Sps suggestions

[Jvesche20]

I’m having a hard time figuring out what to do/ and what type of rock to use. This is what I really want. Something similar to this? My tank is 6ft long 2 ft wide and 2.5 ft tall. So I would need 2 or 3 of these structures to be pretty tall.

now is this justThis? Some guy is selling 200 lbs of this for $150 dry right down the road from me. So if that’s the case I’m gonna go take it all. But what are the cliff parts made of? Same thing or something different? Maybe I can cut the rock and create these shelves for the sps.


So that’s one build that I really like. Just want it to be taller. But here’s another example of what I like

I just don’t know what would create this structure. I wanted to use tunga Rock but I can’t afford $12+/lb. I have to make a scape for 220 gallon tank. That’ll end up costing me $1500 and I would rather not spend that much on rock.

here’s another tank that I really like

if you have any suggestions or better pictures on what to do here I would appreciate it.

 

[AdamB]

Nice! That type of shelf rock looks great ! I used some of it with cheaper Marco rock and it looks great.!

 

[Pete Hammersley]

I would buy the dry rock you monitored, take a hammer, a few different sizes chisels, some acrylic rods, super glue gel, epoxy resin and get creative. Don’t fixate yourself on emulating something that you’ve seen and like, just be open minded and see how the aquascaoe develops.
A good tip is to do it on a workbench with a piece of cardboard cut out to your rank size for reference, then place it all in the tank at the end.

 

[Jvesche20]

I would buy the dry rock you monitored, take a hammer, a few different sizes chisels, some acrylic rods, super glue gel, epoxy resin and get creative. Don’t fixate yourself on emulating something that you’ve seen and like, just be open minded and see how the aquascaoe develops.
A good tip is to do it on a workbench with a piece of cardboard cut out to your rank size for reference, then place it all in the tank at the end.

Awesome I’ll go pick up the rock

 

[Jvesche20]

Nice! That type of shelf rock looks great ! I used some of it with cheaper Marco rock and it looks great.!

Shelf rock awesome I’ll have to get some

 

[faviasteve]

I have a few more pieces of advice. If you're drilling holes to put rods through, don't drill the hole in the exact center of the rock. It's better to drill off center. Then you can rotate each piece to make it stick out in the desired direction for shelves and overhangs. The bottom center rock of a tree-like structure needs to be large and heavy enough to anchor the other rocks above it and to the side (for overhangs). That big and heavy rock also needs to have a relatively flat bottom or many points of contact so the whole structure doesn't topple over.

 

[Jvesche20]

I have a few more pieces of advice. If you're drilling holes to put rods through, don't drill the hole in the exact center of the rock. It's better to drill off center. Then you can rotate each piece to make it stick out in the desired direction for shelves and overhangs. The bottom center rock of a tree-like structure needs to be large and heavy enough to anchor the other rocks above it and to the side (for overhangs). That big and heavy rock also needs to have a relatively flat bottom or many points of contact so the whole structure doesn't topple over.

Will the marco rock be sufficient enough to support the entire structure? Or should I go with something denser? I havent seen the rock the guy is selling yet but he said there's large pieces that are 40lbs each so I think this would work good and I think I might saw the rock to make it perfectly flat

 

[faviasteve]

A 40 pound piece is heavy enough for the base IMO. For a smaller base, you can use a concrete paver and glue the rod into a drilled hole in it with epoxy. The paver obviously needs to be buried by sand or rock rubble. A large piece of marco rock is easier. I wouldn't build the "towers" taller than 20" in a 30" tall tank. You need space for coral growth at the top. I also would make each tower a different shape and different heights. You don't want 3 equal height, evenly spaced rock pillars. A natural coral bommie is the best inspiration for a natural yet unique shape.

 

[Jvesche20]

A 40 pound piece is heavy enough for the base IMO. For a smaller base, you can use a concrete paver and glue the rod into a drilled hole in it with epoxy. The paver obviously needs to be buried by sand or rock rubble. A large piece of marco rock is easier. I wouldn't build the "towers" taller than 20" in a 30" tall tank. You need space for coral growth at the top. I also would make each tower a different shape and different heights. You don't want 3 equal height, evenly spaced rock pillars. A natural coral bommie is the best inspiration for a natural yet unique shape.

Here’s what I got. Do you think the 2 big pieces (46lbs) each will be large enough to make the bottom? I have a total of 275 lbs of this stuff for $150 can’t beat that

 

[Jvesche20]

I would buy the dry rock you monitored, take a hammer, a few different sizes chisels, some acrylic rods, super glue gel, epoxy resin and get creative. Don’t fixate yourself on emulating something that you’ve seen and like, just be open minded and see how the aquascaoe develops.
A good tip is to do it on a workbench with a piece of cardboard cut out to your rank size for reference, then place it all in the tank at the end.

How thick should I get these rods? I don’t see any on the homedepot website. Would rather get them locally. Would I drill the rock to be able to insert the rods?

 

[Pete Hammersley]

How thick should I get these rods? I don’t see any on the homedepot website. Would rather get them locally. Would I drill the rock to be able to insert the rods?

Around 6mm is ok, maybe 8mm if you have a lot of rock of rock or doing big overhangs.
Yes just a standard masonry drill is fine. Be sure to post your pics once you’ve done it.

 

[Jvesche20]

Around 6mm is ok, maybe 8mm if you have a lot of rock of rock or doing big overhangs.
Yes just a standard masonry drill is fine. Be sure to post your pics once you’ve done it.

Where’s the best place to buy these things? Only possible to get these from ordering online? I like to get stuff from the store I am very Impatient

 

[Pete Hammersley]

Where’s the best place to buy these things? Only possible to get these from ordering online? I like to get stuff from the store I am very Impatient

I have no idea sorry, also I have no idea where you live. Anything a bit specialist is always so much easier with amazon prime, I get everything with next day delivery. Brilliant.

 

[Jvesche20]

I have no idea sorry, also I have no idea where you live. Anything a bit specialist is always so much easier with amazon prime, I get everything with next day delivery. Brilliant.

I still have some work to blend in the rock so it doesn’t look like it’s stacked. But here’s the first structure

 

[Pete Hammersley]

I still have some work to blend in the rock so it doesn’t look like it’s stacked. But here’s the first structure

That’s looking great, coralline algae and corals all help to blend it in over time. Definitely more interesting than just one big rock alone. Great job.

 

[Jvesche20]

That’s looking great, coralline algae and corals all help to blend it in over time. Definitely more interesting than just one big rock alone. Great job.

Thank you! I was just gonna do all the same type of rock then I looked at my current tank and realized I have different types and they all turn the same color and are covered in corals. So that’s why I added the shelf. I Have 1 more large shelf but not sure where to add it. This side one is a little more difficult than the other 2 I got.

 

[Jvesche20]

Wait forgot to post what else I did.