Live Rock Arrangement what is safe what isn't....

[lunchie]

Okay, I have been in the hobby now for just a year and I made some serious mistakes and now have the ability to start correcting them. So this time I want to make sure I do things correctly! I am preparing to completely rip my tank apart and take out the CC substrate and put in a DSB while the tank is apart I want to redo the placement of my live rock. But I have some concerns.

What can you use safely to adhere the rock together?

How long can I safely have my rock out of the water before I risk losing the algea and so forth?

IS there a good way and a bad way to arrange the rock?

I guess basically I am asking the does and don'ts of arranging the rock! Any input and/or pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[reedman]

What can you use safely to adhere the rock together?

There are several methods:

• zip ties
• ceramic drill bit and acrylic rods
• two part epoxy

How long can I safely have my rock out of the water before I risk losing the algea and so forth?

I wouldn't worry about this. You have several hours at the least to do this. If you go past a day I would start thinking about using tubs with water as holding bins.

IS there a good way and a bad way to arrange the rock?

Yes. Good way is open allowing flow throughout the tank and remaining appealing to your eye. Also keep the rock off the walls of your tank. Preferably keep 4-6" clearance from the walls to facilitate cleaning.

Avoid the berlin wall look where all the rock is stacked against the back wall in a tight fashion. Also, think about the fish you want to keep. Are they big swimmers (leave open space), are they cave dwellers, are they territorial (maybe two towers of rocks on oposing sides of the tank would help). Think of how you want your corals to look and where they would naturally occur (cliffs, reef crest, lagoon).

I suggest surfing the web to find a nice coral reef pic to emulate. You'll never get it to match, but it's a good jumping off point.

 

[Krish]

I'm a stacker, but Reed makes very good points on all aspects of aquascaping. Not much can be added to his advice (as usual )
Best of luck to ya!