrate so you won't have to worry down the line. If you ever get any sand dwellers they could create a rockslide and that wouldn't be fun. Also if the stack slowly shifts you can create a pressure point on the bottom of the tank and it could crack over time.

If the tank is still empty, shoot down to Home Depot and get it and after you put it in you can re-aquascape again and may like it even better.

 

I pushed the rock down through the sand till it hit the bottom for the most part.

I've used eggcrate before, and from reading there doesn't seem to be that many people who use it really?

I'll have to pull all the rock out again, push the egg crate through the sand to the bottom of the tank and then re-do the rocks.

I've never heard of a tank cracking from a rock pressure point, have you guys? It's something I have worried about but not sure if it would really happen.

 

I think it looks good. Maybe buy some smaller pieces to build up both ends. Or one end.

 

It's most definitely possible, for me it was a no-brainer so I wouldn't have that added worry to think about. Imagine if a sharp pebble/rock got trapped under a base rock sitting on the tank bottom, imagine the lbs of pressure sitting on that sharp pebble 24/7 pressihg against your glass bottom. The pressure will fluctuate when you do water changes as some rock may surface out of the water and become heavier also.

I've used eggcrate in all my tanks where I have rockwork, never had any issues, never worried.

just my two cents, you will probably be fine, but I just sleep better knowing I have it in there with all the $ I've invested in my tank. Look at it like renters insurance, I've never used it, but I've paid for it the past 4 years.

 

I am not sure if plastic leaches anything into the tank over time but aside from that, if you want sand shifters, they will not have full maneuverability.

 

Are you dead set on a sand sifting star? I had one and it was useless and actually kills a lot of useful things in the sand bed. So I got rid of it. If you want something just to stir get some Nassarius Snails and/or a Watchman Goby.

I prefer a little more spacing in my rocks, but to each his own. I would definitely add another 20-30 lbs of rock though.

I attached a pic of my scape... As you can see I have a Yellow Tang also, so I wanted him to be able to swim throughout the rocks since I only have a 55. So I guess it depends on your livestock ideas too.