Is it just me, or. . .

[drew_tt]

does everyone else have trouble arranging LR?
I added 40# of cured LR to my 90 gal with 90#+ LR already. . .
I spent hours trying to arrange them, but it still looks like someone threw up multi-coloured rocks.
Sometimes, they will fit together, but they look ugly when they do
I think the rocks do it on purpose to bug me...
Oh well, just taking a break while I let my fingers un-wrinkle from the water...
Drew <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[trigahappynigerog]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

 

[ratbattey]

No, you're not alone. It drives me nuts. I like to use a few big pieces, one or two "feature" rocks and many smaller pieces to fill in some of the holes. I am often found rearranging LR for weeks after a set up until I'm happy, but I think I finally just get used to it.

 

[drew_tt]

the thing is, I did! I hand picked every piece...took most of them out of the display tank, went over each one and chose the ones I liked... oh well...
how I have it now looks very natural, but I really wanted the 'wall' appearance.
Drew

 

[squidworth]

While on the discussion and someone mentioned using limestone as a base. What are some tank safe rocks to use. I understand they will eventually become live when used with live rock, what would be the best choice for getting it to "turn live".
I do a lot of (probably a bad sport to mention here) fly-fishing in high freestone streams and could really drag home some neat looking stuff. It is a lot of different options to bring back, limestone, granit, bluestone, and many others I have no idea what they are...just wondering what would be all around safe

 

[twoods71]

Placing lr can be a frustrating part of the setup. It seems like it took me forever to get the rock the way I wanted.
Instead of filling in the holes I tried to create as many as possible so the fish can swim in and out of the rock work.

 

[shel]

The LR can be a real B. But it is so pretty when you finally get the way you like. I have a whole wall accross the tank. I have a few base pieces, and work the rest into it. My best friend helps me with it, so it is a little easier. <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[jacksonpt]

I was in the same boat for a long time... more than a year. Over the weekend, I finally got it right. I had tried different ways to arrange the rock so there were lots of caves and stuff for the fish to swim through. It always worked out ok, but never made me say, "Now that looks good." Well, I tried again this weekend... this time I just piled up the rock in the middle of the tank. Just piled it up, didn't care what rock was where, just so long as it was sturdy and stable. Looks just great (I think). I'm finally happy with the way my rockwork looks. Hopefully I'll get a pic posted tomorrow.

 

[josh]

Hi,
Yes it is frustrating as well as fun, sorta. The only thing I can add is try to do it right the first time. By this I mean have an idea of what kinda of corals or fish you want. This will help you create the platforms for instance for corals where they need to be, i.e. waterflow. Also, knowing what type of fish you want will help with making lagoons or caves for shy fish. Having said all that I have arranged my rock, well more than I would like to have.. but I just try to enjoy it. There is no rush when arranging rock.
- Josh -

 

[broomer5]

Yep - arranging live rock can be frustrating as all get out ! I know in my head how I want it to look, and just keep placing pieces in different locations.
Sometimes you luck out and find pieces that just "fit" right, stable and looks good. Other times you find an area where nothing seems to fit right.
Sort of like a putting together a puzzle - but it sure ain't like putting together Lego's.
As TRIGAHAPPYNIGERog said - beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and in this case - the one arranging the rock.
I like your aproach too jacksonpt
You should never knock serendipity

 

[daisywb]

Maybe I'm a dork for saying this, but I have a blast rearranging the LR. Whenever I do a water change I goof around with it some since I'm already messing with the tank. I'll move a few small pieces here and there. Sometimes I like the outcome, sometimes I don't. If I don't, there's always time during next weeks water change 'eh? I think my cleaner shrimp has fun cause she just hops on my hand and "cleans" the whole time (what a funky feeling that is!) LOL And when I'm all done the pygmy angelfish scoots all around scoping out any new crevices and caves.
What a fun hobby
-Daisy