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Just curious, so I'm throwing this out there. Do many of you more experienced folks (or even inexperienced) ever completely or nearly completely just rearrange the rock/live rock in your tanks? I'm not talking just one or two rocks, but the whole look? If so, how often? and what are the down sides/up sides to it, if any.

For me, I have have enjoyed freshwater tanks for twenty years and only ventured into salt this year, but the setting up and "decorating" the tank to create the little nooks and cranie, caves and such is a big part of the enjoyment. I can see me wanting to rearrange every year or so. Would this be a bad thing in saltwater? I don't want to tear the tank down, just move everything around, restack, that sort of thing to get a fresh look, like getting a new part of a reef to view.

Thanks for your input.

Good question. I was wanting to know the same thing.

I have done this a couple times on my 180, all the rock and corals out and then rearrange. Its not a fun thing to do. For the most part its not that bad on the system, but when you disturb the sand bed you tend to release nutrients. With this nutrient release you usually will have an algae phase after rearranging your rock.

Also be careful that you place your corals (if its a reef tank) close to the same depth/distance to the lights that they were previously.....you wont take as big of a risk with bleaching this way.

I have a 75 gallon fowlr, and even here, I understand that covering or shading "live" parts of the rock that were previously exposed, can cause damage as well to the critters living in those spots.

the rock will be fine, as the coralline and other critters will repopulate the areas that were/are shaded.....no worries there.

Just watch your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels and have some water prepared to do a water change if need be.

Thanks DRO, I take it that overall, its not a bad thing as long as water quality is monitored. I still want to hear from other folks as well though, to see how common doing this is. I would imagine that any livestock that is territorial will be forced to stake new claims after the furniture is moved on them.

I rearranged my tank about 3 times before I was happy with it. Havent messed with it recently.

I have rearranged and never seen ill effects as long as you observe what has been mentioned. Also, move your lights well out of the way so you can really move around and have a towel or 2 on hand because you will get wet

Keep your eye out for a mantis or large crab because you dont want to get startled and drop a rock or bump the tank with one. Another thing to do is to watch out for small corals and/or other life that is growing because you may find some great stuff that if repositioned will be an asset to the tank as it grows.

I found a small really crappy looking coral with a hint of blue and turned the rock over hoping it would grow or recover, it did and its now the bluest most beautiful colour

Most of all, have fun and dont get frustrated!

-DL

Last edited by Dark Lotus at 28-Nov-2004 15:13

Cake > Pie

I agree with all the above. I change mine around about once a year, as the corals sometimes get to close to others that I know they will sting. I had two large pills a couple years ago, then had a rock wall, now I am back to the two large piles of rock. I like it better, as it gives me a place to put my tall gorgonian, instead of in front of everything, it is now in the middle. If it is a reef tank, you will understand what I am saying within a year or two of getting some of your corals. As some will double or triple their size in a year or so. And I too have found stuff when moving my LR around. I found a really neat looking CLEAR mushroom. Just had the slightest green tint right in the center. I had never had anything but hairy mushrooms in the tank, so I guess it come in on the LR or another coral. It is now 4 times the size, about 2 inches across. I put it in another tank, up under a ledge and out of the light. In only 6 months, it has grown, but the color is still clear, with just the slightest hint of neon green right in the center.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I have also changed my tank a few times, and is thinking of it again. The only thing that I hate is that I always manage to drop LR on a coral, or that the LR does not stand firm again, and now my purple carpet has attached it to several LR's, making it difficult to move.

OH one more thing,

Wear some gloves!!!!!!!

Unless you like being stung by that Giant Fireworm that you didn't even know you had who is hiding underneath that rock you just grabbed!

Thanks for all the input folks. I'm thinking of adding a few pieces of LR (been on the lookout for a nice long slender piece to sit against the back wall that has a lot of small ledges and things sticking out)and want to move things around a bit.

I'm glad to hear that other folks like to "rearrange" the furniture now and again.

hi I re arranged mine not long ago and got very, very wet and I prefer the way it was before I started mucking about with it!! Another possibility.