Sticks and stones: Have you ever used branching rock?

[Peace River]

Sticks and stones: Have you ever used branching rock?

There is a different shapes and sizes of reef rock that we use in our reef tanks and many of us have our preferences. From porous bolster-shapes to ledges and rocks that looks like branches, there are many options to use and even mix and match. Have you ever used branching rock? It can create a striking aquascape and it can have more physical space to attach corals, however it can be more challenging to attach the coral because of the significant amount of vertical space. Do you prefer branching rock? How do you use it in your aquascape? How do you connect coral to it and how do you connect it to other rocks in your aquascape? Please tell us about your experience with branching rock.

Photo by @lacrosseboss18

 

[o2manyfish]

I have not used it exclusively in my personal tanks. But Branch rock is probably 15-20% of the aquascape in my tank. I use it for arms coming out of the rock work to break up the typical pile of rock look. I have some big branches that are the size of my forearm.

I also have a really large piece of branch that I call the "Pillar", It's a piece of branch that is about 7" around can stand on it's own on the bottom of the tank and is just over 24" tall. Its a nice tall slender shape that breaks up the two aquascape structure on either side of the tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have in the past and now to find any- So expensive

 

[fodsod]

I have not used it exclusively in my personal tanks. But Branch rock is probably 15-20% of the aquascape in my tank. I use it for arms coming out of the rock work to break up the typical pile of rock look. I have some big branches that are the size of my forearm.

I also have a really large piece of branch that I call the "Pillar", It's a piece of branch that is about 7" around can stand on it's own on the bottom of the tank and is just over 24" tall. Its a nice tall slender shape that breaks up the two aquascape structure on either side of the tank.

Awesome tank!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I have not, I'm a limited budget Reefer and have to watch every dollar

 

[Troylee]

Not my cup of tea.. reminds me of a planted tank lol..

 

[Hhaynie]

I have them in my tank, they add some leading lines that give some interest. anyone who wants to use them should look at the way freshwater aquascapers use driftwood for reference.

 

[afrokobe]

they are a little bit pricey for me to use. I rather smash up some marco rock and glue some structures together. When done well, branch only aquascape look amazing, but lot of the times I feel like there is too much going on.

 

[Hhaynie]

they are a little bit pricey for me to use. I rather smash up some marco rock and glue some structures together. When done well, branch only aquascape look amazing, but lot of the times I feel like there is too much going on.

some people treat them like sps frags .

 

[shakacuz]

last reefapalooza i bought some nice rock from real reef with hopes to use it in my 75. might break off a few branches to put in my 40B for more sps room

 

[Tigahboy]

I used about 8 lbs of Australia branching rock (from @uniquecorals) as a centerpiece for my 70g macoalgae tank. The rest of the scape was dry rock (Caribsea Moani).

 

[bakbay]

I’ve started with a few branching rocks but have since added more. I’ve found that branching rocks provide better flow for SPS - “sticks for sticks”, perhaps?

 

[dhnguyen]

Not all branching rocks but some.

 

[BYU]

my sps miracles reboot
mostly real and artificial branch rocks
the problem is finding branch rock now

 

[Dburr1014]

I have a couple pieces

 

[zoomonster]

I said yes but only have a couple pieces. Getting some fresh Aussie in a few weeks (not from Unique) where I asked for little to no branch, but I'll see. IMO branch rock is just too much hassle to stack/scape vs. shelf/more round and fewer places to mount stuff other than sticks. I think the best tank I ever saw with branching was that big tank WWC build with all branch in the old farm. I forget what it was but huge pieces as thick as an arm they had been saving for years. The old Tonga branch was pretty nice to but never bought any.

 

[NkSde]

I have one chunk in my tank I found at my favorite pet store for a decent price

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

If we’re being technical, I’ve used dead branching coral before (and other types of dead coral for that matter.) It provides an organic texture. I especially like this fungi plate coral skeleton I have, some sort of rock pistol shrimp lives in and around it.

 

[Sump Crab]

I have always liked a piece or two in a tank for aquascaping. I have never cared for a tank with all branch rock.

 

[BlingityBling]

My most recent tank I've gone all Real Reef Rock with small base rock foundations forming caves and such that support the branches and turbinaria rocks. Made four island pieces so any one could be pulled or changed in the future. I've done the stacked rock years ago... Have a four year old tank that's all arches, and have done small 25gal lagoons with the flat stacking shelf look... The branching is a welcome change for me as it's something new, different looking, and has a ridiculous amount of mounting points for acro. The plan is chalices, cyphastreas and montis on the turbinaria rocks with mostly Acros above and maybe a goni garden somewhere at the bottom eventually. Time will tell lol.