Rock Placement?

[kmasonbx]

Hi guys, I've just added some rock to my aquarium, and was wondering if I need to do some redesigning. I kind've have it in the middle of the tank with space behind and in front of the rock but I'm thinking I should have the rock pressed against the back wall so it can be a hiding place with only 1 entry point for the fish who need hiding spaces. Is this correct or is it fine having 2 entry points in the crevices?

 

[HappyGeorge]

Greetings

I would always think it better to have space all round to clean in a marine tank, just also want to check that you are talking about a marine tank and not a tropical?

Obviously not sure on your tank size, amount of rock or type of fish but I would consider it better to have tunnels than caves otherwise dominant fish control the rock work. Certainly in the world of Malawis the idea is to have lots and lots of tunnels or caves (more than you have fish) but then all of the mbuna cichlids want to hide away. In marine fish the different species have very different requirements and you could have a mix of fish that don't venture into rockwork much at all.

Hope this helps a bit...........maybe

 

[kmasonbx]

Thanks. It's a marine tank, 55 gallon. I'm really just getting started although I've had fish in the tank for about 6 months I was doing things badly when I first started so I've just now put my rock in and got a skimmer going. Right now I just have 1 Yellowtail Blue Damsel in there and I have 2 False Percula's in my quarantine tank that I will be adding in a couple of weeks. I had other fish but I removed them because they were way too aggresive (2 different species of damsel).

 

[HappyGeorge]

Okay cool. What were you using for filtration? Do you have a load of rock already in there? You will need to watch what you add if you are adding rock. Unless you are getting rock direct from an established tank I wouldn't plan on putting any fish in until I was sure the rock wasn't going to die off. Even if it is fully cured Live Rock from a shop it is likely to have an effect on your nitrate levels. What are your levels at the moment?

 

[kj23502]

I'd personally keep it off the glass. Try to arrange it so you have tunnels, nooks, and crannies in the middle of your tank(bit harder with a narrow tank). It gives you access to the back of your tank for up-righting fallen snails/dead fish, cleaning, and better flow to move debris.

 

[seffieuk]

to TFF and the salty side

Any chance of you starting a journel?

Seffie x