Living Blocks Reef Removal | Install and Assembly
The Living Blocks reef is the foundation of your Living Oceans Aquarium, providing a secure structure for your corals while creating a natural-looking reefscape. Each reef is designed to be simple to assemble, easy to customise and flexible enough to make adding or repositioning corals straightforward.
Whether you're assembling your reef for the first time or attaching new corals, the process only takes a few minutes. Watch the video below to see the complete assembly process. The guide underneath provides step-by-step instructions for building the reef, attaching corals and reinstalling the finished structure.
Understanding the Living Blocks System
Your Living Blocks reef is built around a trellis using several components:
- Living Blocks.
- Long dowels.
- Short dowels.
- Column pieces.
The long dowels secure the reef to the trellis, while the short dowels connect the individual Living Blocks together to create the finished reef structure.
Assembling the Reef
Follow the Living Oceans assembly guide supplied with your aquarium to build your reef.
Begin by installing the column pieces onto the trellis, then attach the Living Blocks using the long and short dowels as instructed.
If a block becomes detached during assembly, simply push the dowels back into the dowel holes and reconnect the block until it clicks securely into place.
Installing Your Corals
Once the reef has been assembled, carefully lift it from the aquarium and place it on a towel-covered work surface.
Open each coral bag by pulling the tear tab and removing the elastic band.
Before handling your corals, make sure your hands are clean and free from soaps, lotions or other contaminants.
Corals with Plugs
Most corals supplied by Living Oceans are mounted on coral plugs.
Simply align the plug with a suitable hole in the Living Blocks reef and gently push it into place until it clicks securely into position.
Repeat this process for each plugged coral.
Corals Without Plugs
Some larger corals may not be supplied with plugs.
These can either be placed naturally on the reef or permanently attached using a reef-safe cyanoacrylate gel, such as Gorilla Super Glue Gel.
Apply a small amount of glue to both the base of the coral and the Living Block, then press the coral firmly into position until the glue sets.
Securing larger corals helps prevent them from shifting or falling as the aquarium matures.
Reinstalling the Reef
Once all corals have been positioned, carefully place the reef back into the aquarium.
Push the structure down into the sand as far as practical so the supporting trellis is hidden beneath the substrate, creating a more natural reef appearance.
Routine Maintenance
The Living Blocks reef requires very little maintenance once installed.
We recommend:
- Checking occasionally that corals remain securely attached.
- Reattaching any loose Living Blocks by pushing the dowels back into place.
- Using reef-safe super glue if larger corals become unstable over time.
- Keeping the trellis buried beneath the sand for the most natural appearance.
Need More Help?
If you're having difficulty assembling your Living Blocks reef or positioning your corals, please contact the Living Oceans Support Team.
To help us assist you as quickly as possible, please include:
- Your aquarium model (80L, 130L or 200L).
- A brief description of the issue.
- Photos of your reef structure or the component you're having trouble assembling.
This information will help us provide the fastest and most accurate support.