How to Aquascape Live Rock

[Ben Butler]

Hello,

I wanted to see if someone could give me some advice on how to aquascape with live rock. Is it best to put the live rock formation together outside the tank and then place in the tank or do it inside the tank? If you do the aquascaping outside the tank, how long do can you keep the live rock out while doing the aquascaping? Is there anything else to be aware of when aquascaping with live rock?

Thank you all for your help!

Ben

 

[Big G]

Best to aquascape with "live rock" in the tank's water. But sometimes you need to briefly take the rock out to drill, chip, or glue together. So a squirt bottle of tank water and a towel soaked in tank water helps keep down evaporation; keeping the rock wet while out of the tank helps quite a bit. If you keep it wet, you can take your time as needed.

 

[Ben Butler]

So the live rock needs to be wet the entire time it seems (or taken out for a very brief time). When doing this aquascaping, does putting in the rock mean a mini cycle needs to occur or are you good to go? What all do you use to attach live rock to each other?

 

[Jvesche20]

You can use epoxy or theres this cement type stuff.
https://www.marinedepot.com/NYOS_RE...MIi_2qivOT4QIVSrXACh0gTwQXEAQYASABEgLnvfD_BwE

 

[KrisReef]

Here is a little thread on the subject. If you already have the rock you will want to put it into a bucket with saltwater while you browse this thread for the assembled wisdom of the ages is all right here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/

GL

 

[Big G]

I use this method: Rock + superglue gel + Apoxie Sculpt + superglue gel + Rock

 

[Jason mack]

Try aquaforest stone fix ....can be used in water as well as out ....did my whole scape with it ...

 

[Ben Butler]

My big worry is doing the aquascaping and somehow the live parts get disturbed or die off... I just want to make sure I am doing the process right and with the right materials

 

[Jason mack]

My big worry is doing the aquascaping and somehow the live parts get disturbed or die off... I just want to make sure I am doing the process right and with the right materials

You can safely have your live rock out of water for 20-30 mins without losing anything ....you can also cover it with wet paper while you work on it 20 mins is long enough for stone fix to dry ...I've left corals out of water that long on stone scapes I was doing without negative effect

 

[Delatedlotus]

Try aquaforest stone fix ....can be used in water as well as out ....did my whole scape with it ...

While it was in the tank..?

 

[Delatedlotus]

You can safely have your live rock out of water for 20-30 mins without losing anything ....you can also cover it with wet paper while you work on it 20 mins is long enough for stone fix to dry ...I've left corals out of water that long on stone scapes I was doing without negative effect

Really.... I am scared of that kind of.

 

[Jason mack]

Really.... I am scared of that kind of.

No need yoo be ..just keep a plant spray bottle on hand with tank water in and spray every now and again ..youll be fine

 

[HB AL]

Just eliminate your perceived issues and fill the tank with saltwater and sand if your using sand then set up your aquascape until you like it. Ive never really been to anal about my aquascape other than having alot of rock in my tanks and placing the rocks to maximize the area for the corals placements. Eventually the corals grow and not much of the rocks can been seen. Here's a pic of my aquascape.

 

[carameldoc]

Just eliminate your perceived issues and fill the tank with saltwater and sand if your using sand then set up your aquascape until you like it. Ive never really been to anal about my aquascape other than having alot of rock in my tanks and placing the rocks to maximize the area for the corals placements. Eventually the corals grow and not much of the rocks can been seen. Here's a pic of my aquascape.

Beautiful tank there! Are your corals/live rock touching the glass - does this really make maintenance etc that much more difficult?

 

[HB AL]

Beautiful tank there! Are your corals/live rock touching the glass - does this really make maintenance etc that much more difficult?

They do touch on the side panels but I dont clean the left side just the right and front panels so its less maintenance.