How bad is it to have rock against back wall?

gaubow22 · 12/06/2012, 09:14 PM

The way I my rock set up, it is dead center in the middle of my 90g tank. I can literally run the mag float all the way around without touching the rock. However, it seems that all of my "wildlife" like to hang out behind the rock, whereas I want them a little more visible...

So, how much would you suppose that I am sacrificing if I re-arrange my rock to that it is against the backwall. Do many of you guys have rock against your back wall?

wyoung609 · 12/06/2012, 09:18 PM

I have set a few tanks up that way. Always regret it for a few reasons all pertaining to cleanliness. Also god forbid something dies, it always ends up behind the rocks against the glass. But I do like the way it looks...if you could just never grow nuisance algae you'd be fine haha.

Jpruitt546 · 12/06/2012, 10:11 PM

+1 on critter dying and you not being able to get them out. But it does give you plenty of options for your aquascaping desire. Just be sure to run some kind of phosband so your don't have and overgrowth of nuisance algae

TimmyD16 · 12/06/2012, 11:47 PM

You can always do it, but like others have said, it makes it exceptionally difficult to clean around your rock-work...

Mussin · 12/07/2012, 07:23 AM

I have my rock stacked up on my back wall and over flow. It give the tank depth and adds more swimming room for the fish. I did leave alot of gaps for fish to hang out/hide/sleep. Looks good.

FlyFishGuy · 12/07/2012, 10:23 AM

+1 on gaps and hiding places! It is less important, IMHO, where the rock work is placed than how it is placed. The more holes, caverns, channels, etc. that are available to the fish, the more they will feel safe and swim out in the open. They just need to know that if they feel threatened, they can quickly retreat to a safe spot.

The largest problem with rocks against the glass, as others have mentioned, is that it can be difficult to provide enough circulation back there to prevent detritus build up and a resulting nitrate problem.

cloak · 12/07/2012, 12:38 PM

I've never had any problem leaning the rocks against the back glass. Like others have mentioned, you'll want to create as many open spaces as you can for hiding places & circulation, but detritus accumulation can be solved with a small powerhead. Right before you do a water change, just blow the detritus up into the water column. Piece of cake. Running a filter sock during this time wouldn't hurt either. GL.

Palting · 12/07/2012, 01:17 PM

No problems stacking rocks up against the back wall for me, either. Tank has been running for almost 3 years. The key is HOW you stack the rocks in relation to your tank flow. My flow goes back to front at the surface and front to back at the substrate, and I have a lot of crevices and channels that let the water flow right through the rocks.

12/06/2012, 09:14 PM	#1
gaubow22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bolingbrook, Illinois Posts: 114	How bad is it to have rock against back wall? The way I my rock set up, it is dead center in the middle of my 90g tank. I can literally run the mag float all the way around without touching the rock. However, it seems that all of my "wildlife" like to hang out behind the rock, whereas I want them a little more visible... So, how much would you suppose that I am sacrificing if I re-arrange my rock to that it is against the backwall. Do many of you guys have rock against your back wall?

12/06/2012, 11:47 PM	#4
TimmyD16 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 280	You can always do it, but like others have said, it makes it exceptionally difficult to clean around your rock-work... __________________ ~TimmyD “Jellyfish are 97% water or something, so how much are they doing? Just give them another 3% and make them water. It's more useful.” Karl Pilkington

12/07/2012, 07:23 AM	#5
Mussin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lima,Ohio Posts: 728	I have my rock stacked up on my back wall and over flow. It give the tank depth and adds more swimming room for the fish. I did leave alot of gaps for fish to hang out/hide/sleep. Looks good. __________________ 120RR tank/ 30g sump, mag 9.5, SWC cone 160, Reefbreeders photon 48

12/07/2012, 01:17 PM	#8
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	No problems stacking rocks up against the back wall for me, either. Tank has been running for almost 3 years. The key is *HOW* you stack the rocks in relation to your tank flow. My flow goes back to front at the surface and front to back at the substrate, and I have a lot of crevices and channels that let the water flow right through the rocks. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

12/06/2012, 09:18 PM	#2
wyoung609 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Snowville Posts: 54	I have set a few tanks up that way. Always regret it for a few reasons all pertaining to cleanliness. Also god forbid something dies, it always ends up behind the rocks against the glass. But I do like the way it looks...if you could just never grow nuisance algae you'd be fine haha.

12/06/2012, 10:11 PM	#3
Jpruitt546 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 74	+1 on critter dying and you not being able to get them out. But it does give you plenty of options for your aquascaping desire. Just be sure to run some kind of phosband so your don't have and overgrowth of nuisance algae

12/07/2012, 10:23 AM	#6
FlyFishGuy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Solon, OH Posts: 70	+1 on gaps and hiding places! It is less important, IMHO, where the rock work is placed than how it is placed. The more holes, caverns, channels, etc. that are available to the fish, the more they will feel safe and swim out in the open. They just need to know that if they feel threatened, they can quickly retreat to a safe spot. The largest problem with rocks against the glass, as others have mentioned, is that it can be difficult to provide enough circulation back there to prevent detritus build up and a resulting nitrate problem.

12/07/2012, 12:38 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I've never had any problem leaning the rocks against the back glass. Like others have mentioned, you'll want to create as many open spaces as you can for hiding places & circulation, but detritus accumulation can be solved with a small powerhead. Right before you do a water change, just blow the detritus up into the water column. Piece of cake. Running a filter sock during this time wouldn't hurt either. GL.