Live rock aquascaping

J

JohnMcNic

New member
So I'm working on my first marine tank and I am just about ready to add the the water, and the live rock shortly there after. Firstly I would like to go through a list of my setups main components:
75gallon All Glass aquarium w/stand, All Glass cover
Rena Filstar XP3
Aqua C Remora prtein skimmer
2 MaxiJet 1200's
200w Jager heater
48in 260w Coralife PC w/lunar lights

I think that is all the main stuff, of course there is the other small stuff which I failed to mention, but for the most part I think I have all the needed stuff. Feel free to input on what you think I should get, or should get rid of!

Now on to my main question. I plan on filling the tank sometime this weekend (3-30) and was firstly wondering what brand of salt mix to go with I haven't read anything out there saying one is better than the next, so I was just going to go with a middle of the price range salt. I will also be ordering about 45-75lbs of live rock (probably form LiveAquaria) and was wondering about the best way to aquascape. I was thinking about drilling a few pieces, and then placing PVC rods or something in them so that I could create ledges, caves ect. What do you think? Also, is it necessary to secure every piece, or can I stack some. I just don't want any collapses! Any ideas here would be great!!

Thanks!!!!
 
Drilling the LR? Whoever put that idea into your head? :D

You only need to reinforce areas prone to toppling. Stacking is fine if you have a firm base for support. IO is the most used salt in the hobby. Is it the best? I have no idea but nobody seems to know which one is, so, I go with the flow and it has worked for me for years.
 
The salt debate has been on many different forums. Most say go with what works for you. Reef crystals, Tropic Marin etc....

You can certainly do the pvc drilling to get some good ledges. But some of the most impressive tanks I've seen are just securely stacked. Not secured with epoxy.

Go with what you're comfortable with.
 
You have just about the same setup I do, good luck! I have my 85lbs of rock curing now but don't plan to use any PVC.
 
Actually, it was nylon dowels, bookshelf angles and screws I mentioned in the New Tank Thread.
 
If you haven't already, I'd recommend stacking the rock before you add the water. That's probably what you meant, but just in case, I thought I'd mention it. :)
 
Thanks for all the replies guys.

I was going to fill the tank almost completely, let it age for a day or two, and by then I would have the live rock. So I was going to take about half the water out, keep some of it for the first water change or two, and place my rock. But if anyone has a better idea I'm all ears!!!

As far as drilling the rock I read it in a book, the title of which I cant remember at the moment, but if seemed like a neat idea.

Thanks again!

John
 
You definitely need more flow, unless you are doing the mjmod on those maxi's. I am in love with my 2 maxi 1200's and a Hydor Koralia #3 in a 55 gallon. If you haven't purchased the mj's yet then look into the Hydor Koralia or Seio's...great powerheads for the money.
 
I have a 75 with two number 2 and one number 3 koralias in my 75 and there is a LOT of flow. I have zero dead spots and they are easy to adjust to the angle you desire. Also, I have 100 lbs of LR and just stacked it along the back. There are plenty of gaps to create small caves and hidey holes for the fish.
 
Only one added tip here. You really want a little room between the rock and glass. Not allot but enough to get an algae cleaning magnet behind and around.
 
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