Rockwork - opinions wanted

[Stusdesktop]

Got 100lbs of Marco Rock dropped into the new 90 build this evening. Now looking for second opinions and commentary about the rock work.

[/url] rockwork 008 by Em & Stu, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url] rockwork 007 by Em & Stu, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url] rockwork 006 by Em & Stu, on Flickr[/IMG]

Some rocks touch the back wall but no rock touches the front or side glass. Left enough room for my mag float to get around all three seen sides.

 

[Capt_Cully]

What kind of reef are you shooting for? If SPS, I'd start with less rock ths. You think you'll need. I dig the 2 islands.

 

[Stusdesktop]

What kind of reef are you shooting for? If SPS, I'd start with less rock ths. You think you'll need. I dig the 2 islands.

Minimal SPS. Mainly LPS, Softies, Zoas and Ricordea.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ok, you asked so I'll tell you what I would do. I like your two stacks, BUT, I would remove that one big rock(s) on top left in second photo. That would give room for euphyllia to grow and flow.

Just me, take it or leaver. I'm just more of a "less rock" guy.....more or less...:eek1:

 

[Stusdesktop]

Ok, you asked so I'll tell you what I would do. I like your two stacks, BUT, I would remove that one big rock(s) on top left in second photo. That would give room for euphyllia to grow and flow.

Just me, take it or leaver. I'm just more of a "less rock" guy.....more or less...:eek1:

Actually I was going to use the right hand pillar just for the euphyllia. The rock top right is two rocks and I've moved the one in front off to the side slightly and turned it to cover more of the overflow.

Thanks for the comments, sometimes standing there looking at things you can't always see the obvious

 

[fpv930]

I like the rock being separated the way you have it. I especially like the island on the right.
However, I am with Capt. I like less rock. When I got into the hobby two yrs ago... everyone told me 1.5 to 2lbs of rock. I almost couldn't fit 150lbs of rock in my 72g tank. It looked like a rock garden.
Now... for my 90g build I purchased fiberglass rod (1/2") to I can stack rock in the tank and keep it off the SB. Check out American Reef Channel on Youtube and look for "Mike Paletta" part 1. He shows how he built the rock structures.

 

[Charfish]

I think the two islands look good too...Echo previous posts of removing a little for future growth.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

at least one of those rocks will need to be removed IMO.

the one at bottom left is most likely candidate to get rearranged- make sure to keep rock at least 2-3" from any glass

 

[tmz]

I agree, 2 to 3 inches off the walls all around; back too. This facilitates flow,limits detritus accumulations and pressure points on the glass. It also provides swimming room . Caves and swim thrus are nice to work in for fish and water movement.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Ok, you asked so I'll tell you what I would do. I like your two stacks, BUT, I would remove that one big rock(s) on top left in second photo. That would give room for euphyllia to grow and flow.

Just me, take it or leaver. I'm just more of a "less rock" guy.....more or less...:eek1:

I agree. My approach is, if it looks like "enough" rock, it's probably just a little too much. Though it depends on your ultimate plans and how you are going to stock it. If you fill it with "enough" rock to look good, and then put a bunch of corals that grow and take up space, you may find things way too cramped.

 

[Stusdesktop]

Thanks for the comments all.

 

[Srixon]

Not to hijack.....so the status quo for sps tanks isn't a pound per gallon ? rock to water?

 

[blanden.adam]

Not to hijack.....so the status quo for sps tanks isn't a pound per gallon ? rock to water?

All depends on the rock. For example, in the dry rock realm, BRS pukani is extremely porous and provides more surface area/lb of rock for bacteria to grow, so you need less of it than say the eco saver. Also, if you are using live rock, you must also factor in that it has a significant amount of water weight, meaning you have to use more of it. So, 1 lb per gallon is a rough estimate, but there are a lot of factors that can change it.

With regard to aquascaping, not all of that rock needed for filtration to be in the DT. You can put a lot of it in the sump to free up space for water flow/coral growth in the DT.

 

[tmz]

There really isn't a number like 1lbper gallon.
It depends on what other fitration you are using , bioload, and a number of other factors. I have a good deal of rock in my tanks but they are laid out to insure flow around them as much a possible. If I can take out a piece of rock as corals grow and attach ,no longer needing as much support structure , I consider it a plus and do so moving it to one ofthe frugiums. I use dark and unlit refgia for extra surface area;one is a brute can filled with live rock and lidded;the other two are tubs ,one has a deep sand bed the other is bare bottom both have live rock and other surface media in them including some Seachem matrix.

 

[Capt_Cully]

My first tank had 100lbs in a 72 gallon. My current tank has about 125lbs in a 200. It's an evolution and personal preference. Emphasis should be on flow, access for cleaning, and foreseeable growth IMO/IME.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I think we should start another thread regarding liverock itself (in general) or this thread could get sidetracked

 

[Pishie]

Where is the best place to get rock like that I'm starting a 155 and buying cured from stores is killing my wallet at $8 a pound

 

[AmherstReef]

Stusdesktop got his from Marco Rocks