SCAPING INPUT NEEDED!

[WarDog]

It has been suggested to me that my rockwork is too tall for SPS (by a few outspoken reefers). I am very happy for the honest input.
As of now, the rock on the right stands 16" tall in a 24" tank. If I cut along the dotted line, that would bring it down to approx. 10 - 11 inches in height.
Simple poll. Cut now, or have a headache later once its all established?

Appreciate all input and thank you!

[IanWR]

I did vote for cutting, but I only mean the rock on the right. Leave the branch, but bring down the height of the right tower to about where your line is. It makes the rock more asymmetric. Perhaps consider using the the rock you take off the top as a low 3rd rock between and in front of the other 2?

[Myka]

Originally Posted by IanWR

I did vote for cutting, but I only mean the rock on the right. Leave the branch, but bring down the height of the right tower to about where your line is. It makes the rock more asymmetric. Perhaps consider using the the rock you take off the top as a low 3rd rock between and in front of the other 2?

I didn't vote, but I agree with this, and like the idea of the 3rd rock in front too. Personally, I would put the branch structure on the right side of the tank with the branches reaching into the middle of the tank, and the solid structure on the left side of the tank. Then put that third rock just off center under the branches of the branch structure. I think that would look more balanced. Right now your rock is a bit overpowering of the space. I like the structures you made though - good work!

Not all SPS grow hugely upwards - stags do, lots of deepwater species do. I wouldn't mount a stag on the top of the branch rock. Haha. That would just look weird anyway. Many of the different SPS shapes (Milles come to mind) would likely outgrow your tank sideways before they would outgrow your tank upwards.

One last thing, the epoxy loops you're using to hold the solid structure to the acrylic won't stick very well. I would pop that up and put some crazy glue under it, or drill a hole in the acrylic and use acrylic glue to put an acrylic rod in. You can rough up the rod with a hack saw and get the expoxy to attach to that. Either way, epoxy doesn't stick real well to smooth surfaces.

[reefwars]

I'd personally take the whole peace on the right and chisel or dreamel it into a nice 3d shape , right now it's just a larger boulder but that can be changed

[Ryanerickson]

Originally Posted by reefwars

I'd personally take the whole peace on the right and chisel or dreamel it into a nice 3d shape , right now it's just a larger boulder but that can be changed

I agree with this left branching rock looks great the right piece is nothing more then a Boulder.

[gobytron]

Ive been away for a while...
why/how is your scape too high?

Do you not have the option of just attaching your sps lower on the 'scape if YOU like the way it looks currently?

You're the one who is going to be looking at it all day...

[Pike]

i vote chop it now but could there be an alternative ?. Chopping all that rock seems like a big task unless you have the right tools. How about detaching from the base and flipping them around in another position that would lower everything ?

[mike31154]

Why chop the large rock at all? Shame to cut up a nice piece like that. Lay it on it's side and it won't be as tall, or is that not an option?

[straightrazorguy]

Originally Posted by mike31154

Why chop the large rock at all? Shame to cut up a nice piece like that. Lay it on it's side and it won't be as tall, or is that not an option?

+ 1. YOu can re-arrange the rock without chopping.

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

It is a nice piece the way it sits,I suggest rearranging 1st before chopping.
But like someone said above you could place the slower growing SPS at the top of that Pukani.
You mentioned that you have roughly 8" from the top of that Pukani to the water surface line that is good distance for growth.

If you still planning on chopping maybe try this.
Chop the bottom half flip it and place it on another side of the tank and you have a large Pukani a smaller piece and the branching Tonga.