Critique my Rock-Work..... Work in progress, comments, suggestions welcome!

KromiX · 05/08/2010, 08:06 PM

Just starting to put together the rocks on my 40Breeder and have been playing around with designs.... here are some pics, don't mind the power heads, just mixing around, tank is currently barebottom, but have not added the sand yet.....

Comments Suggestions and ideas welcome...

plan to house lots of corals (stonys and soft/lps) and some fish...

100%hydrophylic · 05/08/2010, 08:16 PM

looks pretty good to me.

greech · 05/08/2010, 08:29 PM

Agree, looks good!

KafudaFish · 05/08/2010, 08:34 PM

Looks good.

See what it would look like if you removed the center rock with the small hole in it.

Koddie Doo · 05/08/2010, 09:13 PM

looks good are you going to keep the vortch in the front?

williamjhitchcock · 05/08/2010, 10:55 PM

wow i have almost the same set up. looks nice!

nickandkara · 05/08/2010, 11:53 PM

Setup looks nice I am just a little concerned about the surface area for longterm coral growth. Might want to add a little depth, but the pictures could be decieving. Looks great and nice rock.

Greenmaster · 05/09/2010, 12:35 AM

Look really nice but I'm a little worried about the stability of the rocks on the left... that can be fixed if you glue or use acrylic rods or something... it may be stable it just looks worrisome to me and you don't want a fish or coral getting crushed under a rock.

__________________
My 320g tank build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1840581
If you don't like what you are looking at you are looking at it the wrong way.

KromiX · 05/09/2010, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koddie Doo

looks good are you going to keep the vortch in the front?

No, the vortech is just there for now...

KromiX · 05/09/2010, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickandkara

Setup looks nice I am just a little concerned about the surface area for longterm coral growth. Might want to add a little depth, but the pictures could be decieving. Looks great and nice rock.

I see what your saying, I'll play with the rocks on the left some more tomorrow...

aixelsyd18 · 05/09/2010, 10:25 PM

Love the arch you have in there. Looks great!

Frick-n-Frags · 05/10/2010, 08:14 AM

it sucks, do it over.

ok, i say that to everyone.

if you like it, then it is just right.
(looks pretty good to me actually)

you will probably tweak the layout anyway as you add things, like lets say you get a big slab of shroom rock or w/e, maybe something has to go, or a stability issue reshuffle needs to happen for example.

Matt Dean · 05/10/2010, 08:41 AM

Very nice Kromix, I too, would consider removing that small center rock- with the hole in it. When you start putting corals in the tank, that rock will more than likely just be in the way.

How are the rocks secured? As mentioned before, I would use acrylic rods, zip ties, epoxy, etc to make sure things stay where you want them. I just drilled and zip tied my rocks together, then added D-D Aquascape 2 part putty to the joints and covering the zip ties. It is VERY solid. Here's a pic of what I did when I first set up my tank. I have since added a third arch to the left side of the center piece. You couldn't move the rocks if you wanted to.

whipit · 05/10/2010, 09:01 AM

looooookks fabulous no need to change it

r-balljunkie · 05/10/2010, 09:25 AM

You are not taking full advantage of the nice plating live rock you have. I would remove some of the larger pieces, and use to create more ledges. you need more balance...i would suggest two separate formations of live rock, with a break in between that is open, front to back.

You also need to take into consideration final placement of the pumps, thus I would lower your overall height to allow for good circulation.

Matt Dean has it nailed, nice looking scaping, dude.

GL

c

Matt Dean · 05/10/2010, 11:07 AM

Thanks r-balljunkie. I'm pretty happy with it and, likeyou said, the flow is great everywhere in the tank.

csmfish · 05/10/2010, 12:08 PM

Not sure about that slef/slab thingy on the lower left, but everything else looks good.

Fizz71 · 05/10/2010, 12:20 PM

Personally I'd move the shelf on the left to center and relocate the donut at the top IF you're looking to keep a lot of branching type SPSs. The reason being...your corals need a good surface to mount AND grow up. I've often made the mistake of building my rock too high because it looks good now, only to find my corals will now be mounted 2 inches from the surface as a frag!

If you're looking to grow a lot of encrusting corals like shrooms, zoas or even SPS that never venture more than an inch or so up...well...then it's perfect.

KromiX · 05/14/2010, 05:03 PM

Round #2, what do you think?

Added the sand, took out some rock from the top including the donut one you guys mentioned to allow more room for SPS that grow upwards...

used the plating rock better..

This setup i feel creates nooks/crannies for fish to hide under ledges, better utilizes the plating corals for space for corals, should be better for circulation ...

Comments?

Greenmaster · 05/14/2010, 06:03 PM

I like it much better

r-balljunkie · 05/14/2010, 06:05 PM

much much improved. I like it better. I think the middle plate piece is out of balance. remember to consider the space req'd for addition of corals..... I would remove it(even though its a bit structural on the left side, holding up a piece,,,,replace it with something else) or swap it out with the lower shelf on the left side, if you have the depth for it.

i used that rock in my last tank, loved it.
once again, looking good!

here is a pic.....

mark54321 · 05/14/2010, 09:12 PM

I like a lot,nice job

Pallobi · 05/14/2010, 09:17 PM

may i ask what size vortech that is? im curious as to the size, i jus ordered the smallest of the 3 models myself... and i like the second go around on the rock as well, not that the first was bad, but good job jus the same my friend!

KromiX · 05/14/2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pallobi

may i ask what size vortech that is? im curious as to the size, i jus ordered the smallest of the 3 models myself... and i like the second go around on the rock as well, not that the first was bad, but good job jus the same my friend!

Thanks, that one is an MP20

05/08/2010, 08:06 PM	#1
KromiX V.I.P Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 1,092	Critique my Rock-Work..... Work in progress, comments, suggestions welcome! Just starting to put together the rocks on my 40Breeder and have been playing around with designs.... here are some pics, don't mind the power heads, just mixing around, tank is currently barebottom, but have not added the sand yet..... Comments Suggestions and ideas welcome... plan to house lots of corals (stonys and soft/lps) and some fish...

05/08/2010, 08:29 PM	#3
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Agree, looks good! __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

05/08/2010, 09:13 PM	#5
Koddie Doo Czar of All ThingsAwesome Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: O'Fallon, IL Posts: 2,578	looks good are you going to keep the vortch in the front? __________________ I like to superglue living creatures to rocks and suspend a crazy amount of light inches away from the surface of the water just to stare at it. Mostly Softies and Nems / Marineland 90 / RS-200 3rd

05/09/2010, 10:25 PM	#11
aixelsyd18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 64	Love the arch you have in there. Looks great! __________________ 1 True Perc, 1 Black and White clown, Blue/Green Chromi, Lawnmower Blenny, Serpant Star, Feather Duster, various crabs,shrimp, and snails

05/10/2010, 08:14 AM	#12
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	it sucks, do it over. ok, i say that to everyone. if you like it, then it is just right. (looks pretty good to me actually) you will probably tweak the layout anyway as you add things, like lets say you get a big slab of shroom rock or w/e, maybe something has to go, or a stability issue reshuffle needs to happen for example. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

05/08/2010, 08:16 PM	#2
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	looks pretty good to me. __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

05/08/2010, 08:34 PM	#4
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Looks good. See what it would look like if you removed the center rock with the small hole in it.

05/08/2010, 10:55 PM	#6
williamjhitchcock Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Saint Petersburg Fl Posts: 205	wow i have almost the same set up. looks nice!

05/08/2010, 11:53 PM	#7
nickandkara Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 58	Setup looks nice I am just a little concerned about the surface area for longterm coral growth. Might want to add a little depth, but the pictures could be decieving. Looks great and nice rock.

05/09/2010, 12:35 AM	#8
Greenmaster Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 700	Look really nice but I'm a little worried about the stability of the rocks on the left... that can be fixed if you glue or use acrylic rods or something... it may be stable it just looks worrisome to me and you don't want a fish or coral getting crushed under a rock. __________________ My 320g tank build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1840581 If you don't like what you are looking at you are looking at it the wrong way.

05/10/2010, 08:41 AM	#13
Matt Dean I don't like wet hands! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 555	Very nice Kromix, I too, would consider removing that small center rock- with the hole in it. When you start putting corals in the tank, that rock will more than likely just be in the way. How are the rocks secured? As mentioned before, I would use acrylic rods, zip ties, epoxy, etc to make sure things stay where you want them. I just drilled and zip tied my rocks together, then added D-D Aquascape 2 part putty to the joints and covering the zip ties. It is VERY solid. Here's a pic of what I did when I first set up my tank. I have since added a third arch to the left side of the center piece. You couldn't move the rocks if you wanted to.

05/10/2010, 09:01 AM	#14
whipit Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 313	looooookks fabulous no need to change it

05/10/2010, 09:25 AM	#15
r-balljunkie Registered Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2,059	You are not taking full advantage of the nice plating live rock you have. I would remove some of the larger pieces, and use to create more ledges. you need more balance...i would suggest two separate formations of live rock, with a break in between that is open, front to back. You also need to take into consideration final placement of the pumps, thus I would lower your overall height to allow for good circulation. Matt Dean has it nailed, nice looking scaping, dude. GL c

05/10/2010, 11:07 AM	#16
Matt Dean I don't like wet hands! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 555	Thanks r-balljunkie. I'm pretty happy with it and, likeyou said, the flow is great everywhere in the tank.

05/10/2010, 12:08 PM	#17
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	Not sure about that slef/slab thingy on the lower left, but everything else looks good.

05/10/2010, 12:20 PM	#18
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Personally I'd move the shelf on the left to center and relocate the donut at the top IF you're looking to keep a lot of branching type SPSs. The reason being...your corals need a good surface to mount AND grow up. I've often made the mistake of building my rock too high because it looks good now, only to find my corals will now be mounted 2 inches from the surface as a frag! If you're looking to grow a lot of encrusting corals like shrooms, zoas or even SPS that never venture more than an inch or so up...well...then it's perfect.

05/14/2010, 05:03 PM	#19
KromiX V.I.P Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 1,092	Round #2, what do you think? Added the sand, took out some rock from the top including the donut one you guys mentioned to allow more room for SPS that grow upwards... used the plating rock better.. This setup i feel creates nooks/crannies for fish to hide under ledges, better utilizes the plating corals for space for corals, should be better for circulation ... Comments?

05/14/2010, 06:03 PM	#20
Greenmaster Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 700	I like it much better __________________ If you want to follow my 320g tall tank build/experiment click the search at the top of the page type in "320g" select "Search Titles Only" then click search. The "320g build/journey/experiment :-)" with more then one page is the one you want. Current Tank Info: 320g Build in progress

05/14/2010, 06:05 PM	#21
r-balljunkie Registered Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2,059	much much improved. I like it better. I think the middle plate piece is out of balance. remember to consider the space req'd for addition of corals..... I would remove it(even though its a bit structural on the left side, holding up a piece,,,,replace it with something else) or swap it out with the lower shelf on the left side, if you have the depth for it. i used that rock in my last tank, loved it. once again, looking good! here is a pic.....

05/14/2010, 09:12 PM	#22
mark54321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 2,040	I like a lot,nice job __________________ ############## ______MARK_______ ##############

05/14/2010, 09:17 PM	#23
Pallobi CTARS, BRS & OSRAS Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,001	may i ask what size vortech that is? im curious as to the size, i jus ordered the smallest of the 3 models myself... and i like the second go around on the rock as well, not that the first was bad, but good job jus the same my friend! __________________ Zoas & Palys

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My 34g Solana w/ custom stand/light progress thread. Suggestions welcome!	Radioheadx14	Nano Reefs	66	02/19/2009 11:52 PM
Critique my rock work.	Mr. Brooks	Reef Discussion	59	11/14/2008 04:05 PM
here's a question on lighting, comments, suggestions, snyde remarks?	reefsahoy	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	6	03/06/2007 03:20 PM
First Time Aquascaping. Comments/Suggestions	FZ1Rider	New to the Hobby	9	02/21/2007 09:31 AM
My Lighting Setup. Comments/Suggestions please.	HotRod68Camaro	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	01/15/2006 02:20 PM