Live Rock depth

TnFishwater98 · Sep 27, 2020

I’ve seen some cool pics of shallow reef tanks and they have LR above the tank and water line. Looks sweet but I wonder if there has be any negative outcomes from this type of aquscape...?...It would be cool to have the wave makers have the “waves” crash into the LR. If this isn’t a good idea, then I ask how shallow can you put live rock to the waterline?
Thanks
BD

JumboShrimp · Sep 28, 2020

If your rock work goes above the waterline (and I’m assuming you mean above the level of the tank), does that mean you plan on “no” screen or glass top on the tank to keep fish from jumping?

TnFishwater98 · Sep 28, 2020

Correct, or a modified screen. Just asking about any other extra labor or possible tank headaches with exposed rock that rises above the water live. Doesn’t even gave to go above the tank if you gave a little lower water level. Just thinking outloud and thought of one thing. How to clean the above water rock..... Vacuum I guess....

Anthony Scholfield · Sep 28, 2020

i have a setup where a small portion of one of the rocks is above the water line. Its low enough that the screen top still fits. It stays damp but i dont bother to clean it. I really like the look and how the water breaks around it.

ScottR · Sep 28, 2020

You’ll most likely have water splashing out of the tank. I don’t see anything wrong with having the rock slightly out of the water. How high are you thinking? There are some nice mangrove tanks like this.

Lightspeed · Sep 28, 2020

Me myself, i would keep it well lower so i dont kill sponges by exposing them to air on WC's, my LR accommodates a 30% wc without having to expose anything to air, but plenty of people dont worry about that sort of thing.

Waters · Sep 28, 2020

There are some very cool mangrove setups with rock above the water line. Only issues (other than the lids not fitting) are salt creep and algae growth on the damp portions of the rock.....but that adds to the overall look of the scape.

sp1187 · Sep 29, 2020

my scape breaks the surface. why? to hide the return line and to hide the gyre on that side. the opposite side is within 2" of the surface to hide the overflow, 2nd gyre and heater that doesn't fit in the sump.
apparently two of my bubbletips like it.

TnFishwater98 · Sep 29, 2020

sp1187 said:
my scape breaks the surface. why? to hide the return line and to hide the gyre on that side. the opposite side is within 2" of the surface to hide the overflow, 2nd gyre and heater that doesn't fit in the sump.
apparently two of my bubbletips like it.

Do you have a pic of your scape before your sexy looking BT’s claimed territory?

cshouston · Sep 29, 2020

It may or may not be an issue, but I wonder if it might give off a noticeable odor. When I lower my water level during a water change, any exposed rock is pretty pungent in my system! Smells a bit like the beach when a bunch of algae has washed onto shore.

sp1187 · Sep 29, 2020

TnFishwater98 said:
Do you have a pic of your scape before your sexy looking BT’s claimed territory?

TnFishwater98 · Sep 29, 2020

cshouston said:
It may or may not be an issue, but I wonder if it might give off a noticeable odor. When I lower my water level during a water change, any exposed rock is pretty pungent in my system! Smells a bit like the beach when a bunch of algae has washed onto shore.

I would use a newer rock possibly a piece of dry cleaned old live rock that would sit on LR that’s just below the surface. Possible even setting up my fresh top off water set up to run down the rock into the tank ...Just thinking out loud

92Miata · Sep 29, 2020

I don't know where the idea came about that exposing sponges to air kills them. Yes - it kills some species - but almost none of those species make it to reef tanks. Live rock is typically shipped in newspaper - and has sponges all over it. Many of which survive.

I'd be worried about the tank smelling with exposed live rock.

It'd also be a big dead spot as far as light goes - 'shallow reef' type tanks tend to run out of space anyways - SPS will grow up to the water surface (and even a bit above it)

TnFishwater98 · Sep 29, 2020

Just changed rocks This morning to get a better base on the left side. I’m going to raise that side to be at or above the water line. Still deciding

malnurs · Sep 29, 2020

cshouston said:
It may or may not be an issue, but I wonder if it might give off a noticeable odor. When I lower my water level during a water change, any exposed rock is pretty pungent in my system! Smells a bit like the beach when a bunch of algae has washed onto shore.

Since it is always out I would assume there wouldn't be any extra odor.

JumboShrimp · Sep 29, 2020

I have a temporary set up (while my new tanks are being built) where the rock work extends out of the tank, through a hole in the egg-grate top. The rock portion out of the water doesn't even really get wet, much less dirty, so I would call it a 'no problem' situation, if you want to go that route. Best wishes!