Anyone Got A Centre Piece In Their Rock Setup

[jamesmacc]

hey, have been messing with my tank non stop while i waited on it cycling, got me thinking maybe im missing a centre piece. has anyone got a centre piece in there tank like a rock cave, someone sugested maybe a submarine ornamnet half burrier under the sand,might look unnatural and rubbish but just wondered if anyone on here has something abit different. heres a photo

 

[jamesmacc]

maybe a colourfull background would brighten it up? or maybe some vallis at either end if they wont eat it?

 

[Hermithall]

I'm a fan of the black theme - I think your tank looks superb as it is. My only criticism would be the green downpipe (which you could switch out to a black one easily enough), but again I love what you've done and it will look stunning with the fish added.
I actually really appreciate the continuity of your current display, but of course it's your tank and if you feel it needs a centre focus, go for it! Some of the same rockwork in the centre would look great. Ornaments are pure personal taste, and plants have to be ultra robust for cichlids - not something I would try with africans out of sheer practicality. Adding wood is a touchy issue in malawi set-ups, but I've had some skinny bits of marsh root in mine for months which haven't altered the hardness/PH to date.
Your post caught my attention because my own malawi tank display consists entirely of one centrepiece (the usual big pile of rock!) This is down to it being a corner tank and it's the only configuration I'm happy with - but an advantage (in my opinion) is that the fish will regularly go out of sight behind it and 're-emerge' which seems to hold the eye and captivate my interest more. I might just be mad! Aluminium reflectors on the tubes to angle light away from the back of the tank adds to this psychological effect. You could go down the same route in your rectangular tank by moving some of the rockwork away from the back wall, although I see you've clearly gone for optimum fish visibility with tons of space at the front (an understandable priority) - it's just something to consider.
It's all just down to the look that you personally are happy with, but that display would be glorious as it is when it's stocked, very well done indeed. When are the first fish going in and what species are you going to add?

 

[jamesmacc]

hi mate thanks very much, its comments like yours that make it all worth it. to be honest i love the tank and the only reason i keep wondering if there is something missing is because im towards the end of my cycle and i get bored just staring at an empty tank, im sure when its stocked it will totaly change. and since that photo i have added a clear pickup tube to replace the green one
thanks again for your feedback

 

[rifty]

i used lots of rock then went bigger and less to eventually for a few massive bits of rock!
one of my main tanks as a couple of bits about 2 feet across i found it looked more natural?

 

[jamesmacc]

wow mate thats a big tank. nice too although i prefer a little more rock in the tank, im going to try built it out more in the middle with some port holes for the fish to dart in and out of.
james

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I think your centerpiece will be the vast amounts of colorful fish you add. Once your cycle is done and you have fish, the tank will look a lot less dark. Once way to brighten it up would be to spring for some Yellow Labs or some fish that are lighter blue. They would look OUTSTANDING against the dark substrate and rock

 

[jamesmacc]

I think your centerpiece will be the vast amounts of colorful fish you add. Once your cycle is done and you have fish, the tank will look a lot less dark. Once way to brighten it up would be to spring for some Yellow Labs or some fish that are lighter blue. They would look OUTSTANDING against the dark substrate and rock

yeh was thinking of getting maybe 6 yellow labs, i realy like blue johannis but im havent researched if there compatable yet. i just a we bit more area for the fish to swim through, i have a couple of decent sized gaps in the wall were they can swim through and come out the top but i will try add a centre bit with lots of holes, and if it spoils the look i will take it out when i do my 100% water change before adding fish

 

[blagger]

Can I ask where you purchased your rock and gravel from (or is that black sand?). I am in the process of getting a new tank and had an idea similar to yours, thanks.

 

[jamesmacc]

hi mate, the rock is from my local quarry, i can send you 100kg of it if you want to arrange a courier for it? the sand is black moon sand and the tank background is also black,
cheers, james

 

[blagger]

Thanks James. 100kg, that seems a lot of rock! Arranging a courier wouldn't be a problem, can do it for £6 per 30kg from anywhere in the UK. I'm going to start planning on what arrangement I want tonight so will let you know. How much rock I need I'm not sure, will have a 330 litre tank next week. How much will the rock be?

Had a search for the sand and not much came up in Google, I definitely want black sand so would be nice to know where you bought it from. I'll also need to work out how much I need. The tank foot area is 1200 x 477mm.

Thanks

 

[jamesmacc]

Thanks James. 100kg, that seems a lot of rock! Arranging a courier wouldn't be a problem, can do it for £6 per 30kg from anywhere in the UK. I'm going to start planning on what arrangement I want tonight so will let you know. How much rock I need I'm not sure, will have a 330 litre tank next week. How much will the rock be?

Had a search for the sand and not much came up in Google, I definitely want black sand so would be nice to know where you bought it from. I'll also need to work out how much I need. The tank foot area is 1200 x 477mm.

Thanks

hi mate, sorry for late reply. i used about 100kg for mine which is 50" tank. if you want the rock just let me know what sort of size and shapes you want, not sure what to package them in for delivery, what about a pallet? here is the black moon sand, its a lovely dark colour and shimmers nicely in the light http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-ornaments/natural-gravels-and-sand/coral-sand-and-marine-substrates/caribsea-black-marine-sand.html

 

[blagger]

Thanks for the reply. I already bought the black sand from here: http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Caribsea+Tropical+Black+Sand+9kg+

Was told it was exactly the same thing, £3 cheaper a bag that seapets.

I'm going to go down a local stone place, see what they have. Hopefully something cheap and cheerful! Probably looking at something light grey (slate maybe) or brown as I don't want to go the all black route. Currently have black sand and a black background.

Will give you a shout if I get stuck, apreciate the help though.