Should I secure my live rock?

[helen ann]

Ohhhhh ask questions anytime!!!;)

 

[stevo01]

Thank you, @helen ann!! This is gonna sound weird, but I feel like I know you because I've been lurking so long and following your BioCube thread! [emoji23] Thank you for posting it. It's so interesting! Also, glad you are back. [emoji122]

Awwwww isnt that cute :D

 

[TikiBird]

Awwwww isnt that cute :D

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[helen ann]

Awwwww isnt that cute :D

Everyone jealous of the BC owners!!! :p:p:p

 

[stevo01]

Everyone jealous of the BC owners!!! :p:p:p

I'm down with the BC :)

 

[TikiBird]

Here's some more rock pics...I had my kiddo shine a flashlight on them so I could check out the colors better! Just started a build thread...hoping this whole crazy thing turns out well!

 

[helen ann]

Make sure you have a 2 inch clearance on all sides, makes it easier when you are cleaning the tank.;)

 

[MrD]

I don't think there is any need to secure the rocks together. With a new tank it can be fun to move them around a bit until you get it to your liking too.

 

[BummersReef]

FYI ya'll on rock sticking stuff .... we used that new Tunze Coral Gum Instant for the first time the other day (made for sticking down frags but can also be used to help stabilize rocks etc.) and we really liked it A LOT! It's like the perfect combo between that epoxy (putty) stuff and super glue. Really easy to mix, wonderful consistency ... will harden in a minute or two but not totally STUCK like super glue. The color is also much better than the red epoxy stuff ... much more like real coraline

 

[FizxVix3n]

Thank you, @helen ann!! This is gonna sound weird, but I feel like I know you because I've been lurking so long and following your BioCube thread! [emoji23] Thank you for posting it. It's so interesting! Also, glad you are back. [emoji122]

Ditto lol I am living vicariously through you all until I get my bc29 up and running!

 

[TikiBird]

Ditto lol I am living vicariously through you all until I get my bc29 up and running!

When are you planning on getting yours going, @FizxVix3n? [emoji16]

 

[FizxVix3n]

I have the tank and stand up and some dry rock. I am debating if I have to secure it to the wall (baby running around who likes to investigate on tiptoes) or if the stock stand will be strong and steady enough on its own. I'm not very mechanical either so I hope I can just skip that part. Haha

 

[juanrmattos]

I always position the rock-work over an egg-crate (I know many reefers are biased about using them, but I usually cut it perimetrically around the layout of the rock, not as a single piece covering the floor area... Not only I have strong reasons to do it this way based on previous experiences, but this allows me to have a little sliding movement of the rock as a whole without major risk of movement if I ever need it, not to mention it helps to distribute the weight of the rock more efficiently and saves the glass from scratches while you work in it)... I also like to glue it using BRS Jurassic Gel, is clear and it works extremely well used on dry rock (It takes 24 hours to dry and around 60 total to cure - Not done this way, the bonding wont be strong enough afterwards). The use of any compound will also give you more flexibility to place the rock in amazing ways (You can also consider the use of Acrylic rods interconnecting pieces before gluing them, this is bullet proof).

Please think about this, growth in corals, sps particularly, is light oriented, so is recommended not to be moving them around (This voids the need of re-arranging the rock-work); also, by having them secured on the egg crate, assuming is not a massive structure, you'll have the ability to lift the colony with the help of another person in case you ever need to transport.

 

[Geno]

It maybe personal preference. But I say most definitely. It's all well and good till you get a pistol shrimp and then he could literally topple your whole structure. Sure, not securing them gives you options to change your scape. But if something falls on an expensive coral. It could ruin your day. Speaking from experience here.

 

[juanrmattos]

It maybe personal preference. But I say most definitely. It's all well and good till you get a pistol shrimp and then he could literally topple your whole structure. Sure, not securing them gives you options to change your scape. But if something falls on an expensive coral. It could ruin your day. Speaking from experience here.

^^^ My point exactly ^^^

Talk about the torque of Snails or Blue Hermit Crabs jacking up the rock-work, or even sea urchins... Not to mention the days you are clumsy doing your siphon :p

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have the tank and stand up and some dry rock. I am debating if I have to secure it to the wall (baby running around who likes to investigate on tiptoes) or if the stock stand will be strong and steady enough on its own. I'm not very mechanical either so I hope I can just skip that part. Haha

Imo, if its not left or right,(as you look at the tank) and its the first time it has been used its fine. I wouldnt trust it around a big wheel.(dating myself)
I DID NOT, like the quality of the stand, also no room to work or a decent place for my ato container and timers..
If I had it to do again Id go look for a cabinet or something from a thrift store consignment store (cool furniture junkie here:D). or from a larger cube aquarium on craigslist.
fwiw I didnt have kids around my stand. and still didnt like it. I think kids should be allowed to enjoy the family pet too, (and get finger prints all over the glass) and a short step stool and a good stand I think would help.
IMO IME;)

 

[FizxVix3n]

Imo, if its not left or right,(as you look at the tank) and its the first time it has been used its fine. I wouldnt trust it around a big wheel.(dating myself)
I DID NOT, like the quality of the stand, also no room to work or a decent place for my ato container and timers..
If I had it to do again Id go look for a cabinet or something from a thrift store consignment store (cool furniture junkie here:D). or from a larger cube aquarium on craigslist.
fwiw I didnt have kids around my stand. and still didnt like it. I think kids should be allowed to enjoy the family pet too, (and get finger prints all over the glass) and a short step stool and a good stand I think would help.
IMO IME;)

I agree and I regret getting the stand now, lol. The tank was my daughter's first Christmas present. She turned 1 yesterday so we thought we should actually get the tank running lol (life just got too busy for a while!). I added feet to elevate the stand and I think it looks better.

 

[JaimeAdams]

I would certainly secure the rock work if it is being stacked on each other at all. Over the years I have bumped rock while working in the tank or and the dogs playing around knocking into the tank and have had many rock avalanches even after everything seemed steady for long periods of time between.

 

[Yellowjacket]

I am also aquascaping my 150 tank. I am doing this modeling outside on a piece of plywood with lines drawn to give me 2" of clearance from the tank glass and overflow. I am putting the rock base together with 3/8 acrylic dowels using the same size masonry drill bit and using water to cool and lubricate the drilling. The rocks I am gluing I use two part epoxy sandwiched in between instant glue as I am building arches. The arches will be glued to the base rock formation Any live rock I am using I dip in a solution of Bayer insecticide for 15 minutes and two freshwater baths 15 minutes each. Always dip because you don't know what may be in the rocks and now is the time to get rid of hitchhikers. I am also using egg crate under each individual rock formation to keep sand sifters from undermining the rock. I plan on after the rock is in the tank putting in enough sand for about 2" base. good luck with your aquascaping.

 

[Salty1962]

After having so many rock slides over the years, I used 1/4" nylon rods on my lr to keep it from occurring in my new tank. Feel much better about it now. Haven't had any problems with the rods in them. JME