rock sturctures

This maybe dumb , but is there a preferred way or style to arrange the rocks in the aquarium for corals? I have a bunch of rock but basically just stacked them on each other creating a bunch of nooks, ledges, and overhangs for my fish. Should I think about rearranging them for when I start to put some corals in there? Also how tall should I make them. My tank is 48" Long x 12" wide x 24" deep.

What is the best way to connect the rocks together as well. I tried using that aquarium putty with no success.

 

Ideally you would stack structures so that you would have some rocks at the top of the tank against the back wall, while as you go lower the rocks come out closer to the front of the tank. This way you would have different levels of light.

The problem with your tank, like my 55, is the width. What ends up happening is the rocks at the top cut light out from the rocks below for the most part. This is the main reason I wish I had a wider tank

As far as height, that depends on what you plan to keep, and what lighting you have. If you have weak lighting, you would probably want the rocks up to the top of the tank. If you have strong lighting, you may not need them as high.

 

Thanks. I have not gotten my new light system in yet but it is a six bulb t5ho system with 10 blue led spotlights for spot lighting coral which should be as wide as my whole tank. I heard I could zip tie the rocks together and then use that aquarium bond to cover the zip tie because when it hardens it will turn purple.

 

Some people drill the rock and insert pvc to "lock" them together. I personally have just stacked all of my rock without connecting it. I have never had a problem with it falling, but then again I have a wider tank and I make sure all of my rock has support from the bottom up, which may be harder to do in a 55g.

 

Sorry, I forgot to also say that I did not use anything to bond or tie my rocks together. My dry rock is from Reefrocks.net (very similar to Marco dry rocks) and is very easy to securely stack.

Here is a pic of what I did in my 55:



Note that my original intention was for it to be a FOWLR, so I was not concerned with placement for corals. I do have a nice shelf up top for the corals that require more light, and should be able to fill up the other areas with softies like Kenya Tree (already have), Xenia and/or Anthelia.

 

The most important thing is to make sure your structures are STABLE...give them all a good wiggle. If they're properly stacked, they really shouldn't move much at all.

That being said, I had to drill and pin one structure in our new setup, which was a first. We also used some Mr. Sticky aquatic epoxy to firm up a couple of other places that needed a bit of help.

Also, IMHO, I'd try to not use the back of the tank to support the rockwork if you can help it. You can't see behind them, nor can you get any flow back there to keep detritus from settling in. The weight of the rock leaning on the pane can pre-stress it as well, which can lead to it popping.

FWIW, I absolutely agree that wide tanks are the bomb for aquascaping...after working with a couple of 24" wide tanks, I want ALL of our setups to be wider.

 

many people on here know i am a huge fan of the minimalist look. not just because it looks awesome but because you save a ton of money on rock, your fish have a ton of room to swim, takes up less volume, more volume=more water= stable params. just do a quick google search on minimalist scapes and there are some pretty sick ones out there.

 

How do you accomplish biofiltration?

One assumes minimal rock = less than minimal equipment (canister, HOB, wet-dry (bioballs), reactors, LR in the sump, etc). Having more water is indeed more stable in terms of temp, pH, etc, but the biofiltration isn't in the water.

I'm always looking for a new angle...

 

Hey

I want to add one more thing , it's not dumb at all , i was looking to the same subject when i started , i couldn't find any topic or help more than couple pictures for some disigns , and i tried to do it myself which was a waste then couple experts people came to visit and finally i got what i want , they have used the same way good people here trying to help you with , good solid base and you go up with some flat live rocks it will be easier to make like a balakony to put the corals in which will give the fish a hide place under