Aquascaping Live Rock?

Next weekend I'm finally picking up my live rock. So I'm starting to do some research on what it will take to aquascape it when we get home with it.

We have a 200 gal DD and we're picking up 200 lbs of live rock. The rock will be fully cured when I pick it up 5 hours from home and we'll immediately drive home and begin putting it together.

Had a couple of quick questions:

How long can we have the rock out of the water while we aquascape before it harms it?

What is the best method of connecting the rock together and can this be done while the rock is out of water without being harmful?

Thanks!

 

you pretty much just stack the rock together in the tank anyway you like it. just make sure the pieces stack together sturdy. it is easy. the main thing is to keep the rock wet. some wrap it in news paper. i would bring someone with me when you get the rock and bring spray bottles full of saltwater. put the rock in a rubbermaid and have someone spray it to keep it wet. there is always SOME dieoff but just keep it wet.

 

I drilled and pegged mine to get the look I wanted. I used putty in a few areas just to cover some areas but outcome was great for what I wanted. I did the stack thing but after changing it non stop I after a year took it all out and made it the way I want. I was out of water 4-5 hrs with no issues.

 

After doing some reading sounds like maybe the drill/pegging is the way to go.

Excellent. Thanks!

 

no problem its way easier then most think. I am fortunate that I am a mason so I am used to working with rock but I spent 25 bucks on 2 drill bits one for the pvc and one for the nylon rods I peged with.

 

you'd be my reef hero if you did your rock this way, I always post this pic it's my fav scape, but it is for the deeper tanks:

 

Wow, that picture is awesome!