Minimal Live Rock

K

kel311

I have been looking for ways to arrange my live rock. In my opinion the less the better. I have seen tanks where the whole back wall is covered in it. Not saying that it doesn't look good, but it reminds me of a fruit stand...too much clutter. Sure you can add a lot of different coral, but its just not my way of doing it. If you go that route its all good. Its about what you like. I think of my aquarium as art and I'm the artist. Check out the link to this guys aquarium. This is the best tank I have ever seen!!!
Tell me your thoughts on how you like your LR placed:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ld20YtMzz4
 
I have jumped on board with the less is more approach and will be doing something totally different than what I have now, next time around. Sonny (video) has had several tanks with little LR and they all look great in my opinion. He has nice corals that usually fill in the empty spaces though, so that definitely helps the aesthetics of the LR placement. I also think it depends on the size and dimensions of the tank, as to whether or not the approach will work. The depth and height factors are what I am most concerned with. A 30" tall tank would look weird in my opinion with as little rock as Sonny has, but since his glass is a bit shorter and he has great depth, it is aesthetically very pleasing. That's not to say that you cannot make a 30" tall tank look good with pillars of some sort that keep the minimalist look and avoid the fruit stand clutter look.

Here is another good thread if you have not already seen it. There are several good and bad examples of the minimalist approach. But, in the end, it all comes down to what makes you and your eyes happy.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1658490
 
I agree his tanks are so awesome. I think its cause he gives the coral room to grow and it looks more natural. Keep me posted on what you plan to do. I love seeing things come together.

Kelly
 
The thing you have to be careful with using minimal live rock is to be able to provide adequate hiding places for your fish at night. Looking at the youtube video of the rimless tank makes me wonder where all of those hippo tangs hide at night.

I would consider my tank to be have minimal rock. I have a note to take some pictures today to show you how I have my setup.
 
I use about 1/3 of what the "rule of thumb" states. However, it is Pukani rock. It is a lot more porous than many on the market and that is important. I agree that less is better in a lot of situations but I also have to state that there is something to having hiding places for certain fish. Good luck and post some pics when you get it set up
 
I went the minimalist route on my 14g. The sps will have lots of room to grow in nicely

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I have been reading on this site how a tank with no live rock and sand is easy to maintain. They use a ceramic reef. It would be a nice future project to try out.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/4/aquarium
 
Here are some pictures of my setup. The tank is 140 gallons 48"L 24"D 29"T
I probably have 150 or so pounds of live rock. I have three piles of rock. The ones on the side are piled against the overflows.
 
I really like how you did your tank steven. Thats is very creative and inspiring. Thx for posting your input and pics. It gives people something to think about when aquascaping.
kelly
 
Your welcome,

My goal when I first set up the tank was to have 3 zones of rocks. The left zone would have ricordias, the middle zoas and polyps and the right would have mushroom polyps. For the most part this has worked well but my bubble tip anemones have dominated the left zone. I then wanted to try to fill the open spaces between the rocks with gorgonians. I have the front open for my clams to grow and fill in. I have never really liked the wall of rock look unless it was dominated by sps and since I don't do sps, I went the open route. I still have lots of hiding places for my fish and they can have lots of open room to swim. It is hard to see from the picture but the middle rock zone has a large open space in the middle that provides hiding/exploring for the fish.
 
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