Need your help w/ LR.

Yuri De Lima

Yuri De Lima

AC Members
Nov 2, 2005
336
0
0
Alexandria,VA
I got 22lbs of live rock from www.liveaquaria.com My tank is 24G, I plan to turn into a nano reef (later) I know I need more LR. I plan to buy some live cured rock from an established tank. Right now I have the 22 lbs of LR in the tank, but they are a little big (it's 4 pieces altogether). That's where I need help.
Should I take out the piecies (especially the big one on the right side) and hammer it down? OR just by the new rock in smaller pieces and put them on top? Here are the pics.

TankwithLiveRock.jpg

LR.jpg

LiveRock.jpg
 
It really boils down to what you want your tank to look like I think.. But some things to consider would be:

1. How solidly placed is the rock against the bottom of the tank? If just placed on the sand bed and you buy something like a goby it will dig underneath the rock and possibly causing the rock to tip, crack glass etc.

2. How solid is the structure itself? Can the piece be easily tipped over? Again if a piece were to hit the tank is it going to crack?

3. Do you have it placed against the back glass of the tank? Do you plan on cleaning that area? If so how?

I personally like the way you have you rock in the tank.
 
^ Agreed. It will give you more overall surface area on the rock for growth, as well.
 
they sell types of putty, and underwater glues that can make your rocks all stick together, and add to the overall stability of them. You dont really want a big piece of LR that is unbalanced to get knocked over by a fish and fall on the glass.... just a thought though.

I would do it, just cause i like to have my rock work connected and stable, but none of those pieces are huge, and i dont really think it would cause a problem if it fell on the glass.

And as stated above, hammer and chisel to LR is fine, what ever makes them more manageable, and better looking to you.

-Jay
 
Well I like it the way it is. That's kind of like the "theme" I had in mind. To have them in the middle of the tank kinda like forming a pyramid. I like the "cave" in the middle.
I was thinking if I got more rock from an established tank I could put it on the left side of the tank, to cover up more.

Now the only thing that is bothering me is the big piece on the left side. It seems to me to be just "too big." Right now the "back"of the big rock b/c it would not stay any other way. The side that was covered w/ coraline is on the back of the tank.

The structure right now is pretty solid; not easily movable.

The structure touches the back of the tank, but I don't intend on cleaning the back, I want it to be covered with coraline, especially the MJ.

I don't know what to do, I'm just really confused.

Yuri.
 
i don't think that the rock is too big. but break it down if you want it smaller. the rock on the right i would lay down horisontaly ( short side facing the front, not the long way :wall: like this brick wall) for room for corals but still leave a cave. just move the rocks around and see if you can find the best look, then break it.
 
IMHO Grins has it right. If you are getting more rock...I would wait and see what those pieces look like. There is a high probability you will change the configuration/layout when you have all your rock and make your "final" design.

I also try to think of the attach points for the coral I am going to buy. I struggled with the putty application and my first uses look like I had been playing with clay, and sloppy at that. My later applications look more naturalistic. It is truely about time and patience. (also a bit of money helps).

For the record, I would be happy with the layout and just purchase rock of suitable size to fill in around your existing base. Looks like good surface coverage for adding corals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom