rock scaping

[rusty]

I have noticed on some photo's that the rockwork comes right down to the front glass completely covering the sand bed. and looks realy great. I am thinking of doing the same. is there a down side to this ???, I am thinking about detrious settling between cracks.advice most gratefuly accepted.

 

[Unarce]

My largest LR piece is about a 1/2" from the front glass and makes it a PITA to scrape off coralline. I don't want to chisel it down since my crocea clam is burrowed in it. The only algae magnet that's thin enough to get in between is the Twister.

 

[rusty]

Thanks.
But do you get much trouble with detrius. and what clean up crew do you use?

 

[Unarce]

I'm kind of in the minority when it comes to detritus and SPS tanks. I don't mind it so much since I have a very shallow sand bed and low fishload. My routine is just a monthly 10% water change, pulling water from the bottom of the sump compartments. I do a bi-weekly hurricane effect with a turkey baster. I never skim (isn't for everyone). Waste removal is primarily done with WC, chaetomorpha, and clams.

My cleanup crew consists of cucumbers, scarlet and blue-legged hermits, peppermint shrimp, emerald crab, astrea snails (in main display), turbo snails (in the sump).