I hate my rockwork

[mpderksen]

I want what we ALL want: A rockscape that allows for plenty of places to attach corals, caves for the fish, enough rock to provide a base for filtration and visual beauty. Currently, I don't have ANY of these. It's more like a pile of softballs stacked against the back. Nothing is held together with rods, epoxy or zipties. I know there are countless ways to get it all put together. Is it just trial and error until I get something I like. Or is there a magic formula that I'm missing? Is it possible that using the rock I have is simply not appropriately sized for my tank?

Here's what it currently looks like:
<a href="http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/mpderksen/media/null_zps948fa246.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee380/mpderksen/null_zps948fa246.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo null_zps948fa246.jpg"/></a>

And here's what I have left:
<a href="http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/mpderksen/media/null_zpsf986c885.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee380/mpderksen/null_zpsf986c885.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo null_zpsf986c885.jpg"/></a>

I'm only 4 days into the cycle, so adding the additional dry rock at this point isn't a big deal. Most was dry except for 2 pieces of live that I purchased as "seed".

Michael

 

[thegrun]

Trial and error. Some larger pieces would help, but I've seen very appealing tanks composed completely with smaller sized rocks. I don’t think you are that far away from a nice arrangement. Drilling for dowels is a great way to allow you to make taller and more open formations. If you don’t have egg crate on the bottom of the tank I would add that also, it helps hold the rock in place for a more stable base.

 

[Ross33]

You need some big pieces. Trade in lots of those smaller pieces for 2 or 3 10 pound pieces to build from. For something nice but simple use zip ties and instant ocean putty

 

[mpderksen]

Trial and error. Some larger pieces would help, but I've seen very appealing tanks composed completely with smaller sized rocks. I don't think you are that far away from a nice arrangement. Drilling for dowels is a great way to allow you to make taller and more open formations. If you don't have egg crate on the bottom of the tank I would add that also, it helps hold the rock in place for a more stable base.

FWIW: I placed my largest pieces on the bottom prior to adding any sand.

I guess I know what I'm doing this Saturday.....

 

[thegrun]

It seems like I end up reworking mine every couple of years. I get tired of the same old rock formations.

 

[1SlickFish]

Remember when you were little and you would stack blocks? This is where that training comes in handy. Go grab some rocks from outside and start stacking on the floor. You will learn what supports what. you can not build too high a tier unless you use the back for support or have a VERY deep tank to keep stacking. Well, that is if your not using rods and such. Like said, and as you have seen. Big big rocks on the bottom to get up out of the sand and then stack on top of them. To lok decent you will need to get all one type of rock because to get places to put coral, you may just have to drill holes and glue rods. You dont have much room to tier up through gravity alone and once you do glue, your not gonna want to keep braking it apart and redoing it.

Once you get the hang of what your doing, you will never be satisfied anyways so dont sweat it, lol.

 

[Johnic]

Look into Cerameco man made rock peices....i have it in mine and its awesome looking. Doesn't look like a stack of ruble.

 

[Mudbeaver]

You want some ideas go here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2311241&page=3


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2324171

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I agree you need fewer, larger pieces. Round pieces are also pretty useless IMO. You can use epoxy to make several smaller pieces into one or more larger pieces. Most people also start with their largest rocks on the bottom and work smaller as they go up, but I find it looks better and is still stable if you start with medium rocks on the bottom, larger rocks on top of those, and then smaller rocks on top of those.

Also, give it a break in the middle to make it two separate structures. I would use epoxy and make a taller column/tower on the left.

 

[dixiedog]

+1, it is very important that the rocks be the correct size in relation to the tank. Not too big, not too small.

You have the right idea. With a handful of larger rocks you should do very well.

 

[mpderksen]

Much better! Just takes some trial.
I like it now.

. Front

. Left

. Right.

Lots of caves and flat spots to attach coral.

Michael

 

[1SlickFish]

Your getting there. Looks a little delicate but if you like it, thats all that counts.

 

[Dino]

Aquascaping is something that is a bit of an art, and like any art takes a good bit of practice to master.

This is an excellent thread to read that focuses on some aspects of aquascaping that many people don't immediately think about.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217633

Something that is helpful I've found is making an outline of your tank somewhere on the floor (little bit of painters tape works wonders) and just play around with stacking your rocks in different configurations. For truly wild aquascapes you very likely will need to join or bond your rocks together in some manner. There is a limit on just what you can do with just stacking. There are a number of ways to join your rocks together but by far my favorite is hydraulic cement. You can buy a 3 gallon bucket of the stuff at the local hardware store for like $10, its incredibly strong, sets fast (in fact a little too fast some of the time), reef safe, and quickly gets grown over. Also, if you have some larger pieces of rock - don't be afraid to bust them into smaller pieces that may be more interesting.

 

[Nina51]

i feel your pain! it's been a challenge to aquascape a 29g cube and forget about trying to do a 14g! i used all live rock, it never occurred to me to glue pieces together for stability so i have struggled to get everything together so it won't coming crashing down. add to that a tennis ball size pincushion urchin who loves to decorate himself with rocks that are almost half his size. i have told him over and over and over again to leave things along! how do you put an urchin in time out?

 

[dppitone]

My best method is randomness, which includes where you put rock and "where you don't." I'm not into the continuous rock wall style. Just start putting it in with a blindfold and make sure you leave open space to the back. My opinion, no way is the wrong way.

 

[terrypercula]

I went through 5 or 6 different aquascapes on my 57 gallon and never was happy. I did one on my 16 gallon and love it. Sometimes you get one you like sometimes you gotta keep working on it. One of the many reasons patience is needed in reefing.

 

[on the spot]

I'll use a wet saw to make joining pieces together simpler. A band saw will make short work of halving a fat rock that can be used for making a cave where once was solid rock. Hole saws and drill bits put holes where you want them. Acid will make those "too clean" holes look more natural.

HTH

 

[dax123]

Your new aquascape looks nice, but seems fragile. Also, once you start adding coral you will run out of place quickly. You need shelves for optimum coral placeability. Unless you know how you want your end product it will be trial and error. My suggestion is to look at a lot of pictures until you find a look you like and then try to copy it. Otherwise get used to a lot of rearranging.

 

[CT Reefer]

When I was doing the aquascape on my 140 I moved the rocks so many times that the skin on my fingers was rubbed raw! I just did a minor change last weekend to open it up a bit. Once you start adding corals the space fills in... most of the time we put in too much rock which doesn't leave enough room for coral or impedes flow.

When I did a 55g aquascape I put a cardboard outline on the floor (I think someone above mentioned this idea) and practiced with the rocks and cemented a few of them before placing them in the tank...much easier!

Its a practice, practice thing ...maddening sometimes I know..but you'll get it.