Aquascaping questions

[Editour2]

I am in the process of setting up my rock in my 85 gallon acrylic tank. The tank is a converted simplicity plus system, had filtration built into the back 4" of the tank, which was cleared out, drilled and is now just a large overflow. The tank is 4' by 2' however will only have approximately 14" for aquascaping in the display area. I plan on placing the rock on pvc and then adding about 3 to 4"s of sand. I have approximately 100 lbs of Marco Rock, (dry porous Fiji rock). Here are my questions: 1) Does it make a difference on how high I stack the rock? I'm trying to think ahead in where I am going to place my SPS corals. I want to place them at the top, closer to the lights. Do I need to leave room at the top, (for instance only stack the rock 19" high), or don't concern myself with the height of the rock formation and just place the corals lower in the rock display? I want to make the rock very airy, (in that I mean lots of caverns and crevices), however at the same time, due to the 14" of depth, I don't want to come too close to the front of the tank. 2) In what order should I place the rock, pvc and sand? (IE: pvc first, rock second and sand last etc.).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Frank

 

[papagimp]

I'd go PVC, ROCK, then SAND. Just for stability purposes. As for how to stack the rock, it's all up to you. I would leave any "base" rock on the base as it's used for, and the more porous pieces higher up where they'll recieve the most flow. And leave enough space for coral growth towads the top. Some Acro's and others will get tall. I have some pom pom xenia in my tank that has managed to crab the back glass and it's growing up along the top of the tank at that, breaking the surface when fully expanded. Corals like the light , and they'll grown towards it.

 

[juniormc8704]

research that rock before using it. It sounds an awful lot like lacerock. which has alot of iron in it, and gets rediculous hair algae. might not be the same stuff, but i would look into it just to be sure. just trying to save you a headache if in fact its the same or similar stuff. Lace rock can send your PH sky high too.

 

[Editour2]

Many of the members in my club, LIRA, have used this rock without any problems. It is dry Fiji rock. Check out their website: http://www.marcorocks.com/

 

[iflipsidei]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9465551#post9465551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by papagimp
I'd go PVC, ROCK, then SAND. Just for stability purposes. As for how to stack the rock, it's all up to you.

how do you use PVC and stack rock on it? do you cut like small 1" pieces and put a few down or put a lot down?

 

[Editour2]

First you have to establish how deep your sand bed is going to be. Let's assume 3 to 4 inches deep. You would then cut multiple pieces of PVC at 2, 3 and 4 inches of length. Then place the pvc under the rock to stabilize, dependent upon the configuration of the rock and the way you want to display the rock, (IE: sideways, straight up etc). In effect what you are doing is: 1) providing a stable base for the rock, 2) saving you the cost of extra rock and 3) preventing dietrius buildup if the rock were to sit directly in the sand.