Rock Scaping, 1st try...

[TLT]

I like what you've got with the 2nd shot. Somehow the rock formation is a bit off centre to me and gives the tank a shorter appearance lengthwise. You could taper the right side by skimming off some rocks and elongate it. Maybe do what Coler said about running another smaller rock stack from the right tapering to the left behind or in front of the first stack. You've already created this illusion of depth by rounding the rocks on the left around the front corner.

 

[sting ray]

very cool...i'd go with the first to leave some open space.

 

[blazingazn]

i like the second one better. but if it was me, i'd leave bigger gaps (wider and higher) between the rocks. i like creating little niches that fish can exploit and create their own sense of security.

 

[DAVIDFBT]

I would put eggcrate under the rocks so that there aren't any pressure points, but that's just me being paranoid. I like the 2nd one better too.

 

[ibr3ak]

Nice, that's alot of slate, gonna be lots of fun cleaning it, if you'll need to clean it

 

[Kiel'thalin]

Thanks for all of the comments. Some good ideas I going on in my head now, debating to start it all over since bigger gaps would be nice. I think I might drill them and and tie everything together with plastic coat hangers and place foam under the rock that touch the bottom glass to make it absolutely fail proof. Also, after going to every fish store today to check out the FW fish, I am going with Community Tank vs Cichlid. My goal for fish over the next several months would be:

11-15 Harlequin Rasbora's
5-7 Boesemani Rainbow's
3 Cory Cats
1 Opaline Gourami
1 Rineloricaria sp. Catfish

That will do, I just love the idea of having a large group of fish swimming together. Is that a modest estimate on fish or could I do even more rasbora's/rainbow's or a combination of another schooling fish that will get along with what I got listed up there. Thanks again.

 

[Lupin]

Stick with the smaller rainbow species. Boesemann's are far too active for most of your fish. By the way, that catfish you get may likely be Rineloricaria parva. Add 5 more cories.

 

[Rbishop]

I would worry, that even with it being flush to the back panel, there will be places where fish can get stuck. I agree with Coler to pull it out a bit. Though nice looking, I think it would be better to have some openings they could swim through.

 

[addicted2fish]

make sure to add egg crate you can buy it at lowes, its lighting dept , and you cut to fit, ad lay it on the bottom your tank, (I would NOT use foam) this takes alot of the pressure of the glass, and also you could glue the pcs together with silicone aquarium type,k then you wouldent have to worry about fallin' rock, and place it gently, make sure you wash it carefully b4 adding water and everything , good luck looks awsome !!! cant wait to rescape my 55 after I sell offf my goldfish , and buy a new light fixture !! I will be using slate doing alt of what your doing now with your rock !! looks awsome too ! I love the community fish as well !! get some live plants in there , wow anabus would look sooo good in diff spots in that rock !!!!

 

[Kiel'thalin]

Well, here is where I am at now. I like it a bit better, it has a 4 caves in there (two larger ones on the bottom and two in the upper stack) plus some swim through areas. I layed the crushed coral and added the water. Started to feed my imaginary fish to start the cycle and still a little bit cloudy. Hopefully this time next month I can start my stocking plans. I actually met a guy at one of my LFS's and he seems pretty knowledgable with Cichlids, so I might go that direction, he suggested tanganyika specimens and showed me some Tropheus Duboisi Cichlids, he was selling them for 8.99 each. He also suggested just doing a tank with 6 or so of this species only in the tank, is that good advise? Again, thanks for the help.