Guidelines for Liverock Placement in a Marine Aquarium

Live rock and reef aquariums go hand in hand as you really can't have one without the other. The success of the marine aquarium has only recently become favorable with the implementation of live rock into the equation. Back in the 1980's and early 1990's live rock and sand were not commonplace as they are today nor were the benefits of incorporating live sand and rock linked to the successes portrayed today in the marine hobby. The recent successes in the marine hobby can also be attributed to more efficient and effective equipment, lighting and dedicated research regarding livestock husbandry and compatibility requirements. With the numerous advancements and timely addition of live rock, benefits can be seen, now it is time to better achieve desired results by taking the live rock scenario one step further.

In addition to the implementation of the live sand and rock into a marine aquarium biotope, their are other steps that can be applied to afford even better results out of your bacteria and other beneficial living organisms residing and affiliated with live rock.

First of all is the stacking and placement of the live rock to afford the best water flow and detritus accumulation reduction both on and in between your pieces of live rock. By creating an escaping layout that is configured other than as a simplistic wall arrangement, you will maximize the full potential from your live rock, not to mention the other benefits regarding your water quality especially. Instead of the wall scenario, the dramatic and pleasing configuration of a lagoon, island of rocks and peak formation will offer better water flow between the pieces of rock. Moreover, space is made available to enable fish more swimming room and better visibility by the hobbyist. Placement of clams, corals and other sessile invertebrates is simplified and also frees up more beneficial and limited tank space by reducing the amount of rock formed by the simplistic and not very efficient "wall" aquascape!

The nooks and crannies instituted by the formation of ledges, caves and bridges, provides the creation of a more creative and elaborate aquascape and will afford better water movement from your return hoses, power heads and wave makers, because the overstated amount of rock will not hinder the flow. As a result of this, detritus and uneaten foods will not accumulate between the rock work and allow fish and other inverts such as snails, crabs, sea stars and urchins to forage for food and do a yeoman's job of maintaining a healthy and pristine aquarium. So called "dead zones" is also minimized in the pelagic areas of your tank through more effective and efficient water movement. Oxygen transport, waste removal and optimal food dispersal are also increased by better water movement.

Taking this aquascapping scenario one step further has to do with advection and diffusion. Without getting to scientific and technical, these processes are a direct result of molecules moving from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentrations, through a transport mechanism with the fluid motion described mathematically as a vector field. The best example to explain these processes is have you ever picked up a rock or ornament that has been in your tank for awhile to vacuum the substrate or change aquascape and noticed the accumulation of detritus and other decayed matter? That is the result of advection and diffusion. Not only is this nasty looking and can cloud your aquariums water, but it also directly correlates with the presence of nitrates and phosphate buildup. So, to combat this from ensuing, their is a suitable means to an end of this problem. All that is required is some PVC pipe and wire ties or egg crate found at any hardware store. By placing a layer of either PVC or egg crate on the bottom of your tank to raise up the rock thus reducing the amount of contact by your live rock and the substrate, you are avoiding the advection and diffusion formalities and ultimately the amount of sludge and detritus that will collect under your live rock.

The incorporating of egg crate, PVC pipe, wire ties and rocks, you are not only creating a safe and secure way of adhering rock together, but you are also avoiding the possibilities of creating damage to livestock as a result of falling rock caused by burrowing fish and invertebrates, such as Urchins, hermits crabs, snails and Sea Stars especially. Corals can become injured by rocks falling on them as can the get injured by making contact with another coral that is more potent in terms of toxicity. Take it from Me, I have been and avid and conscientious marine aquarist for 20 years or more and have seen these events unfold before my vary eyes and what a way to hold your breath for a great length of time in disbelief of what has just ensued.

Take the time to do it right, safely and ultimately, your tank will be more interesting and fun, knowing these negative occurrences are minimized.