How to Build Your Own Microscape: A Step-by-Step Guide
Big reef ideas can start with a handful of small rocks! Our Build Your Own Microscape Kit lets you create a custom rock structure for your desktop aquarium, from a simple island to an arch or a series of coral platforms.
Designed for the 40oz Micro Tank and 0.5 Gallon Nomad, this kit is a fun way to make your reef your own. Building for a 1 Gallon Small-In-One? We recommend purchasing two kits to give yourself more material to work with.
Every kit includes different rock shapes and sizes, so your finished microscape will be one of a kind!'
What’s in Your Kit?
Dry Marco Rock Rubble Pieces: A variety of shapes and sizes for building your structure.
2 Tubes of Reef-Safe Super Glue Gel: For securing your rock pieces together.
Dry Sand: For disguising visible glue joints and blending your structure together.
Medium Latex-Free Gloves: For use while assembling your microscape.
QR Code Instruction Card: Your link to this guide and inspiration photos!
Tip: You'll also want a protected work surface, a ruler, and a piece of paper or cardboard for planning your layout.
1. Plan Your Footprint
Before opening the glue, figure out how much room your microscape can occupy. Measure the usable space inside your aquarium, accounting for equipment, overflow areas, and anything else that needs to remain accessible. Draw that footprint on paper or cardboard and use it as a guide while arranging your rocks.
Leave room for:
Cleaning: Your scraper should be able to reach between the rockwork and the aquarium walls.
Water movement: Keep space around the structure so water can circulate.
Coral growth: Leave room above and around your rocks for corals to expand.
Maintenance: Avoid blocking equipment or removable components.
Tip: A structure that fills every inch of the aquarium can feel crowded once corals are added. Start with a little open space!
2. Sort Your Rock Pieces
Spread your rubble out on your protected work surface and look for pieces that could serve different purposes.
Broad, flat pieces make useful bases and coral platforms.
Longer pieces can form bridges, arches, or connecting sections.
Small, irregular pieces can support joints or fill gaps.
3. Try a Few Shapes Without Glue
Arrange your rocks inside your footprint guide before committing to a design. Rotate pieces, try different combinations, and look at the structure from the front, sides, and above.
Here are a few shapes to explore:
The Arch
Use two sturdy supports with connecting rocks across the top. Keep the arch low and well supported so it stays balanced.
Tiered Platforms
Arrange pieces at different heights to create several coral placement spots. Offset the platforms so the upper levels don’t shade every surface below.
Tip: Use an extra piece of rubble as an island in the front. This is a great place to isolate fast-growing corals such as Green Star Polyp (GSP).
Use the photos above as inspiration rather than an exact blueprint. Your kit’s rock shapes will vary, and finding a design that works with your pieces is part of the fun! Once you like your arrangement, take a quick photo so you can reference it while gluing.
4. Glue One Connection at a Time
Put on your gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Avoid touching the adhesive and follow the glue label’s handling and curing instructions. Super glue can bond skin and many glove materials, so keep your fingers clear of the joints.
For each connection:
Check the fit. Find a position where the two rocks make solid contact.
Apply super glue gel. Add it to the contact area.
Press the pieces together. Hold them still according to the adhesive’s instructions.
Support the joint. Let it set before adding weight or building onto it.
Work from the base upward, adding one piece at a time. Small rubble pieces can act as braces beneath shelves or alongside connections.
5. Blend Visible Joints with Sand
While exposed glue is still tacky, gently sprinkle a small amount of the included dry sand onto it. This helps disguise shiny glue and gives the joint a more natural texture. Let the adhesive set before gently brushing away loose sand. If needed, apply a small additional amount of gel to an exposed gap and repeat.
The glue holds the rocks together; the sand helps hide the connection. Sand alone won’t make an unstable joint secure.
6. Let It Cure, Then Check Your Work
Allow every joint to cure fully according to the glue manufacturer’s instructions before rinsing or placing the structure in your aquarium. A surface that feels firm may still need more curing time underneath.
Once cured:
Gently check each connection for movement.
Confirm the structure sits flat without tipping.
Look for unsupported shelves or loose pieces.
Recheck the overall dimensions against your aquarium footprint.
If anything shifts, reinforce or rebuild that connection and allow it to cure again. Always support the microscape from underneath when moving it—avoid lifting it by an arch or platform.
7. Rinse and Place Your Microscape
Gently rinse the cured structure with fresh RODI water to remove loose dust and sand. Don’t use soap or household cleaners.
Carefully lower it into your aquarium, supporting the base as you go. Avoid dragging it across the tank’s surfaces, especially in acrylic aquariums.
Position it securely, then check that you can still reach your equipment and clean around the rockwork.
Adding it to an established aquarium? Make sure the structure won’t crush livestock or disturb existing corals.
8. Leave Space for Your Reef to Grow
Your microscape is the foundation for your future reef, so you don’t need to cover every surface with coral right away.
Use the different heights and surfaces to plan placement, keeping each coral’s lighting, flow, growth, and spacing needs in mind. Give corals with extending tentacles plenty of room from their neighbors.
Remember that dry rock and dry sand do not make an aquarium biologically ready for livestock on their own. Follow the setup and livestock guidance for your aquarium before adding animals.
Make It Your Own
There’s no single perfect microscape. A simple island can look just as striking as a detailed arch, especially once your corals begin to grow. Start with a stable base, take your time with each connection, and enjoy creating something unique for your little reef.
We’d love to see what you build! Tag PNW Custom in your photos or share your finished microscape in our Micro Reefing: Small Tank Takeover community to inspire other desktop reefers.
