Our 45g tank

[Hart62]

Some pics of our tank. Not happy with the rock. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[Beengirl]

Looks nice. But if you don't like the rock work, you could try doing two stacks of rock with an open area in the middle.

 

[Hart62]

Thanks. It's not that I don't like the rock, I just wish I could get some smaller pieces so I could make more caves and bridges. Really wanted something more than just stacked rocks. Guess I haven't got the hang of the aquascaping yet.

 

[Beengirl]

You don't need smaller pieces to make caves and bridges, you can do that by just turning the rocks you already have in different ways. Try standing some up instead of having them lay down, then do that with several rocks and go from there. It's all just playing with the rocks some. Have fun!

 

[Timebandit]

Why don't you get a chisel and hammer and go to town on a couple of the big pieces to make smaller pieces. I don't have much rock yet but one the pieces I had was just a huge block so I broke it up.

 

[Mrc8858]

Just did this in my tank a couple hours ago to give you an idea of your possibilities. Its 2 solid structures made of 7 pieces. I've found the best way to do it is buy dry/lace rock (be very particular of what you buy with an idea in mind) and build a rock structure with putty, glue, or acrylic/fiberglass rods/pegs.

 

[Cichlid-dude]

Just did this in my tank a couple hours ago to give you an idea of your possibilities. Its 2 solid structures made of 7 pieces. I've found the best way to do it is buy dry/lace rock (be very particular of what you buy with an idea in mind) and build a rock structure with putty, glue, or acrylic/fiberglass rods/pegs.

Thats pretty cool looking!

 

[Hart62]

That looks great but I already have rock in the aquarium. How do you glue it together once it's already wet and I have both live and dry rock?

 

[Hart62]

Why don't you get a chisel and hammer and go to town on a couple of the big pieces to make smaller pieces. I don't have much rock yet but one the pieces I had was just a huge block so I broke it up.

It doesn't hurt the live rock to chisel it apart like that?

 

[Hart62]

You don't need smaller pieces to make caves and bridges, you can do that by just turning the rocks you already have in different ways. Try standing some up instead of having them lay down, then do that with several rocks and go from there. It's all just playing with the rocks some. Have fun!

Thanks. I'll have another go or three at it. I still need to add some live rock to have the recommended amount in there. With all the rock they want per gallon you almost don't have room for water for the fish to swim in. Lol

 

[Timebandit]

I took the pieces that I was going to break up and kept them in 5 gal bucket with water. Then I would take it out break it up and put it back in the bucket. The rock is not as hard as you think and breaks up pretty easily. The rock didn't suffer any die off or anything like that. I know some people use aquarium epoxy to glue their rocks together but I move my stuff around too much to do that.

 

[Mrc8858]

That looks great but I already have rock in the aquarium. How do you glue it together once it's already wet and I have both live and dry rock?

J-b weld putty works great. I doesn't really "stick" like glue it will mold into the crevices and hardens like a rock making for a very strong bond and can be done on live or dry rock. Most reef rock is very soft to so you can actual use hand saws to get the shape you want with a fine tooth blade if you want a lil more precision but with a little work most can be accomplished with a hammer, flathead screw driver, and a lil practice. Just try and follow the "grain" you could say in the rock.