How to Stack Live Rock in a Saltwater Tank

Live rock in a saltwater fish tank is very important. It provides your tank with good water quality, creatures to keep the tank environment healthy and hiding places and housing for your fish. The live rock must be stacked in a certain way to optimize your tank space. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Live rock

1. Raise the live rock off the bottom of the tank with substrate. This can be sand, shells, or some other combination base.

2. Stack the live rock away from the walls of your tank. It will allow for better water circulation and enable your fish to swim where they please.

3. Stack the rock loosely. Try to use the same kind of rock throughout your entire tank to make stacking easier.

4. Arrange the rock with holes and crannies anywhere you can. If you have flat pieces, stack them across two other rocks to provide places for your crabs and snails to move.

5. Check the rocks as you add them to make sure they don't move too easily. If they do you will have to find another spot to place the rocks so they don't topple on your fish or the other creatures in your tank.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't want the rock on the bottom of the tank. This will cause dead spots on the rock. The substrate will allow sand-sifting creatures to do their job and keep your sand and rock alive.
• Shelf rock is the easiest to actually stack. This is because of it's U-shaped design. It also provides lots of caves and hiding places for your fish.

Resources

• Where to Buy Live Rock