Aquascaping My 310 Planet Aquarium

TravelerBob · 07/12/2020, 01:13 PM

I plan to start aquascaping my tank in the next couple of days. I have lots of marco rocks. The tank is 8 feet long and 30” deep. I draw the outline of the tank on cardboard and started stacking the rock. I ordered foundation rocks, shelf rocks and both medium and large pieces. What do you guys think? Any feedback? I’m attaching pics of my first attempt, the tank and stand, etc. I’m just outside of St. Louis on the IL side. Thanks!!

TravelerBob · 07/12/2020, 01:14 PM

additional pics

TravelerBob · 07/12/2020, 01:19 PM

pics of the tank, the stand and the canopy. It has been sitting in the basement for a few months, but now I am ready to get started. The fish room is directly behind the wall of the tank.

TravelerBob · 07/13/2020, 09:55 AM

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Should I mortar the rocks together to prevent them from toppling over and damaging the glass? Am I using too many rocks? Do I have enough empty space? Thanks.

Michael Hoaster · 07/13/2020, 10:48 AM

All of your pics are upside down.

TravelerBob · 07/13/2020, 10:50 AM

Yes, not sure why. They are fine when I attach them. If you click on them they open correctly though. Thanks.

Michael Hoaster · 07/13/2020, 11:00 AM

No, when I click on them, they open larger, but still upside down. I'd like to help, but I can't.

Bernie21 · 07/15/2020, 07:52 PM

It's hard for me to see in picture. It looks good from the front. I would just suggest that on a top down view you have as much surface area as you wish to have for corals. The only other thing is if have the island staggered some front, some back, and different heights for each one to break up the uniform look. It may be like that, it's just hard to see in my phone.

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TravelerBob · 07/15/2020, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the reply. I’m going to try moving them into the tank this weekend and will take better pictures. Maybe that will be better in terms of getting feedback. This is my first tank and I’m trying to get it all right the first time. Appreciate the feedback.

Bernie21 · 07/15/2020, 08:51 PM

That'll be good. Just try to break it up. For me, I avoid linear. So different heights and different proximities to front and back. It looks from what I can see that you got solid islands. Just also make sure they're stable too.

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TravelerBob · 07/16/2020, 08:07 AM

Should I mortar the rocks together? I was going to stop by my local fish store tonight to get some adhesive to bond the rocks together to prevent potential slipping and hitting the glass. What do you and others think about securing the rocks? My local fish store is not a fan of securing the rocks and thinks dry stacking is better. I plan to place them on the glass first and get them all set up before adding the sand. Thanks.

Bernie21 · 07/16/2020, 08:04 PM

I'm all for dry stacking, because water is denser than air so it helps stabilize it. Buuuuut, I think you should still secure them. I'd let others chime in, as I haven't heard that you shouldn't secure them and I don't want to give incorrect info.
That stated, I'd want to have mine secured. Did they say why not?

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TravelerBob · 07/16/2020, 08:33 PM

Well, if you changed your mind and wanted to move things around. If you want to add to the rocks. If you need to move corals that are secured to a rock as they grow, it is easier to move the unsecured rock. Mainly seemed to be so you can change things around down the road.

07/13/2020, 10:48 AM	#5
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	All of your pics are upside down. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

07/13/2020, 10:50 AM	#6
TravelerBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 32	The pics Yes, not sure why. They are fine when I attach them. If you click on them they open correctly though. Thanks.

07/13/2020, 11:00 AM	#7
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	No, when I click on them, they open larger, but still upside down. I'd like to help, but I can't. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

07/15/2020, 07:52 PM	#8
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	It's hard for me to see in picture. It looks good from the front. I would just suggest that on a top down view you have as much surface area as you wish to have for corals. The only other thing is if have the island staggered some front, some back, and different heights for each one to break up the uniform look. It may be like that, it's just hard to see in my phone. Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

07/15/2020, 08:45 PM	#9
TravelerBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 32	Thank you Thanks for the reply. I’m going to try moving them into the tank this weekend and will take better pictures. Maybe that will be better in terms of getting feedback. This is my first tank and I’m trying to get it all right the first time. Appreciate the feedback.

07/13/2020, 09:55 AM	#4
TravelerBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 32	Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Should I mortar the rocks together to prevent them from toppling over and damaging the glass? Am I using too many rocks? Do I have enough empty space? Thanks.

07/15/2020, 08:51 PM	#10
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	That'll be good. Just try to break it up. For me, I avoid linear. So different heights and different proximities to front and back. It looks from what I can see that you got solid islands. Just also make sure they're stable too. Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

07/16/2020, 08:07 AM	#11
TravelerBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 32	To Glue or Not to Glue? Should I mortar the rocks together? I was going to stop by my local fish store tonight to get some adhesive to bond the rocks together to prevent potential slipping and hitting the glass. What do you and others think about securing the rocks? My local fish store is not a fan of securing the rocks and thinks dry stacking is better. I plan to place them on the glass first and get them all set up before adding the sand. Thanks.

07/16/2020, 08:04 PM	#12
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	I'm all for dry stacking, because water is denser than air so it helps stabilize it. Buuuuut, I think you should still secure them. I'd let others chime in, as I haven't heard that you shouldn't secure them and I don't want to give incorrect info. That stated, I'd want to have mine secured. Did they say why not? Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

07/16/2020, 08:33 PM	#13
TravelerBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 32	Reasons for dry stacking Well, if you changed your mind and wanted to move things around. If you want to add to the rocks. If you need to move corals that are secured to a rock as they grow, it is easier to move the unsecured rock. Mainly seemed to be so you can change things around down the road.