What to Do??

[Keithv12]

Hey guys, I just joinedreef2reef and I am looking for some advise. I am new to this hobbyand have been relaying on my LFS for information on setting up my 150gal.. I started the setup 5/19/13 andpretty much did what the LFS said would be “OK†with my tank. Iput 120lbs of LS and about 280LBS of rock (LR mixed with dead about50/50). Not going through the entire details of the cycling processbut waited two months and started adding good fish. Looking throughthe forums, I have found several problems with the set up off mytank. First, my goal is to have a reef tank so i stacked the rocks in a pyramid like fashion, thinkingIt would provide more spots to put corals and such but not thinkingabout water movement behind it, so, should I re-stack the rocks sothere will be good water flow behind it. Second thing, I opted to gowith a deep sand bed but I have found mine is not deep enough at3inches. Should I take the rocks out and add more LS or just add thesand to it and cover some of the rocks. Also, should I get rid of thesand sifting sea stars. I know that moving anything around in thetank at this point will release toxin and I will have to put my fishin something until things settle down. adding some pictures you can see what I am talking about. Thanks for the information.

 

[pickupman66]

Opinions here vary about as much as the types of tanks. me personally, I would leave the sand as is. Deep sand beds can be good, but they can also be bad. some swear by them, some swear against them. Do some reading around here and determine how you want it. I have kept some very successful tanks with 3" sand or less. I'd bet I average 3" in my current 180.

as for the rocks, you may want to re-stack those to get some caves and such behind them for both water movement and for your fish. I was very lucky when I setup my rock that it came out with TONS of caves for my fish to swim in. they are constantly in and out of them all day long, plus it gives nice areas to hide at night.

OH and


Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[eliramos]

do you have a holding tank?
what i would do is
1)catch all your fish and inverts place them in the holding tank.
2) you have a lot of good base rock but like you said it doesnt leve much room for water movement, so in this situation less is more take out the rocks rearrange them on the floor with a towel in a scape that you would like that would give you good flow.
3) if you are using a sump place the rocks you dont really like or dont think that will fit in the sump so you still have the benefit of live filtration.
4) put the rocks back in the tank but press them down try to get them to touch the base of the tank this will allow for more sand to be turned by the stars or what have you. and also provide a much sturdier base so you have a less chance of coming home to your rocks not where you left them.(it happens lol)
6) now buy the amount of sand you need and place it around the rocks giving you further support and the depth you want
7) now is also a good time to place the pumps where ever you need them to give yourself optimum flow.
8) now for the water change- do a 50 % water change and allow the tank to stabilize some people put there fish right in after the change but i would re acclimate them slowly the next day or maybe even two days later depending on how your holding tank is set up.
thats usually how i do it

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Welcome to R2R!!

You are being given some great advice so far. I would leave the sand as is. Here is a good article on aquascaping:https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-tips-tricks-creating-amazing-aquascapes.html It may be helpful when you decide to rearrange the rocks. Good luck with your journey into keeping a saltwater tank.

 

[KillerKlownFish]

I'm new as well and I read some great posts on cutting rock and forming an amazing reef. IMHO there is way to much rock then again I'm new I could be wrong.

 

[Jlobes]

sand is all good. i agree with the advise already posted. If it was my tank, I would take out all of that rock and restart. you want access to the back wall for maintenance and flow etc. Also, 280# is quite a bit of rock and you could probably get away with much, much less, to get your desired look. Seahorse posted a great link about aquascaping, definitely check that out. It really helps to think about the scape and tank in a future sense, thinking about the additions you want and their needs for space, light, flow, etc. great start though and welcome to R2R.

 

[KillerKlownFish]

Lfs tried to sell me 25lbs more then I needed.
Here's what I got w 30lbs

 

[KillerKlownFish]

25 lbs more wouldn't have fit. I bought a bit of LR online and it was tiny pieces. Went to the LFS and got 12 more lbs. I'm up to 42lbs no more for me. Also I swear the cost per lb keeps changing what the heck
So here's where I'm at:

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I like the new rock structure!

 

[mike007]

I think your rockwork looks fine to me. You have lots of voids which should give good flow. It is hard to arrange rockwork to satisfy,you just have to get it where you like it and go with it. Give it time and once it matures it will look great.