Do I have too much rock?

[momonosuke]

Hi everyone, first tank ever here. Just wanted some quick and honest opinions. I feel like I may have too much rock. I went with 2 large pieces, I have some extra small fragments of live rock I can use. I'm currently cycling and plan to someday achieve a mixed reef aquarium.

Any feedback is helpful!

 

[Laniac103]

I really like the two islands look with the arch that you've got going on! I would just make sure you've got some room between the glass and the rocks to make cleaning the glass easier and you should be good.

 

[get-salty]

It looks good but if you're planning on having fish.. id break it up to add hiding places.

 

[mfinn]

Looks fine to me.

 

[exnisstech]

It looks good but if you're planning on having fish.. id break it up to add hiding places.

Agreed. Looks good for coral but fish need caves and places where they can disappear to make them feel safe which reduces stress. Stress can be the death of fish.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

This looks WAY more natural to me than the elaborate wings and shelves I see a lot.

 

[JumboShrimp]

The fish will 'love' swimming through the upside-down-heart shape in the middle. Lol.

 

[momonosuke]

Agreed. Looks good for coral but fish need caves and places where they can disappear to make them feel safe which reduces stress. Stress can be the death of fish.

Would it be too much to add smaller rocks around/glue onto the main structure? I am battling between adding smaller rocks versus space. My 2nd option all together would be to break down one of the two big rocks and use that to create something else.

 

[Teddy99]

I think it depends a lot on what kind of Fish and corals you would like to add. If you do not want to add fish that hide in bigger caves, you wont need bigger caves, but maybe smaller holes for rock dwelling fish. If you want to add sand dwelling fish you should consider parts of your rock work disappearing behind Sand. If you are not sure yet, I would do a both, so you have the Choice afterwards.

I am new here as well, but wont have any larger fish. So my rock work wont have many larger caves.

 

[exnisstech]

Would it be too much to add smaller rocks around/glue onto the main structure? I am battling between adding smaller rocks versus space. My 2nd option all together would be to break down one of the two big rocks and use that to create something else.

Personally I'm not sure too much rock is a problem unless there's no room at for fish to swim. A lot depends on how many and the type of fish you want to keep. I'll assume smaller fish because the tank doesn't look large. Many gobies, blennies, fire fish etc. need places they can dart into and also to sleep in. Even my damsels and chromis have places to hide. If there isn't a place for every fish aggression can happen as they fight for a place of their own. In my large tank I have around 20 fish and every one of them disappears into the rocks when the lights go out. No fish is left out in the open exposed. Clown fish are probably an exception, they're fine with a powerhead to hang out next to lol.
Many people get caught up in how a rock scape looks to them which is fine but that should come secondary to providing habbit for tank inhabitants IMO. Your scape may have some nice hidy holes but it's hard for me to see details under the blue lights.

 

[mfinn]

Would it be too much to add smaller rocks around/glue onto the main structure? I am battling between adding smaller rocks versus space. My 2nd option all together would be to break down one of the two big rocks and use that to create something else.

I guess if you wanted to add more.
You set it up that way and I'm guessing you liked it?
This is your hobby. Do it the way you like it.
I think it has the potential to look pretty cool with corals and fish.

 

[GoAskAlice]

I think there are three basic rules as far as how much rock to add--

1. Enough to form an effective bio filter for the bio load you intend to eventually have.
2. Sufficient hiding places for your fish as @exnisstech noted above.
3. After that, an aquascape that looks good to you.