Rock work

[seanb600]

Good evening all,
After a two year break I’m starting a new tank. It’s a Red Sea reefer 170. Question is do you think the rockscape is too tall?

 

[york1]

I like it.Plenty of ledges top to bottom

 

[Primereddime]

I really like it if say as long as your not planning on tall corals roll with it

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[seanb600]

I was thinking acros up top
Lps in middle and shroom’s, zoa’s
Down low
A mixed reef.
for now a 150w MH and 4 24” t5’s
Until I can find a 6 or 8 bulb ATI fixture

 

[seanb600]

I was thinking about removing the one I circled

 

[jcook54]

You know, I like tall structure with lots of ledges. It sounds like you're going to have plenty of light and if you want to do acros on top, you've got to account for a few inches of growth, say 3"-4" ? I personally like a inch or two of water above the tops of the coral to create a visual break and would make sure that the rock I want to place an acro on is at least 5" beneath the surface of the water.

 

[seanb600]

Pics with the real lights on
150watt 14k
3 giesemann actinic
1 giesemann purple whatever they call it

 

[hubble]

I like it,

 

[ActiveAngel]

I like the look. But in my opinion; yes, it’s much too tall.

My general rule of thumb for any tank that you’re planning on having for more than a year, this is especially true with Acros or other branching corals; the rockwork should proceed about 30-50% high up the tank, depending on tank volume. You’re around the 85% mark I would say... and it would long-term look better if this could be cut down to 50% or so.

30% may seem ridiculously low for the new reefer. But if you see a tank designed at 30%, 50%, and 70% after 1-2 years of growth, you’ll see exactly what I mean. I think most of the truly stunning reef tanks that I’ve seen have rockwork maxing out around that 30% mark.

 

[NanCrab]

Just an observation, and I'm completely new at this and havent set up my first DT yet...isnt the rock supposed to be directly on the floor of the aquarium and not on the sand? Or is that just personal preference? I do like the way it looks though

 

[ActiveAngel]

Just an observation, and I'm completely new at this and havent set up my first DT yet...isnt the rock supposed to be directly on the floor of the aquarium and not on the sand? Or is that just personal preference? I do like the way it looks though

You’re absolutely correct. Perhaps his sand bed just looks low though. If not, that’s an easy fix to lower the rockwork an inch.

 

[ZapataInc]

Just an observation, and I'm completely new at this and havent set up my first DT yet...isnt the rock supposed to be directly on the floor of the aquarium and not on the sand? Or is that just personal preference? I do like the way it looks though

Yes the rocks should rest on the bottom of the tank and not on the sand. The picture might be deceiving but it does look like it is on the floor and the sand is just covering it up.

 

[Eric_n_Ga]

You’re absolutely correct. Perhaps his sand bed just looks low though. If not, that’s an easy fix to lower the rockwork an inch.

Yes just get a pistol shrimp ..lol

 

[Eric_n_Ga]

I went really high with my rock work at first . After 6 months I was taking it out to rearrange it. Now I'm at 50% of the tank height . Actually have more rock in the tank now then when it started too. Just added 7more lbs Sunday to spread the base out a little more to free up some room . Corals that will like that much light are going to grow straight towards it and you'll be out if the water quick. As well as it's almost always easier to add a rock then take one out after the tanks up and running with coral in it.

 

[sharis100]

I was thinking acros up top
Lps in middle and shroom’s, zoa’s
Down low
A mixed reef.
for now a 150w MH and 4 24” t5’s
Until I can find a 6 or 8 bulb ATI fixture

You should look at coral fish zoas on Instagram- he runs a 170 and has done two different scapes in it- both beautiful.

 

[seanb600]

Thank you all for the advice.
the rocks are on the bottom of the tank
This is my 5th tank I’m just not good at the rock work

 

[seanb600]

This is how it started. Then I added the sand
I only have a 1 1/2 of sand I don’t like deep sand beds

 

[NanCrab]

This is how it started. Then I added the sand
I only have a 1 1/2 of sand I don’t like deep sand beds
View attachment 17441

Thanks for the pic! You did a really nice job.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Despite my critique/agreement regarding height, I still think the rockwork looks great!

 

[seanb600]

You guys were absolutely right thank you for the advice. I actually think this looks a lot better