[Freddy Twotimes]

I took a digital photo of my aquascape to my local fish store after I bought the LR. [My tank is cycling right now] The guy at my LFS said I should put the small pieces on the bottom and create more shelves with the big pieces on top.

This was really different as I have put the big pieces on the bottom of the tank as a base for the other pieces of rock. He said this would create more caves and swim channels and make the tank look bigger. So when I got home I did what he said.

To my suprise, I got more swings with the Ammonia level and Nitrate level in 24 hours than I did in the prievious 6 days! Opening up the rock must have improved the water flow over more exposed surface area and therefor the cycling process seemed to be faster? This is the first time I have ever documented the levels during a cycling process up to 3 times a day...when I can. It blew me away that by opening up the rock caused that much of a difference in the function of the bio filter capability in my tank!

The ammonia level went from 5.0 PPM to .05 back up to 2.5 in a day and a half where it was 5.0 for 6 days prior. I guess flow really is as important as light.

[leebca]

That's putting your live rock to work!

Fish love caves and holes through the rocks.

Great post!

[kevinpo]

I also recommend putting the small pieces on the bottom. The larger heavier ones hold them down and prevent them from being knocked over later down the road. One of the most frustrating things I can think of is coming home and finding corals in a heap in the front of your tank because the rock they were on moved.

Your fish will actually be out more when they know there are plenty of overhangs to dart into.

Regards,
Kevin