Tank Layout for 125 gallon long

[Molino]

I will be getting a 125 gallon within the next few days (hopefully) and thought it would be easier to design the rock layout before putting them in the tank. Please have a look at the pics below and offer any suggestions/criticisms. This will be a Hap tank with some Mooris, Venustus, etc...

I like the first one with the large boulder on it's end and the last one although I'm not sure about how I stacked all the smaller rocks. I find it looked lopsided having them all on one side, so also put some in front of the rock on the right hand side in front of the other large rock, although it is difficult to see.

I may try a few more setups and post the results here.

Edit: I tried another setup, similar to the first one, with the large boulder on it's end and with the smaller rocks as well.

 

[alanhill]

Looks good to me, provided you are not planning on a great depth of sand/gravel (which would lose the smaller pieces). I've no personal experience of Malawi haps, but I think they are supposed to be relatively easy-going (by cichlid standards) so you won't need to provide refuges in the top corners for harassed individuals.
I don't think I'd have the longest axes of the 2 largest rocks parallel to the back of the tank, I would try to angle them slightly front to back to get a greater feeling of depth.

Alan

 

[Molino]

Thanks for the feedback Alan.

I don't think I'd have the longest axes of the 2 largest rocks parallel to the back of the tank, I would try to angle them slightly front to back to get a greater feeling of depth.

I agree, I do already have them angled a little, but it's hard to see in the picture. I may angle the rock on the right hand a little more and see how it looks when it's in the tank.

 

[malawi_luver]

Wow a larger tank im looking into getting a 240 in the next year maybe youll need to come and help me lol

Looks great so far cant wait to see pics!

Garrett

 

[Molino]

Wow a larger tank im looking into getting a 240 in the next year maybe youll need to come and help me lol

Maybe, let me know if you need help. A 240? That'd be nice.

 

[malawi_luver]

Yes and if you need any help call me up or pm me ...

 

[JerseyJay]

Molino,

My favorite is your last edited version.

Check some of my pictures from couple of years ago.

http://www.greenstouch.com/africanlakes.htm

 

[Molino]

Thanks Jay, I remember seeing those pictures of your tank a few years ago. Looks very nice. I may consider getting some plants in mine if/when I get better lighting.

ML, I sent you a PM. Not for help though :lol: My brother and I should be ok, in fact it sounds like he'll be able to get some kind of cart with wheels on it, which will be very handy! The plan is to get the tank tommorow.

 

[Molino]

Here it is!!!!! I've only put in the three large rocks so far. It was sure hard getting that big rock, safely, into the aquarium... I'm going to keep the tank like this for awhile and decide if I want to try a bunch of smaller rocks as well. Still need to set up a background.

 

[Obliviou$]

Congratulations Molino!
Looking good. Having big rocks (and a couple of small ones) really makes the tank look a whole lot of bigger. Especially when the fish is in.

Maybe you should tilt all the rocks a little to the right, or left so it looks like they're been molded by the current?