Lets see an update on this!
An update on this project:
AEFW!!!! were discovered in my tank. I will caution you not that if you build a one piece rockscape you are stuck with it! you cannot remove encrusted corals and invasive corals like meteor shower create problems by running and killing indiscriminately. You cannot move /remove rocks or corals to cut or change locations as acros grow.
I will not do a rockscape like this again. it was a fun project and I was very pleased with the outcome but there are too many drawbacks!
To remove all of the acros from my tank i had to remove all of the rockwork. Then place the huge coral covered structures on my back patio and attack it with a mosons hammer. CORAL FRAGS EVERYWHERE!!!
Doing this also disturbed 1year + worth of trapped detritus causing a massive nutrient spike.
i have since rescaped with the rock i could salvage + new liverock. i am still managing the nutrient spike from disturbing the sand. The new scape is all drystack.
Remember the endgame when scaping your tank. Think about what corals will grow fastest and biggest and growth patterns. Plan accordingly. Also leave room to place corals at various levels to allow for growth.
A nice rockscape is well.... nice, but my goal is growing coral and seeing a thriving reeftank (not rocktank).
keeping rock off of the walls allows for better water movement and the ability to place corals on all sides of the rocks. hoping when things grow out ill have a 3 dimensional reef instead of a "wall of coral"
From this:
To this:
I lost a few coral dealing with the AEFW. Most all of my coals that made it were fragged with all of the moving and dipping.
Things are looking better though....