Aquascape to Optimize SPS Corals

layer3switchguy · 11/06/2009, 09:18 PM

Folks,

I'm in the process of a full rebuild on my 120g reef, and would appreciate some input on ideals to optimize my rockwork for SPS corals. My tank is 48x24x24. I've been collecting pics to get some ideas on how to aquascape to maximize coral placement, and figured I'd post here for some ideas.

Would love to get advice, pics, etc...

Thanks!
L3

Stanley-Reefer · 11/07/2009, 08:13 AM

I would recommend a few "islands" of cone shaped rocks. You can epoxy sps from top to bottom and all around. the right corals scatterred around would be unreal and allow lots of flow/swimming room aroudn them.

ryshark · 11/07/2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley-Reefer

I would recommend a few "islands" of cone shaped rocks. You can epoxy sps from top to bottom and all around. the right corals scatterred around would be unreal and allow lots of flow/swimming room aroudn them.

I agree with this Plus don't put too many rocks and avoid the rock wall

skiformance · 11/07/2009, 08:21 AM

here is my first attempt at aquascaping a 80 bow front. i'm going to move the 2 pillars to the new 120. i made a cardboard template of the tank and covered that with a clear shower curtain. that allowed me to work without the confines of the tank

layer3switchguy · 11/07/2009, 10:55 AM

Thanks guys!

Skiformance - Nice work, very cool!

jhildebrand · 11/07/2009, 11:14 AM

Just tore down the rock wall and drilled rocks for an arch and pillars. I used square carbon fiber rods from a hobby store and epoxy to connect them permanently. Tank is 34" high. Since I have large fish, I wanted to not only maximize growth space for SPS, but swimming space as well. The rock is all in the middle so there is a ton of space on both sides. The arch will soon be covered in SPS frags currently in the basement tank.

My current project is constructing a suspended island(s) for the void in the center. When I figure out the logistics, it will go here:

pisces4u · 11/07/2009, 11:53 AM

Less is more for SPS...

Don't stack too high as they will grow up as they fill in.

Allow for maximum flow by not stacking rock against glass on any side.

Use large pieces for foundation as opposed to groups of smaller rocks that will create more dead spots.

Avoid placing rock in a line. Make islands closer to the back and some closer to the front to maintain your dimension and perspective.

Here's a front/back of my mostly SPS 50g.

sfsuphysics · 11/07/2009, 12:40 PM

Also a recommendation is to leave a LOT of room between frags, unless you're planing on heavy pruning down the road. It's very tempting to put 1" twigs 3-4 inches apart, however realize that's only 1.5-2" of growth they need to touch.

Also know your corals... montipora "cap" type corals... they grow big whether you want to or not, they will shade corals, they will grow up and around corals, so it'd toss them as low as possible in the tank if you're keen on keeping them.

FishTruck · 11/07/2009, 03:25 PM

Dont pile your rocks too high. Leave room for the corals to grow upwards.

tegee · 11/07/2009, 03:56 PM

The most successful tanks (and most TOTM winners and such) have very little rock work. I couple that I have seen recently simply have two island. And definitely do not stack the rock along the back wall too. It is far too tempting IMHO to use lots of rock. But if you have a lot of SPS growth the corals will make you tank look full instead of the rock work, etc. I am in the process of a new 180-gl. build and I am planning on cutting my rock by 50%.

This is one of the best examples of rock work that I have seen and I will incorporate it in my new build. This tank is awesome: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/totm/index.php

ryshark · 11/07/2009, 04:06 PM

I agree, that is my favorite tank. I already set my aquascaping up with 2-islands before I ever saw ReefBums tank...but after seeing his tank last March for totm, I was even happier with my rock setup as I remember him saying that his old tank basically crashed because of having too much rock packed in.

11/06/2009, 09:18 PM	#1
layer3switchguy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 632	Aquascape to Optimize SPS Corals Folks, I'm in the process of a full rebuild on my 120g reef, and would appreciate some input on ideals to optimize my rockwork for SPS corals. My tank is 48x24x24. I've been collecting pics to get some ideas on how to aquascape to maximize coral placement, and figured I'd post here for some ideas. Would love to get advice, pics, etc... Thanks! L3 __________________ 120g Oceanic Tech (48x24x24) 90lbs of Live Rock ATB Small Cone ATI 8 Bulb Powermodule (T5) 2 Tunze 6055's 1 Vortech MP40W Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech

11/07/2009, 08:21 AM	#4
skiformance Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: chandler Posts: 742	here is my first attempt at aquascaping a 80 bow front. i'm going to move the 2 pillars to the new 120. i made a cardboard template of the tank and covered that with a clear shower curtain. that allowed me to work without the confines of the tank __________________ 2010 comas equipment chairman Spendin money that I don't have to buy parts that I don't need to impress people that I don't know.. Current Tank Info: 175 bowfront, duelling 120's, 80 bowfront, 55 fresh Last edited by skiformance; 11/07/2009 at 08:41 AM.

11/07/2009, 10:55 AM	#5
layer3switchguy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 632	Thanks guys! Skiformance - Nice work, very cool! __________________ 120g Oceanic Tech (48x24x24) 90lbs of Live Rock ATB Small Cone ATI 8 Bulb Powermodule (T5) 2 Tunze 6055's 1 Vortech MP40W Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech

11/07/2009, 11:14 AM	#6
jhildebrand Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Green Bay Posts: 739	Just tore down the rock wall and drilled rocks for an arch and pillars. I used square carbon fiber rods from a hobby store and epoxy to connect them permanently. Tank is 34" high. Since I have large fish, I wanted to not only maximize growth space for SPS, but swimming space as well. The rock is all in the middle so there is a ton of space on both sides. The arch will soon be covered in SPS frags currently in the basement tank. My current project is constructing a suspended island(s) for the void in the center. When I figure out the logistics, it will go here: __________________ Anything worth doing is certainly worth overdoing :) Current Tank Info: 880 gallon total system volume - 260g mixed reef - Fish room: 270g fiberglass grow out tank, 150g sump, 150g 'fuge, remote DSB frag tub + 14g nano

11/07/2009, 12:40 PM	#8
sfsuphysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,307	Also a recommendation is to leave a LOT of room between frags, unless you're planing on heavy pruning down the road. It's very tempting to put 1" twigs 3-4 inches apart, however realize that's only 1.5-2" of growth they need to touch. Also know your corals... montipora "cap" type corals... they grow big whether you want to or not, they will shade corals, they will grow up and around corals, so it'd toss them as low as possible in the tank if you're keen on keeping them. __________________ Mike

11/07/2009, 08:13 AM	#2
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,006	I would recommend a few "islands" of cone shaped rocks. You can epoxy sps from top to bottom and all around. the right corals scatterred around would be unreal and allow lots of flow/swimming room aroudn them.

11/07/2009, 11:53 AM	#7
pisces4u Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: rochester, NY Posts: 291	Less is more for SPS... Don't stack too high as they will grow up as they fill in. Allow for maximum flow by not stacking rock against glass on any side. Use large pieces for foundation as opposed to groups of smaller rocks that will create more dead spots. Avoid placing rock in a line. Make islands closer to the back and some closer to the front to maintain your dimension and perspective. Here's a front/back of my mostly SPS 50g.

11/07/2009, 03:25 PM	#9
FishTruck Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 660	Dont pile your rocks too high. Leave room for the corals to grow upwards. __________________ Department of Redundancy Department. Current Tank Info: 300 gal tenecor acrylic mixed reef, reeflo orca 250 skimmer, neptune AC2 and 3, sfiligoi twin 400 w x 2, reeflux 12k's, coralvue ballasts x 4

11/07/2009, 03:56 PM	#10
tegee Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 272	The most successful tanks (and most TOTM winners and such) have very little rock work. I couple that I have seen recently simply have two island. And definitely do not stack the rock along the back wall too. It is far too tempting IMHO to use lots of rock. But if you have a lot of SPS growth the corals will make you tank look full instead of the rock work, etc. I am in the process of a new 180-gl. build and I am planning on cutting my rock by 50%. This is one of the best examples of rock work that I have seen and I will incorporate it in my new build. This tank is awesome: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/totm/index.php

11/07/2009, 04:06 PM	#11
ryshark Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 789	I agree, that is my favorite tank. I already set my aquascaping up with 2-islands before I ever saw ReefBums tank...but after seeing his tank last March for totm, I was even happier with my rock setup as I remember him saying that his old tank basically crashed because of having too much rock packed in.