Aquascaping a 230 gallon. Questions and Advice

Hugh Mann · Feb 25, 2022

Prior to this, my only experience is with a 55, so this is a big step up.

Details: It’s top braced, so I have 3 14”x22” openings, two of which are partially blocked by corner overflows. The tank is 30” deep. Top is also 6’ off the ground. If I stand on a ladder, my fingers barely touch the bottom of the tank if I stretch. I will also almost certainly be doing this alone. Rocks will be cemented together with E-Marco 400. I am also in a major time crunch, due to the guy looking after my fish suddenly saying “Need them out in the next couple days.” From the previous “take your time.”

I have about 65lbs of shelf rock that’s been cut flat on one side, and another 150lbs or so of regular rock. Most of it is cured dry rock, but 60-ish will be live rock. That will probably end up going in the sump due to the unusual circumstances of my situation here.

The big pieces of shelf, I want to use as my base layer for stability. Is it okay to just have it sitting on the glass bottom, or should it be siliconed/glued down for extra security?

Tips for working with the rocks through the confined openings?

Weasel1960 · Feb 25, 2022

Haven’t done it myself, but would still plan and glue it up outside of the tank. Then glue in manageable sections that fit through your openings. Check out the BRS video on HNSA. Was pretty cool how they made large portable sections.

Any chance you can get a Rubbermaid stock tank to set up as a temporary home so you aren’t rushing your scape?

Hugh Mann · Feb 25, 2022

Weasel1960 said:
Haven’t done it myself, but would still plan and glue it up outside of the tank. Then glue in manageable sections that fit through your openings. Check out the BRS video on HNSA. Was pretty cool how they made large portable sections.

Any chance you can get a Rubbermaid stock tank to set up as a temporary home so you aren’t rushing your scape?

I’ve seen the video. My only problems with making the sub assemblies is making them so they can fit through the openings.

Fortunately I convinced the guy to give me a week, so I have some time, but still not a ton considering I still have to work during the week.

Was playing around with some of the pieces. Came up with this, which I think I’ll recreate in the tank.