How do i set up live rock?

[kcobain111]

when setting up my live rock do i want it to be touching any glass at all?
I plan on making all sorts of holes and caves if possible for the fish to swim through but don't know how to really do it yet
Is it best to place all the rock in the middle of the tank with open water surrounding it?
OR is it all just preference?

 

[tripleup05]

I'm pretty new to this too, but as far as I can tell, it is all preferance. Ofcourse you dont want to pack the tank full and leave no open water for your fish to swim, but otherwise it is up to you. Caves and holes and such are great for the fish to hide in and the like. As far as it touching the glass, I'm not sure about that. I set mine up so it doesnt to make sure I can clean algae off easily as needed, but i've seen lots of pics with rock touchin teh glass.

 

[joker_ca]

what worked for me is putting the smaller pieces on the bottom and the larger peices on top, but you just have to keep playing with it unitl you get want you want it took me awhile until i liked how my rock looked like, and try not to go with the brick wall affect try to make caves and holes through out the tank and IMO it doesnt matter if the rocks touch the glass

 

[arkey.d]

I like mine with all the rock in the middle of the tank with open water surrounding it. Both my tanks are set up that way....

 

[tizzo]

I put the larger pieces on the bottum and smaller ones up top, with the littlest of all to fill in the empty spots. I didn't intend on making caves, but I have plenty. You really don't need to "try" to make caves if you have enough LR, they will just happen. Those big holes that people leave in the display is not really what I would consider a cave but more of an appearance preference. You can put the rocks anywhere any way you want and your fishes will find places to call home.

 

[loopy]

I think it's probably personal preference. Just make sure that the rocks away from the glass can't fall and crack the glass. I don't put mine against the glass for cleaning purposes. Also, I started from the middle and worked out to the sides like arkey.d. It sort of creates a 'visual balance' to the tank. Just play with it and see what you like!

 

[maeistero]

i use the back glass as a prop, my cleaner crew tends to keep it mostly clean. as far as stacking, i like the worse looking rock on the bottom and work up from there, not necessarily a small/large choice. holes & caves tend to come easily as you start stacking, i personally am not a fan of the middle stacking as it tends to look tacky to me, i enjoy less in the middle and watching my fish dart back and forth from side to side. :happy:

 

[vito525]

I went with the same effect. I've got some rock on the left and some on the right with a space in the middle...I went through about 5 diiferent configurations before I found one I was happy with.