Life Rock Reef Tree Arches Kit
Pack size
4 pieces (1 base + 3 arches) plus 1 stabilising rod
Water type
Marine
Part no.
CS0358DTS
Life Rock Reef Tree Arches Kit
The Reef Tree system built specifically around open arches. CaribSea Life Rock Reef Tree Arches Kit is a four-piece aquascaping kit - one large base piece and three arch-shaped pieces - predrilled and threaded onto a stabilising rod, assembling to roughly 41 x 41 x 51 cm (16 x 16 x 20 in) depending on arrangement. Where the standard Reef Tree Kit favours branching height, this kit is weighted toward open tunnels and overhangs, giving fish somewhere to swim through and corals a shaded spot to sit rather than a solid stack of rock.
Key features
- Four pieces, purpose-shaped - one large base piece plus three arches, so the open, swim-through look is built in rather than something you have to arrange yourself.
- Rod-assembled, no cement needed - predrilled pieces thread onto the included stabilising rod for a self-supporting structure without mortar or glue.
- Arches concentrate flow - the openings funnel water through the structure rather than around it, which is where corals sited just inside or above an arch mouth often get the strongest flow on the aquascape.
- Aragonite base rock - genuine reef mineral content, not moulded cement.
- Pre-coated coralline look, no curing required - dry-shipped, manufactured rather than reef-harvested, so there is no die-off period and no wild-collection pest risk.
What's included, and what you'll still need
Included: 1 large base piece, 3 arch pieces, and 1 stabilising rod to join them.
You'll still need: sand or substrate for underneath, which is not included; aquascaping mortar or rock-bonding putty if you want the structure permanently fixed rather than resting free; and your own tank, stand and livestock.
Specifications
| Assembled footprint | Approximately 41 x 41 x 51 cm (16 x 16 x 20 in), varies with arrangement |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 4 - one large base piece, three arches, plus one stabilising rod |
| Material | Aragonite base rock with an artificial coralline-mimicking coating |
| Assembly | Pieces thread onto the rod; no cement or glue required to build |
| Curing required | No |
| Water type | Marine and reef aquariums |
| Effect on water | Aragonite base - raises and buffers pH and carbonate hardness |
| Supplier code | CS0358DTS |
Which Life Rock format do I need?
| Product | Format | Pack | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Rock Original | Loose, assorted base pieces | 40 lb (18 kg) box | Building the main footprint of a reef aquascape from scratch |
| Life Rock Shapes | Loose arches, rings and tunnels | 20 lb (9 kg) box | Adding open swim-throughs to a scape you are building yourself |
| Life Rock Reef Tree Kit | Pre-shaped branching kit on a stabilising rod | 4 pieces | A ready-made vertical centrepiece, no loose-rock aquascaping needed |
| Life Rock Reef Tree Arches Kit | Pre-shaped kit built around open arches, on a rod | 4 pieces | The Reef Tree look, weighted toward tunnels and overhangs |
| Life Rock Reef Tree Extension Kit | Add-on pieces plus a short rod | 2 pieces | Adding height or width to a Reef Tree Kit or Arches Kit you already own |
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for: reef keepers who want open tunnels and overhangs rather than a solid rock pile; tanks where fish need somewhere to swim through the structure, not just around it; anyone who wants an established coralline look immediately.
Not suitable for: freshwater tanks - this is a marine reef product. If your priority is height rather than open arches, the standard Life Rock Reef Tree Kit is the better starting piece.
Setting it up
- Rinse the pieces under tap water to clear shipping dust.
- Thread the base and arch pieces onto the stabilising rod and test the arrangement outside the tank first.
- Stand the finished structure directly on the glass base, not on loose sand, so it cannot topple.
- Add aquascaping mortar at the base if the tank holds large or boisterous fish that could dislodge it.
Goes well with
- CaribSea Life Rock Reef Tree Extension Kit - adds further height or width using the same rod system.
- CaribSea Life Rock Shapes - loose arches, rings and tunnels to extend the open look further across the aquascape.
- CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand - an aragonite sand bed styled to sit underneath.
Warranty and delivery
CaribSea does not publish a warranty term on its rock products. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless, and are not limited by anything the manufacturer does or does not offer.
Rock pieces are handmade and can be fragile in transit - inspect the box on arrival and photograph any breakage before use.
Common questions
How is this different from the standard Reef Tree Kit?
Both use the same predrilled, rod-assembled system. The standard Reef Tree Kit is built for branching height; the Arches Kit is built specifically around open tunnels - one large base piece plus three arches - so it reads more open and gives fish more places to swim through.
Do I need cement to assemble it?
No. The four pieces are predrilled and lock onto the included stabilising rod. Cement is optional, worth adding only if you want the structure permanently fixed.
Does it need curing before I add livestock?
No. Life Rock is manufactured, not reef-harvested, so there is no die-off to cure out - just rinse off shipping dust before use.
Can corals go directly on the arches?
Yes, once the tank is cycled and stable. The arch mouths are a common spot to frag-mount corals that want strong, funnelled flow.
Will it work in a freshwater tank?
No. It is coated and marketed as a marine reef product, and its aragonite base raises pH and hardness in a way that does not suit most freshwater setups.
