SCAPING INPUT NEEDED!
 

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!

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/...0acf1830_b.jpg

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.

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.

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...

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 ?

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.

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.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3...-h683-no/1.jpg

Honestly, I don't think 8" to the surface is enough space for SPS such as stags.
If its going to be a tabling acro tank, then things change and the rock can be higher.
I'm all for the rock being no higher than the mid-point and let the SPS go nuts :smile:

BTW, great to meet you tonight Dog

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the great ideas. I spent most of the afternoon Friday cutting, and chipping, and re-arranging.
Here are a few crappy phone pic examples:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...8d0fcbb2_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...74c192b5_c.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/...50c58644_c.jpg

This last one appeals to me the most. I must have tried more than a dozen combinations.
I think I will fill in a few gaps with fresh live rock, but for now I think this will make for a good base.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/...8f146a7b_c.jpg

I don't have any pukani left, but I do have approx. 30lbs of branch left over (if anyone wants some branch let me know, lol).

Thanks Greg for the invite and the tour. Sorry I kept you up late stalling your WC!

Big improvement! I like your last one best, but the rock in the middle needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 the size that it is imo - really low prolife, just barely sticking up above the sand (if you're using sand). It will be like an island of Zoas or maybe an incrusting Monti if you want all SPS.

I like picture 3's positioning and OMG Warren is that water I see in the last picture, you can add live rock as required to fill gaps. Looks good.