Rearranging my rockwork...

[cbianco]

I have been thinking about rearranging my rockwork for some time now. I am not sure how I want it though.

I was thinking of breaking the rock I have and making one big cave using superglue to hold the rocks together.

I was also thinking of breaking the rocks up and making a sort of horseshoe again using superglue to hold it together.

One thing is for sure, I am not happy with the way the rocks are set as of now. The rocks are leaning against the back of the aquarium and this bugs me. The current rockwork is not pleasing to the eye!!!

I am also trying to keep in mind that if I break my rocks up they will never be the same again. I am also keeping in mind that I will go through another cycle probably.

Can anyone give me any ideas? I am at a loss for ideas! Keep in mind that this is a 24 gallon nano cube with a display area of about 17"D x 13"W x 17"H.

Any help or comments appreciated.

Christopher

I attached a pic for a better idea of what I am working with.

[cpreefguy]

IMO, I would buy more rock for your tank and maybe get rid of the akward/unpositionable rocks. It took me close to a year to find all of the right shaped rocks for my 15g, but when I saw a shape I was looking for, such as an arch, I bought it.

[mhaynes01]

definently get more rock, then you will have no trouble rearranging your rockwork

[GaryP]

If you are going to glue your rock don't use super glue. It will just soak it up. Try using epoxy putty. You can buy a tube of it at Home Depot for about $5 or you can get it at the LFS for $10. Make sure the sots you are gluing are clean before trying to glue it. I use a tooth brush. When arranging rock work there is one thing I suggest. That is making sure the contact areas are as small as possible. You don't want to create dead spots where one flat spot is in contact with another.

Here's another idea for you. Go to the GARF website and look up their section on making "aragocrete." You can basically design rock in any shape you want it. Of course this is not live rock and will be need to be seeded with other live rock. Over time, it will become live rock. Make sure to closely follow the instructions on how to clean it after it is done though. It can cause your pH to spike if not done correctly.

http://www.garf.org/howtodoinformation.htm#Aragocrete

[jaded]

I would think more rock is your best bet... If you bought various sizes you would increase your rockscaping options immensly. The rock you have on the left looks like it might make a great shelf piece if it were laid down horizontal and was set on 3 or 4 small pieces (like"legs")

just an idea

[cbianco]

GaryP

I looked at the garf link and they have some great ideas. I have used garf for research in the past and they always have some neat ideas! Thanks.

I appreciate the comments all. I have been thinking of getting additional rocks for my cube but have not yet done so. I don't want to purchase more rock until I have an idea of what my rockwork is going to look like or rather how I want it to look. I guess I am more concerned about the design than the actual act of making the design (if that makes sense).

To sum it I guess I should figure out how I want the final product to look BEFORE I make any moves. Does anybody have any suggestions for the design? lol.

Thanks

Christopher

[GaryP]

Yea, whatever makes you happy. Its all about personal preferences. Personally, I love the idea of an arch covered in zoos and carnation corals hanging down from the arch. Of course that brings up a whole different argument about the care of carnation corals. Try shopping around town for different kinds of rock. There is almost as many different sizes and shapes as there is fish. I had a friend that got some Tufa rock and shaped it himself with a drill.

[jaded]

Its fun to go the the lfs store and stare at the rock tank... image the pieces in you system and if anything jumps out at you, get it and see what happens. I've never been succesful looking for a particular piece. I've gotten close, but I'm usually better off when I just look for inspiration.

keep in mind that a rock can be set different ways. Its shape can change dramatically if you flip it or turn it. A 45° twist can make a huge difference to the entire tank, especially in your sized tank. Earlier I mentioned the rock you have on the left... that looks like it is fairly flat and basically triangular in shape. If you had more rock you could experiment with it as a table top/shelf piece...

Good luck with your rock work... my best advise is that you cant mess it up, no matter what you can always redo it. Just try to stay clear of glass anemones and hair algae!

[rocketeer]

I just redid the left half of my 120 gal reef. I learned a cool trick. I don't trust ca glue as much as I trust pins. Home Depot sells reflectors mounted on fiberglass rods in the signs department. They'er only about two dollars. Get a couple. You can also buy a 1/4 inch drill about 18 inches long. If your rock is like mine you can drill is easily. On the floor, position the rocks the way you want them and drill right through both rocks. Cut a pin the right length and slide it in the hole. It will never shift.

Jack

[blueboy]

a few pieces of branch rock would help make the tank look much more interesting

[Brett Wilson]

I also do the drilling method but I use acrylic rods from regal plastics.
Notice the rock hanging over the buddha's head, it's comprised of 6 rocks all connected together with rods.
http://www.killbuddha.com/images/reef/full_tank/smallDSCN8399.jpg
Please disregard the algae, that's my old tank and I solved my algae problem by eliminated the source (vs finding something to eat it)

[cbianco]

rocketeer

Nice looking tank!!! Why is the left side of tank so dark? Did you lose a light or did you mean for it to be darker?

All

I never though of drilling and using rods cool idea. Are the rods "threaded" into the rocks, bolted or just left there? Basically how were the rocks fastened to the rods?

Christopher

[Thunderkat]

Yeah, one more piece at the top to round it out, other thank that your tank looks pretty sweet!

[Brett Wilson]

cbianco, the rods are not threaded.
In my setup the rod just slides through the rock and is not fastened to the rock in any way. the rock just rests on it.

I may try and fasten the rods for my next setup though, we'll see.

[rocketeer]

Yeah, the rods are just slid in. Just make sure they're pretty long to distribute the load. I should also comment that I've heard that some rock breaks easily when you drill it. So be carefull.

I'm using less light on the left side of my tank. I have shallow water stuff on the right side and deep water stuff on the left... more or less.

Jack

[cbianco]

rocketeer

I like that idea. How is having shallow water and deeper water corals in the same tank working out? Have you encountered any problems specific to this situation?

Just curious,

Christopher

[rocketeer]

:huh Oops. I took too long writing and it called me a guest. That's ok I guest.

Jack

[cbianco]

rocketeer

So the VHO's extend the entire length of the tank and the MH is placed off to one side (2/3) of the tank? It sounds like the zoa's are trying to get their money's worth out of your tank (reaching to the MH side of the tank)! LOL.

Christopher