Reconfiguring my Live Rock...

[Snid]

Ok, so my tank is 3 months old now, doing well, and I have 3 fish (2 Clowns/1 Chalk Bass) and a modest CUC of various species, including a Sea Urchin. I have a few Zoas not yet attached anywhere really (a little early, I know, but they were given to me for free). I have been thinking about rearranging all my Live Rock. It's not bad as it is, but I think it could be better. Would this be okay to do at this point, or should I leave well enough alone? I realize that I'll probably stir up some silicates and have a slight Diatom outbreak, but other than that would I be doing harm?

 

[Choff]

I did it several times at varying degrees of destruction. I did a full change early on and again recently and had zero ill effects. The only thing I did was a few days prior I took a powerhead to my rocks and lightly vacuumed my sand and then did a 10 pct WC. Waited a few days and then redid the scape and followed it again with a 10 pct WC.

Results may vary

...stupid auto correct

 

[goma]

I think we've all been down this road and I agree with Mike's plan. I must have rearranged mine 10 times in the first year without any issues.

 

[Creekview]

I move stuff all the time. As long as it's stable.......

 

[Snid]

Thanks guys! Well... I think that in about 2-3 weeks I'll find some time to rearrange things a bit. Maybe I'll look into my next fish addition soon too so that he can be moved from the QT to the DT on the day I rearrange everything. Will see... Money is tight.

 

[Coraljunkie]

Take before and after pics

 

[Snid]

Will Do. That way when I show the after and everyone says they like the before pics better I can pout and figure out how to put everything back... Ha Ha hah.. heh.. he... uh...oooohh.... Doh!

 

[Andy]

good luck with the stress you are going to have getting ur scape right. I re-did mine last week and all im going to say was that me and the misses where not best of friends for a couple of days after......she failed miserably as a helper!

 

[Snid]

Before...

After...

 

[DianaKay]

I like BOTH the before & the after! :snshne:
I think you are a Captain with nerves of steel to re-do your rock scape.
Once was more than I wanted to do mine

 

[Aquadude]

I like the after

 

[Pat24601]

I agree with Diana. I like the before and the after, but I wouldn't try it at home. There are things about mine I'm not happy about now that I understand placement better, but once was enough for me.

 

[Creekview]

I like the after as well. It looks like it's mostly what I call base rock. If it were my tank, I'd add some dry rock from someone like marcorocks. It's very light, full of holes, and very porous. You'll get a much higher beneficial bacteria population with that kind of rock. It also gives 'pods and other critters lots of hiding places. Here's a chunk that has been in my tank about a year, fully encrusted with coralline. Comes in bone white, as it is ancient coral reefs they mine in Florida.