Live Rockscaping

[neddis]

I read somewhere that when setting up your live rock, you don't want to let it touch the sides of the aquarium. Why is this? In my freshwater tanks I stack rock against the glass quite often.

Also - I got some feather dusters on the rock I bought. Do I need to feed them or anything? There is nothing else in the tank yet except the rock (with the dusters on it) and equipment.

 

[Jennie]

When 'aquascaping', you want the rocks not to touch the glass so that the water can 'flow' around them. Doing this helps prevent dead zones where no flow can reach that build up occurs and can later cause problems for you.

As for the feather duster, it should be fine since they are filter feeders and pull nutrients out of the water column.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

It is also a good idea to leave yourself some room to clean your glass. If your rock crowds the glass, you won't be able to get your magnet cleaner or scraper in certain areas and these will become eyesores over time. Rockwork and sandbeds settle and shift, so if you start out with minimal clearance between your rock and glass, you may find rock up against the glass over time. Just leave plenty of room to begin with.
:drink: