Is this too much rock in my 55?

piscivorous · 03/12/2010, 08:59 AM

I am starting to worry that this is actually too much rock in my 55 and I won't have room for growing out. I also don't have much room on, what will be, the sand bed. Unfortunately, I bought this rock from someone with a larger tank when they broke it down, so it is all really large chunks....what do you guys think?

WhoDey64 · 03/12/2010, 09:01 AM

In my opinion (for what thats worth) I would remove the one dead center that looks like a tree limb on its side. Other than that I like it, looks like a really clean build shaping up, and I am glad to see somebody with symmetry OCD like I have

RVANANO · 03/12/2010, 09:05 AM

agreed^

lordofthereef · 03/12/2010, 09:24 AM

I personally like the look of larger rocks as opposed to the pile of rubble that some people do in their tanks. I don't mind the look you have going, but plenty of people like the "island" look, which seems to be the case with the two posts previous mine. This is fine, of course. The point of the matter is do what YOU like. If you are afraid you overcrowded the tank with rock, you didn't. Arrange it how it suites you as it is yours to enjoy!

goldmaniac · 03/12/2010, 09:37 AM

you could buy some driveway reflectors at home depot with the fiberglass rods, cut off the rods, throw away the reflectors, drill some of that rock and stack the rock using the rods. This would un-clutter the look you have, or at least free up some floorspace.

But i like the look you have. i think it looks good.

lordofthereef · 03/12/2010, 09:42 AM

^ You can also just buy the rods if you don't want to complicate things

RVANANO · 03/12/2010, 09:43 AM

lolz

goldmaniac · 03/12/2010, 09:53 AM

I just bought the rods and took 10 days to come in. Home Depot reflectors with rods work, too.

if buying rods and cutting off the ends is too complicated, TAPplastics has them, cheap. the 3/8" rods are probably the thinnest rods that would not bend at all under weight of rocks. I bought 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" rods and 3/8" is what i'm going to use.

piscivorous · 03/12/2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDey64

In my opinion (for what thats worth) I would remove the one dead center that looks like a tree limb on its side. Other than that I like it, looks like a really clean build shaping up, and I am glad to see somebody with symmetry OCD like I have

Yeah, I sometimes thing I seriously have OCD. Just super concerned about flooding. I can't think of how it could happen at this point, as I have really high flow through both overflows (enough that no bubbles are able to accumulate to cause problems with the siphon) but at the same time, if somehow one gets blocked, the other can handle the flow. Two returns with anti-siphon holes drilled in them, though they are running through a SQWD which I am sure will cause problems at some point down the road, but I'll leave it for now. Yeah...I think I have OCD

Alex T. · 03/12/2010, 11:39 AM

Someone else with OCD! I think it's inherent in all us reefers.

I love your setup, and agree about removing the center tree limb rock. If you're going to be growing corals, that extra room will really give them some room to expand. look at Reefbum's March 2009 TOTM setup. It's much like yours and check out how everything grew in.

Looks great!

cloak · 03/12/2010, 12:05 PM

It looks a little to busy IMO. I would want more open areas between the rocks for better water movement.

Toddrtrex · 03/12/2010, 12:09 PM

Personally I would try to take that center piece and try to make it span the two "islands", could make a nice cave.

shermdawg · 03/12/2010, 12:17 PM

I don't think its to much but I do agree with the 'peeps' saying the middle rock is out of place. I never have been a fan of those style rocks....always go for the chunkier looking rocks that are really porous. I think I am going to do the rod stacking on my next tank.

Lyfey · 03/12/2010, 02:00 PM

Just my .02c,
I would remove the eggcrate, unless you are going to be adding sand. You will never be able to get the detritus out from the eggcrate. Never.

Mounda · 03/12/2010, 02:06 PM

I think it looks great

lougotzz · 03/12/2010, 03:17 PM

I like it this way. I tihnk its looks nice.

piscivorous · 03/12/2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyfey

Just my .02c,
I would remove the eggcrate, unless you are going to be adding sand. You will never be able to get the detritus out from the eggcrate. Never.

I'll be adding sand to it once the cycle is through. I know folks go back and forth on the eggcrate, but I liked having the eggcrate between the glass and the sharp points of the rock. Goes back to my whole OCD thing again

forrealb50 · 03/12/2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

Personally I would try to take that center piece and try to make it span the two "islands", could make a nice cave.

+1 Make the center rock a swim through to connec the two islands.

BLKTANG · 03/12/2010, 03:35 PM

? is do u like it?Thats the beauty of the home Reef aquairum.

stunreefer · 03/12/2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

^ You can also just buy the rods if you don't want to complicate things

You can use plastic (coat) hangers as well, just cut up the straight sides.

jb61264 · 03/12/2010, 04:02 PM

I don't think you have "too much" rock, but I agree with some about the middle piece...it looks a bit "out of place" so to speak?...maybe use that piece on the bottom and stack other rock on top off/around it.

The piece on the right is similar to the one in the middle compared to the rest of your rock...maybe do the same with that one where you have those two pieces "underneath" everything with the other rock that all looks similar on top of and around those...they would make nice "caves under all the rock for stars, shrimp, etc.

skanderson · 03/12/2010, 04:08 PM

i also agree not too much rock but i would use rods to stack it into more open isles. they look a bit too symetrical as it is. things might look nicer if they werent so even from side to side. maybe make one isle out the the shelf rock and the other out of the branch? that would help make the 2 sides not seem identical. just my 2c. oh one more thing, if you think you might have too much in there you are almost always right. its so easy to clutter up a tank and loose that open look.

ktellerman · 03/12/2010, 04:43 PM

The amount is fine. If you could make a bridge with the larger pice in the middle it would open up your circulation and make it easier to keep clean (and a hole for your fish to swim through - they like that). Nice job!

mthomp · 03/12/2010, 05:01 PM

i think the amount of rock is great! but i think it could all be arranged a little cleaner.

tgray3 · 03/12/2010, 05:08 PM

I like it. I'm not a fan of making caves and drilling/stacking. Like stated above; If YOU like it who cares if no one else does.

03/12/2010, 08:59 AM	#1
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	Is this too much rock in my 55? I am starting to worry that this is actually too much rock in my 55 and I won't have room for growing out. I also don't have much room on, what will be, the sand bed. Unfortunately, I bought this rock from someone with a larger tank when they broke it down, so it is all really large chunks....what do you guys think?

03/12/2010, 09:24 AM	#4
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I personally like the look of larger rocks as opposed to the pile of rubble that some people do in their tanks. I don't mind the look you have going, but plenty of people like the "island" look, which seems to be the case with the two posts previous mine. This is fine, of course. The point of the matter is do what YOU like. If you are afraid you overcrowded the tank with rock, you didn't. Arrange it how it suites you as it is yours to enjoy! __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

03/12/2010, 09:42 AM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	^ You can also just buy the rods if you don't want to complicate things __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

03/12/2010, 12:09 PM	#12
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Personally I would try to take that center piece and try to make it span the two "islands", could make a nice cave. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

03/12/2010, 03:35 PM	#19
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	? is do u like it?Thats the beauty of the home Reef aquairum. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

03/12/2010, 09:01 AM	#2
WhoDey64 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ft Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,311	In my opinion (for what thats worth) I would remove the one dead center that looks like a tree limb on its side. Other than that I like it, looks like a really clean build shaping up, and I am glad to see somebody with symmetry OCD like I have

03/12/2010, 09:05 AM	#3
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	agreed^

03/12/2010, 09:37 AM	#5
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	you could buy some driveway reflectors at home depot with the fiberglass rods, cut off the rods, throw away the reflectors, drill some of that rock and stack the rock using the rods. This would un-clutter the look you have, or at least free up some floorspace. But i like the look you have. i think it looks good.

03/12/2010, 09:43 AM	#7
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	lolz

03/12/2010, 09:53 AM	#8
goldmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,567	I just bought the rods and took 10 days to come in. Home Depot reflectors with rods work, too. if buying rods and cutting off the ends is too complicated, TAPplastics has them, cheap. the 3/8" rods are probably the thinnest rods that would not bend at all under weight of rocks. I bought 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" rods and 3/8" is what i'm going to use.

03/12/2010, 11:39 AM	#10
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	Someone else with OCD! I think it's inherent in all us reefers. I love your setup, and agree about removing the center tree limb rock. If you're going to be growing corals, that extra room will really give them some room to expand. look at Reefbum's March 2009 TOTM setup. It's much like yours and check out how everything grew in. Looks great!

03/12/2010, 12:05 PM	#11
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	It looks a little to busy IMO. I would want more open areas between the rocks for better water movement.

03/12/2010, 12:17 PM	#13
shermdawg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 55	I don't think its to much but I do agree with the 'peeps' saying the middle rock is out of place. I never have been a fan of those style rocks....always go for the chunkier looking rocks that are really porous. I think I am going to do the rod stacking on my next tank.

03/12/2010, 02:00 PM	#14
Lyfey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 842	Just my .02c, I would remove the eggcrate, unless you are going to be adding sand. You will never be able to get the detritus out from the eggcrate. Never.

03/12/2010, 02:06 PM	#15
Mounda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 452	I think it looks great

03/12/2010, 03:17 PM	#16
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	I like it this way. I tihnk its looks nice.

03/12/2010, 04:02 PM	#21
jb61264 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,112	I don't think you have "too much" rock, but I agree with some about the middle piece...it looks a bit "out of place" so to speak?...maybe use that piece on the bottom and stack other rock on top off/around it. The piece on the right is similar to the one in the middle compared to the rest of your rock...maybe do the same with that one where you have those two pieces "underneath" everything with the other rock that all looks similar on top of and around those...they would make nice "caves under all the rock for stars, shrimp, etc. __________________ In the end (and the begining) we're all just stardust anyway... Current Tank Info: 75 gallon SPS reef/55 gallon sump/6x54W TEK T5HO/Reef Octopus 200 Extreme Skimmer/Reef Octopus Single Chamber Calcium Reactor/RKL

03/12/2010, 04:08 PM	#22
skanderson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: baraboo,wi Posts: 428	i also agree not too much rock but i would use rods to stack it into more open isles. they look a bit too symetrical as it is. things might look nicer if they werent so even from side to side. maybe make one isle out the the shelf rock and the other out of the branch? that would help make the 2 sides not seem identical. just my 2c. oh one more thing, if you think you might have too much in there you are almost always right. its so easy to clutter up a tank and loose that open look.

03/12/2010, 04:43 PM	#23
ktellerman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 7	The amount is fine. If you could make a bridge with the larger pice in the middle it would open up your circulation and make it easier to keep clean (and a hole for your fish to swim through - they like that). Nice job!

03/12/2010, 05:01 PM	#24
mthomp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 766	i think the amount of rock is great! but i think it could all be arranged a little cleaner.

03/12/2010, 05:08 PM	#25
tgray3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 258	I like it. I'm not a fan of making caves and drilling/stacking. Like stated above; If YOU like it who cares if no one else does.