Reaquascaping an established tank

KB2202 · 03/18/2008, 09:46 AM

I have a 50 gallon tank 36"x24"x18" that has been established for 4 months. The only inhabitants are a maroon clown, BTA and a CUC. There is approximately 80-100 lbs of live rock. Most of the rock is sitting in a pile along the back of the tank, the rest is in the sump underneath the tank. I am tried of the "pile of rocks" look. I want to build a PCV pipe structure to set the rocks on for a different look and so I will have more mounting options for corals in the future.

What is the best way to accomplish this? I am concerned about pulling the rock out of the water for an extended period of time to attach it to the PVC. I have some coraline algae on the rocks that i do not want to lose. Also, will disturbing the sand cause any problems? I have about 1-2".

cdbias2 · 03/18/2008, 10:13 AM

Disturbing the sand will cause your biggest problems. Rearrange the rock without it being out of water for too long. Do it after you do a water change and sit it in the old water while your aquascaping.

KB2202 · 03/18/2008, 11:33 AM

What problems would be caused by disturbing the sand? Would it be better if I didn't move the rocks on the sand and just rearranged the other rocks? Then I would be minimizing the disturbance to the sand.

cdbias2 · 03/18/2008, 12:06 PM

Any disturbance of the sand bed usually results in some kind of spike/cycle.

03/18/2008, 09:46 AM	#1
KB2202 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 57	Reaquascaping an established tank I have a 50 gallon tank 36"x24"x18" that has been established for 4 months. The only inhabitants are a maroon clown, BTA and a CUC. There is approximately 80-100 lbs of live rock. Most of the rock is sitting in a pile along the back of the tank, the rest is in the sump underneath the tank. I am tried of the "pile of rocks" look. I want to build a PCV pipe structure to set the rocks on for a different look and so I will have more mounting options for corals in the future. What is the best way to accomplish this? I am concerned about pulling the rock out of the water for an extended period of time to attach it to the PVC. I have some coraline algae on the rocks that i do not want to lose. Also, will disturbing the sand cause any problems? I have about 1-2".

03/18/2008, 10:13 AM	#2
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	Disturbing the sand will cause your biggest problems. Rearrange the rock without it being out of water for too long. Do it after you do a water change and sit it in the old water while your aquascaping.

03/18/2008, 11:33 AM	#3
KB2202 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 57	What problems would be caused by disturbing the sand? Would it be better if I didn't move the rocks on the sand and just rearranged the other rocks? Then I would be minimizing the disturbance to the sand.

03/18/2008, 12:06 PM	#4
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	Any disturbance of the sand bed usually results in some kind of spike/cycle.