FF, I've had Saltwater tanks for about 20 years but recently ventured into a true reef tank. FYI, what I did was order smaller cured live rock initially about 6-8" pieces. I figured this was the rock that would shape my reef as they are the most easily moved and fit together better. I then order some large "show pieces which would give the form of the reef. Believe me, creating a form you will like is about the hardest thing to do.
Currently, I have about 2/3 of the reef finished. I placed 2 large LR pieces at a 45 degree angle from the front right of the tank, then built along the backside of the tank with the smaller pieces building in swim areas for the few fish I have. They seem to love it. I've used longer coral to extend from the sand to the rock to give an "arch" effect. I have 4 large (12x14") pieces still curing and will finish the reef off in about 3 weeks. The last thing I want to do is get some thin flat pieces of LR to insert into some of the holes I have to form ledges to place smaller corals.
In any case, it takes a long time until you get it how you want it. It's a sculpture in progress.
Two hints....use some inexpensive baserock (not LR) to form your basic stucture. Second, once you have your reef the way you like it, you can glue most of the corals where they look the best. Believe me, snails, crabs and the rest of the cleaner crew will knock them down. You can use Super Gel Glue or a putty from the LFS which hardens over time.
Hope this helps.
