New reef tank - building reef questions

[softechvt]

So brand new 125g tank, first ever salt / reef tank. Have questions concerning building the reef. I have these big 'ol honking chunks of reef rock - some as small as (L X W X H) 6" X 6" X 4", some as large as 12" X 12" X 8". Should I use these whole, or break them up into smaller more manageable pieces? Want to build a fairly good size reef for corals. I have acrylic rods and reef cement for building, so stability not really a concern - I just need to build it in pieces and get it in there. Second question is, having never placed a coral into a tank before should I be trying to leave (or make) shelves / platforms on these rock for placing frags, or when placing a coral do I just find an open spot and glue it on, vertical / horizontal placement be d*mned? Last question (for the moment) is I have the greatest width in the middle of the tank, so is there a reason not to build the high point (and longest depth front to back) in the center, sloping and narrowing to both sides? Thanks.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Even in a 125, I think roc that's 12"x12"x8" seems a bit large to me, I might break those up.

You ca absolutely leave shelves ledge, etc. in you auqascape. Some corals can be placed vertically too.

I'm sure others will see this and be able to offer more advice.

Good luck!

 

[BryanM]

I don;t think that large rock(s) are too large.

It took me over a week of tweaking to get my rock where I liked it.

Gotta place it, provide hiding spots and swim lanes, and let it settle, and adjust... it really just takes some time, and there's almost no wrong answers.

 

[softechvt]

I don;t think that large rock(s) are too large.

It took me over a week of tweaking to get my rock where I liked it.

Gotta place it, provide hiding spots and swim lanes, and let it settle, and adjust... it really just takes some time, and there's almost no wrong answers.

Any suggestions on leaving swim lanes? By the time I get rocks close enough together to put more rocks on top, no room. Should I try to break up some to get long thin pieces I could use for bridges or something? I'm struggling to find a way to pile them high without making them unstable. I've got reef cement and rods I can use, but by the time I get a couple placed on top of each other the base takes up the entire depth of the aquarium almost. How high should I be trying to get (how close to the top of the tank)? Thanks

 

[BryanM]

Any suggestions on leaving swim lanes? By the time I get rocks close enough together to put more rocks on top, no room. Should I try to break up some to get long thin pieces I could use for bridges or something? I'm struggling to find a way to pile them high without making them unstable. I've got reef cement and rods I can use, but by the time I get a couple placed on top of each other the base takes up the entire depth of the aquarium almost. How high should I be trying to get (how close to the top of the tank)? Thanks

Pics might help, though its pretty hard to see well from a pic.

I'd probably just try removing the largest rock first and see what you can make without that one in there.