removing live rock??

[dahenley]

I titled the thread this because i have been wanting to re scape my tank for a long time, but i just havent. I want to pull some of my rock out and make some pillars and caves and such. but this means the rock will dry out a little, and be drilled and stacked differently. (the rocks that were on the bottom might end up on top.)

do you think this will be a problem?
i plan on keeping all the rock, but may add a few pieces of dry rock to make things that i want.

I have a 240gal tank with a 40 gal sump and a 20 gal refugium.

i plan on doing a water change after i put the rocks back in. (to help remove anything i stir up, and to keep from preventing a big cycle.)

the tank has been up for about 1.5 years. so i believe i have a good amount of filtration.

i need some pro's and cons.
thanks

 

[Drewbaby]

You should be ok as long as the rocks aren't out a real long time. As far as pros and cons I see it like this:

Pros-
Tank is scaped to your liking
More open pillar/cave design
Not the same old look that you've had for thast 1.5 years.

Cons-
Stirring up trapped detritus from between and under rock
Slight surface die off on rock from air exposure
New areas of rock exposed to light could allow algae growth

I say go for it. As long as your gentle while removing the rocks you won't stir up alot of crap and I would do the water change before you add the rock back to the tank so you can make sure all the waste is out. While you have the rock out of the tank keep it wet with newspaper that is wet from the old water you removed to do the water change with. It will prevent alot of die off.

Hope that will help.

 

[dahenley]

very nice point of view!
i like the Pro's and cons. (you have to know both before making a good decision.)

i was wondering about the parts of the rocks that havent been in the light and will now be.

i was thinking of draining some water out, and dunking the rock in a container to remove any detritus that might be caught in the rock. (since i have it out anyway)
would this be an ok thing? it would be easy to do, and i would have water on hand to keep the rocks from drying out as well... (thoughts??)

keep the ideas and opinions coming.

 

[billsreef]

Rinsing the detritus off the rock is a good idea, both before and after Draping some plastic over the rock while your working will also help keep it damp enough to minimize any die off. A good water change will also take care of any of that kicked up detritus.

 

[purge43]

Im actually thinking of rescapeing my tank as well, but i was thinking of filling a tupperware container with tank water, scrubbing the rock with a brush and then rinsing in a clean container of tw before putting it back into tank.

 

[dahenley]

So, It sounds very doable with minimum consequences.
does anyone know anything else that I should do or look out for.

 

[dahenley]

And I guess I'm luckey. I don't have any algae so I wont be needing to scrub any algae

 

[kdoodlie]

Not a problem, just have a well thought out plan on what you want the final structure to be- i.e. draw out the individual rocks if needed. Set up a tarp in front of your tank and move out as many corals as you can. Drill/glue and replace.

 

[goodreef]

Keep a spray bottle filled with tank water. Keep your rocks damp at all times. All your pods, bacteria, and all the good stuff should easily survive this. To them, it's just like rocks exposed during low tide. All natural.

I kept mine out of water like this for > 12 hrs during my re-scape without any negatives or even the need for a water change.

 

[aleonn]

What size drill bit do you plan to use? I put all my dry rocks into Brutes the last 3 weeks (to start their cycling as I wait for my tank to be delivered), and recently drilled all of them. IME the 7/8" drill bit was only for larger rocks and took longer to drill, so give yourself some time between rocks and keep them moist. The 3/16" drill went really fast.

 

[dahenley]

i built a rock structure/ foam wall for my wife's tank. most of it was dry BRS rock and some dryed figi rock....

I used a 3/8 drill bit because i was using a fiberglass rod (one of those with the reflector on it. i got a orange one that was thicker but in the same area) and it was easy to use a standard bi-metal bit. it cut threw the rocks like butter. and the Dry BRS rock has soo many holes that i could wrap zip ties and hold structures and caves together. i love hers, but i just want some change and dont need the whole tank done. (as of yet!!)

and the spray bottle is a good thing. very smart and i didnt have a problem with the rock gettin a little dry but i dont want too dry so that will work out fine.
good idea!!