stacking live rock

[glarior]

I am going to rearrange my reef aquarium today. However, is there a secret to stacking the rock? I have seen pictures of aquariums having it stacked to the top which looks awesome with all the corals. How do they do that with out it falling over?

I usually stack it on the back glass half way up but thinking of moving it away from the glass so I can clean easier.

Suggestions? Tank has ~23" stackable height and ~16" depth

[Europhyllia]

I used nylon rods to stabilize mine. Ace just mentioned he used massive amounts of super glue for his

[glarior]

I used nylon rods to stabilize mine. Ace just mentioned he used massive amounts of super glue for his

Nylon rods... do you drill the rock? tie to the rods? I am 100% oblivious to this one. As for super glue I would like to be able to pull the rock apart later on.

Edit: nevermind. I found a really good post about this while searching around on google!

[Europhyllia]

I've done drilled with rods:
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?59626-Rocks-Rods-and-Nuts-finished-pic-p.-2

and undrilled with mortar:
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?61000-Foam-Free-Backdrop-Project&highlight=mortar
and here:
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?63478-SHOWLR-is-here-%29-shrimp-catching-video-p8&p=795771#post795771

[Mike]

We just stack it carefully. Kristy says they fit together like puzzle pieces. You just have to find the right fit.

[allan]

I'm with Karin, only I use cut off pieces of the super sized hangers... But I use a bit of Mikes method of finding a good fit. If it doesn't fit well it may not look natural.

[Europhyllia]

I thought my screwed together structure might be a little over cautious. But then I read about Ace's rock disaster and I am glad I went all out to begin with and not have to worry about anything tumbling.

[ismvel]

i have used acrylic rods that you can find at places like Regal Plastics....$ 6 - $10 depending on thickness of the rod per 6 foot piece. Yes you have to drill the rock for the most part, but they are pretty soft. Then once you have the arrangement you like, you can fill in the holes with pond foam. That will stabilize it. :)

[FireWater]

i have used acrylic rods that you can find at places like Regal Plastics....$ 6 - $10 depending on thickness of the rod per 6 foot piece. Yes you have to drill the rock for the most part, but they are pretty soft. Then once you have the arrangement you like, you can fill in the holes with pond foam. That will stabilize it. :)

This is exactly how I do it as well Ismael. Will be doing it again with the new build as well. Karin did a great job with her build using the nylon threaded rods as well.

[Regric25]

I have a 20" tank and I made 2 islands and carefully fitted the rock together and balanced everything. I made sure the structure is on the bottom glass just in case diggers decide to make the rock shift. I also only stacked the rock 1/2 way up the tank to allow for SPS to grow. I have this rule (im sure others have theis ruls also) that I have to be able to get to ALL of the glass all the way around with a magfloat and a scraper rod. Good Luck to you!

[Mrs. z28pwr]

Stack and pray!!!! lol

[glarior]

I have a 20" tank and I made 2 islands and carefully fitted the rock together and balanced everything. I made sure the structure is on the bottom glass just in case diggers decide to make the rock shift. I also only stacked the rock 1/2 way up the tank to allow for SPS to grow. I have this rule (im sure others have theis ruls also) that I have to be able to get to ALL of the glass all the way around with a magfloat and a scraper rod. Good Luck to you!

Thats the new rule I made last night with the magfloat!

When I move the tank again later this year I will use nylon rods and drill the rock. However, I did rearrange the tank last night and it looks good. Best part is I can clean the glass with the mag float now!!!