How do I construct (stack) my reef ?

[bevo77]

My tank is nearing the end of cycling and I have been curing 125 lbs of lr in another tank. It consists of Fiji, Tonga, and some slab/table rock.
My questions are:
1) How do you arrange the rocks ? Towards the front or back. Do you build it high in the center, or straight across? What goes on top and what goes on bottom?
2) How do you make it stay the way you arrange it ? Do you use wire, glue, etc.
3) Do I need to make hiding places, calm areas, etc ? Suggestions ?
4) Just like everything else I have learned about this hobby so far, it is easier to do it right the first time. It is a hassle to "redo" anything involving an aquarium. Please add any advise so I can gain from your "reef construction" experience.
Thanks as always,
Bevo77
Tank is 75 gal show. 48" in long. w DSB.

 

[kev]

You could arrange it anyway you want to, but most people set up their LR so that it covers the back wall of the tank

 

[fshhub]

1 however you want, just make it stable, other wise, yo uwill find a design that you like
2 no wire(no metals at all!), many use epoxy,and others use pvc,and alot don't use anything, but make sure it is stable
3 i would reccomend hiding places, and if you mean calm areas, like no circulation, i would not
4 try to concieve a picure of how you want it to look, then build upon that, and you will more than likily do it several times, until you have something completely stable that you like
there is alot of dbate on how, mine is in the middle of the tank, and as it goes up,the top pieces are against the back glass, i like it that way, and others dont', it is a matter of preference, i have mine like that with one poweerhead blowing through to keep it garbage free

 

[bevo77]

Thanks fshhub.
What kind of epoxy does not have toxic substances in it ? Can you recommend one?
Another question. If I have my sandbed all set, do I bury the rock to the bottom, or do I set the rock on top of the sand. If I set it on top, will critters dig under the reef and cause a cave in ?
Thanks again,
Bevo77

 

[fshhub]

there is a can of worms, waiting to happen, lol, big debaate on the stacking, there are many varied opinions there, all justifiable, but me i like it in the sand, i in fact built our lr and then laid the sand around it, b/c it could cause a topple, IF you have burrowers
as for the epoxy, i cannot remeber who makes it, bu tmy lfs carried it,and some online vendors i am sure would, just ask them

 

[volitan]

I would buy some tufa rock (or some other kind of reef-safe "dead" rock) and use it for your rock wall foundation. It needs to be sitting on the glass because your sand will most likely shift. Even if it doesn't shift I'd rather be safe than sorry. A cave in could be pretty devastating. I wouldn't use lr for the foundation because it will be hidden under the ls, and the coralline algae on it will be killed by the dark, no water flow conditions anyway. Plus tufa rock is very cheap. HTH

 

[predator]

I'm with fshub. I have my rock on the bottom glass as well.Makes for a sturdier base. But many people have stability the other way.<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/flmeangl44/index.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO SEE MY REEF.</a>

 

[bevo77]

Thanks to all for the help. I still need a suggestion on a glue or tank safe epoxy. If anyone knows of a good way to "weld" a reef together, please let me know.
I am going to spend most of the day tomorrow biulding my reef. I think I will have a hard time sleeping tonight.
Thanks,
Bevo77

 

[k.lee]

Just some obseratiions I've accepted through reading, and other:
1. Idf your going to use sand, put the rock in firstr.
2. Keep the area behind th3e rock cler if you can, ie. a water channel. Fish love iot, and you can even put a power heaqcd or two back there for flow if your temps don't go crazy.
3. Keep the areas touching glass or other rocks minimal (within reason: stability is important, but large areas whe5e rocks touch are bad too). Safety is a priori.

HTH
Lee