This aquascaping may be the hardest thing

[APrince62]

I’ve been reading the aquascaping threads for 2 days now as I’m hoping to get mine done sometime in next 2 weeks. This is gonna be very hard for me. I like things equal and balanced and even.....all things I’m reading youDONT want to do. My plan was to make a wall centered in tank with a cave on one side and maybe an arch on other. Now I’m thinking a larger structure on left trying to include a cave, leaving an area between a smaller structure on left.....but not centered. Will have to see how it works out once I get into the rocks. One question....do I have to use glue,putty or rods to keep any rocks in place or if I only stack a couple and they’re sturdy are they good to go?

 

[JasonK84]

Gonna depend some on inhabitants and if they are prone to rearrange things. Better safe than sorry in my way of thinking though. Would stink to be cleaning in the aquarium and knock a big rock off with your arm.

 

[Salty Lemon]

I've barely got mine going, but if I could do it again, I would have used rods on my large shelf/pillar. If you have the tools, patience, and the time, I'd do that. All it takes is a quick bump and I'm relatively certain my shelves will flip off. Mine are epoxied, which is really sturdy, but better safe than sorry. If you are creating something that will take some balancing, go with the sturdiest means possible. This is what mine looked like when I was aquascaping. Good Luck!

 

[devin]

Why can’t you make things centered like you want? It’s your tank. A lot of people throw around the rule of thirds. But it’s rearly if ever excuted right in our tanks. But if that’s what you have been reading up on maybe also look at center composition. Personally I aquascape for a purpose.

I don’t know the tank dimensions. You could do a big center wall. But let’s say if you want a sps dominate tank but also really want a BTA. Well odds are the BTA will move into that SPS real estate as the both like flow and light. Now if you go larger structure on the right and small on the left will you still be able to pack in the corals you want? Also some livestock prefer open swim areas and some like to dart between rocks. I’m more into coral then livestock, but every cleaner shrimp I’ve had hangs out in a arch/overhang. So personally I wouldn’t drop the arch for a small island on the left.

You can use cement, silicone, rods, epoxy, glue, zip ties or just let them stack and not fasten with anything just depends on the structure and what you plan for livestock. Big ones being your sandsifters, urchins and large snails. I personally use a mix between cement and glue. One tip is on large structures I try and make them 2-3 medium pieces that will rest secure together. Just Incase you do need to pull something apart or do rearranging.