Rock Setup

[kkgaskin90]

75 gallon-just started it up this week but I'm very indecisive about how I want the rocks. Tank is against the wall, still needs about 25 more pounds of rock. My thought is to go up the back wall with it. Husband suggested building up the middle so the fish can swim around it. It will be FOWLR for at least a year, but eventually a reef. Any thoughts?

 

[Usatennisfan]

I'm a big fan of arches and caves, the rock wall look has never really done it for me... This is my 40 breeder, the rock is about 3" back from the center of the tank.

 

[kkgaskin90]

Did you secure them together somehow? And can they swim behind it? I like that!

 

[Usatennisfan]

Thqnks! Nothing is glued together but everything is stable and doesn't wobble. I didn't glue anything because when I set it up a year ago I knew eventually I would be moving so it would have been hard to transport especially in one piece. There is maybe 4"-5" behind it, only thing that's ever back there is my mandarin because it has lower flow than the rest of the tank.

 

[Gundo]

Get some two part epoxy and gel super glue to create one solid structure esp. If yup alb on housing fish that burrow and potentially shift rocks.

 

[flyinhippie]

Depending on the fish you get and their swim pattern; Setting your live rock in the middle like your husband says is smart. Be sure that the rock is touching the bottom and the sand is poured in around it so that no critters can burrow and screw up up the foundation. I would't worry about glueing the rocks together. As long as they are secure they should be just fine as long as the fish you choose aren't to pushy (like triggers etc). Good Luck!

 

[kkgaskin90]

Here's what we ended up with-all a little behind the center but with enough room in front and behind to swim. I'm pretty happy! Lots of smaller holes as well, but incredibly sturdy.

 

[GoTakeANap]

Rockwork looks good to me. I'm in the process of making a center island in the corner tank we bought.

 

[Dalmatia]

Not trying to sound mean or anything but I think you need "that" much more live rock?

 

[Dragonreef202]

Your rockwork should be a work in progress. As you add a coral you may want to change. Your finished product maybe months away. Just keep rockscsping. I'm still adding rock and changing as I go.

 

[kkgaskin90]

I'm sure it will vary as we go, but we decided this tank will now be FOWLR and our other will stay reef. I've never heard of "too much" live rock unless it's cramping the space. The last pic I posted is somewhere close to 75 lbs which is the amount I was going for. Generally it's 1-1.5 lbs per gallon and the majority of the rock is very porous, so I'm happy with this amount