had to pull all my rockwork for a tank move---got a good 'dry' rebuild...(pix)

[Sk8r]

redid the flooring, and we had to haul tanks about, one 105 g, one 54g, both quarter cylinders: easier on everybody and safer to remove the water down to 10% before attempting (and install appropriate glides under your tank during setup.

What surprised me was the very nice rebuild on the rockwork. Got me some monster caves, many of them. I've always built with the water IN the tank, and this time build the rockwork before adding water. Worked out rather well. I wiggled it mightily to be sure it would stand, and lo! it did. Very happy with the result. So you can do it either way---submerged, or 'dry.' I always do put down a few rocks to be totally buried, so that they stick up little stubs on which I can build with confidence, because those rocks, well-buried, are NOT going to move.

 

[2000se]

Awesome! Need to see these caves!

 

[Sk8r]

I'll give it a try. This needed to be a re-set up, I lost so much during the power-out, but thank goodness not a cycle, and a handful of fish and corals survived. Lost one coral during the move.

Re the caves, if you can get old coral or holey limestone, and just set down a few fat pieces as the side pillars, then pick a curved one to lay atop, you've got a good cave; the twistier the passage by reason of several upright fat pieces and some 'bridges' set at a slight rotation from each other, the better---as many levels as you have 'bridging' pieces, so the structure can be tall and complex). You end up with a mazy rockwork many reef fishes love for its hiding holes, and plenty of places to set corals. I have wedge bowfront or quarter-cylinder tanks, and this 105 gallon one is quite deep, so I can build high, especially as I create 'spaces' between layers.

I don't use glue or pipe, btw, just the natural shape of the rocks, getting them to 'tangle' and 'key into' each other as I build.

Now that the floor is finally nearly complete (reflooring job DIY) I can really start rebuilding the reef's population.

 

[CStrickland]

Congrats!
Glad to see some silver linings after your trouble.

I like to scape dry too. Now matter how much I like the first draft, I always want to change something after a day or two. Somehow, not having the tank filled feels less final, I can get it really how I like it before it's wet and I'm up to my pits in water if I want to change anything. Also, much better if you do want to drill or cut pieces. Another thing I've noticed is the rocks seem less stable without the water. If it doesn't wiggle when it's dry, it's pretty solid when it's wet.

 

[Sk8r]

Here are the pix.

SOrry about the blue: it's a blue time of day. In general, I secure a couple of 'fat' branching pieces that will be stable, then lay a 'bridge' across it and do a number of such 'bridges' at various heights and orientations to assure the fish have an entertaining maze. It makes them feel more secure to have plenty of hidey-holes---in case a shark should swim through my 100 gallon tank. They're not long on logic, but they do know the hand that feeds them. In one shot (the middle one, lower center) you can just catch the white spot of my golden domino damsel.

We're still laying flooring, so the curtains are open. I wouldn't ordinarily recommend an uncurtained glare hitting the tank.