How to build aquascaping, ROCKS

[downhillbiker]

How should i attach my rocks together and keep them from falling over. I want to make cool arches and neat structures, but dont want it to all come crashing down later and kill everything.

I am dealing with live rock and cured base rock, so i dont think building the structure outside of the tank is an option.

 

[mrpet]

i will post pics tonight of my finished rock work. i used acrylic rods zip ties and handi foam worked great if you go to my thread
in the lg tank forum "my 375 in wall " you can see some pics...

 

[kar93]

Could you post a pic of what you currently have?

 

[downhillbiker]

cool mrpet. i want to see that, but remember i am dealing with live, wet rock, sounds like you had dry base rock.

here the pic of it now, and i have 50 lb curing. all of what i have is loose and can be moved easily.

 

[kar93]

thats 40lbs now right?

 

[edwing206]

I'd take that damsel out before you add anymore rock and can't catch it later on when it becomes too aggressive.

 

[downhillbiker]

i think he is ok. there are others to keep him in check. i am done stocking and he is on the lower end of the totem pole.

 

[downhillbiker]

yes thats 40lb. it is spread out across the whole tank, so it doesnt look like that much. total with what is curing i will have 90 lb, and that will do it for my 72. i dont want it too cluttered.

 

[kar93]

I dont see anyfish in there, where are they?

 

[downhillbiker]

there is regal tang, tomini tang, maroon clown and damsel in the pic. that is old pic. i added rainfords goby, royal gramma, green chromis, and flame angel since then.

 

[kar93]

Oh, Just a word of warning though. A regal will soon outgrow that tank. When i had mine i couldnt believe how fast it grew.

 

[downhillbiker]

yeah. that is something i will have to deal with soon. i know. do you have any ideas about the rock???? that is what i wanted help with. and the fish are hiding in the pic under the big rock cave on the right. cant really see them.

 

[kar93]

Here is a rubbish paint drawing of what im doing in my 55:
Front View:

 

[arts007]

Maybe you can try some acrylic rods to stabilize the rock work along with some putty.

I did mine with 1/2" PVC, its a little taller than the 55 so theres a bit more room to work with but still can be done

the PVC is holding up the rock work on the left, and on the right is just a pile

 

[viceversabrd]

wow, that will look great when all of those sps colonies mature