Small Rocks Do Not Look Right with Large Tanks

[Aqua Pro Builder]

What do you think?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I think that may be your opinion however the person who owns the tank may think otherwise.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

:dead:

 

[drperetz]

.

Ican see what Wingo is saying. but i also think it would depend on the setup. MAy be small peices are necessary to be used in the aquascaping. but its obvious that the rock should look realistically large as the tank.:groupflip

 

[tosiek]

Wingo has a size complex me thinks. Either that or is descriminatory to the smaller rocks that have made the large tanks their homes....

What happens when a big rock breaks in two and becomes 2 small rocks? :scratchch

You can take the BQE to get from queens to downtown brooklyn or take side streets all the way down. Either way your getting to the same destination. If you use big or small, it all depends on what you like and the end result. The aquascaping is the creation of the person who's tank it is. IMO i like the way alot of smaller rocks stacked together looks but i also liked nice eccentric large show piece rocks also. Its just more of a pain getting more small rocks to stack together the way you want them to without falling down or causing you to rip out your hair in the process.

 

[drperetz]

...

now how big of a rock are we talking about 5 lb, 10, 20, 30?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

now how big of a rock are we talking about 5 lb, 10, 20, 30?

The longer side of the rock is more than 12" and large tank is something like 6' long, 30" height

 

[drperetz]

with that length I would definitly create a pvc brace that will hold the rocks and brake the rocks to basically create a "Lego Reef".

 

[jhale]

Its just more of a pain getting more small rocks to stack together the way you want them to without falling down or causing you to rip out your hair in the process.

I agree with this. I used smaller sized rocks to create my columns. it was a pain to do, but worth it in the end. it's much easier to aquascape with larger rocks, you need a good eye to keep small rocks from looking like a pile of rocks in a large tank. In general I prefer using larger rocks, it looks more natural to me in a larger tank.

 

[jhale]

if you need large rocks check out this business http://www.marcorocks.com/

they have the best rocks I've seen yet. plus they will work with you to design what you want in the tank.

he's got the tonga shelf you are looking for, check it out.
http://www.marcorocks.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TongaShelf

 

[masterswimmer]

Perspective is a funny thing. If you were to view the full length of a 6' tank 'scaped with all large pieces, it could appear as shrinking the size of the tank. Don't get me wrong, it could look great and show itself as a massive structure.

Conversely, if you were to use primarily smaller pieces and view the same tank in sections, the aquascaping can be done to recreate a few different biotopes. 'Scaping in this fashion can actually give the viewer the perspective that the tank is much larger, due to the variations that can be incorporated into the changing 'scenery'.

Both setups can look great and both can look awful. Just because someone uses primarily one type of rock does not ensure they'll have an aesthetically pleasing reef.

swimmer

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

My next tank is going to be a 120 filled with LR rubble.

 

[LeslieS]

My next tank is going to be a 120 filled with LR rubble.

I'm going to do a 120 filled to the top and edges with rock...just rock...nothing but rock...

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Perspective is a funny thing. If you were to view the full length of a 6' tank 'scaped with all large pieces, it could appear as shrinking the size of the tank. Don't get me wrong, it could look great and show itself as a massive structure.

Conversely, if you were to use primarily smaller pieces and view the same tank in sections, the aquascaping can be done to recreate a few different biotopes. 'Scaping in this fashion can actually give the viewer the perspective that the tank is much larger, due to the variations that can be incorporated into the changing 'scenery'.

Both setups can look great and both can look awful. Just because someone uses primarily one type of rock does not ensure they'll have an aesthetically pleasing reef.

swimmer

I like this view.

 

[LeslieS]

How about putting large rock formations in the front and using the small rocks to make smaller formations in the back. It will make the tank look very deep from front to back.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i'm a fan of larger rocks. i think it's easier to place corals in a tank w/ smaller rocks since there are more crevices but i think the larger rocks are more appealing

 

[Dmitry]

Size queens! :smash:

 

[cali_reef]

Small < 4-5 inches rocks don't look right in a long tank (6 foot+). You need big pieces for big tanks.

 

[reefman]

i would re-define the laws of gravity n put small rock on the bottom n large rocks on top.
i would use both types of rocks to be able to create a diverse structure of rock work in a reef. diversity is the key. listen to your profolio manager.

 

[tosiek]

This reminds me of the whole Ceiling paint Dabocle. If you go light it looks like a bigger room, dark it looks like a smaller room than it is. is light or dark better? All depends on the affect you want from the room.

I concur with masters idea. the only pro with using smaller (ish) rocks if you have freedom of the aquascape to do what you want and if done the right way looks great. Only thing it takes time to do right.


Smallish = medium sized rocks. Not golf balls in a 6 foot tank.