Help pick rock

[burtonboy182]

Hi
Interested in starting a new build. I would like to order a variety of different rocks. Im looking at BRS and was gonna get a combo of Pukani, Tonga complex multi branch and Tonga shelf.
It will be a 220 mixed reef but thinking of more SPS as things go

I would like to order enough so i have options but have never ordered rock before. I am not artistic so i don't know what to ask for or what i have in mind. I have looked online at pictures for inspiration.

Im ok ordering what i need and holding onto the rest of passing it off to fellow reefers. Im ok having more then what i need

I know im asking for a lot but what should i ask for, size and shape and how much of each type.
Thanks

 

[Big G]

I also looked on BRS. Lots of options. But I found this on Amazon: "Nature's Ocean 12-Inch Coral Base Rocks for Aquarium, 40-Pound" I bought 2 boxes of 40 lbs. So I ended up with 80 lbs for my 90 gallon mixed reef setup. Here's a pic of what those two boxes made: bottom pic was a rough placement. top pic is my final setup with water.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

One thing I always recommend is to be sure and buy BIG rocks. A few large rocks always looks far more stunning than a pile of little ones. Buy the biggest rocks you can find that are reasonable for your system. I have a 48x29x29 system and I have 3 rocks that are each 60+ pounds then another 4-5 10-25lb ones. It will be easier to aquascape and always ends up looking better.

Plus a hammer (or a trip via UPS Ground) can always make them smaller, or adjust to fit a space

 

[burtonboy182]

Big G - that rock looks nice and clean. Ill have to look into them.

Simplicity - I have a buddy who did that with 3 large rocks in his tank. Looks good but if i ever wanna change anything up it looks like it would be hard to move things around or change.

Any other advice or suggestions if i was going to order the Tonga complex multi branch and tonga shelf what to order or ask for or weight and size wise.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

Simplicity - I have a buddy who did that with 3 large rocks in his tank. Looks good but if i ever wanna change anything up it looks like it would be hard to move things around or change.

If you're like most people, don't ever do that if you have any plans for the next 48 hours ;Woot

Famous last words "I'm just going to move this one rock over like 3 inches", 12 hours later "I should have just left it alone". Maybe its just me ;Happy

 

[Big G]

Big G - that rock looks nice and clean. Ill have to look into them.

Simplicity - I have a buddy who did that with 3 large rocks in his tank. Looks good but if i ever wanna change anything up it looks like it would be hard to move things around or change.

Any other advice or suggestions if i was going to order the Tonga complex multi branch and tonga shelf what to order or ask for or weight and size wise.

Seems like the 40 lb box comes with 3 football sized pieces on the average. That was what I got, plus a few small pieces. And they were pretty clean. I power washed them anyway to get rid of the sandy stuff probably generated during shipping.

 

[burtonboy182]

Anyone have any experience with the tonga complex multi branch and the tonga shelf rock? And advice for ordering it?
Thanks

 

[Maacc]

I did pukani and tonga shelf for my 180. I still have to add the rock from my 45.

 

[spiraling]

I did the tonga branch. I think about 60 lbs for a 110 and used most of it, and had 40 lbs of pukani for some bottom filler pieces. (used half)

I would recommend looking at different aquascapes and deciding which ones you like best. google the type of rock and tank size + images and you will get a lot. I chose the tonga branch because I liked the more minimal look. Pukani is great for stacking, and can be cut with a hack saw. reef savers looks great, but is really hard to cut or drill.

In the end any rock will work, you need to decide what you want your tank to look like, which will determine type an amount.

 

[glb]

Marco rocks has good dry rock that's quarried and doesn't have organics on it. I used it for my new build and was very happy with the quality. You can tell they about your setup and they will send you the right size. Great customer service. As far as aquascaping the rocks, I'd find a pic you like and then arrange your rocks until you like the way they look. I taped the outline of my tank on a yoga mat and arranged the rocks that way first. It was easier and also safer than moving them around in an empty tank. I used silicone to keep mine together. It takes a lot of trial and error before you get it right but hang in there.

 

[Simplicity Aquatics]

I have always been a fan of arranging rocks in a dry tank, with no sand. If you can get a stable structure without water, when you add the water it will be very very solid. Sand will then help hold everything in place even more. be sure not to stack rock on your sand, or borrowing fish and critters can cause rocks to fall.

This of course requires the use of either a large water tank to mix the SW, or base rock where it doesn't matter if you fill the tank with RO then add salt. Having done it professionally for so long, I always have had enough water around.