egg crate bottom

[dannyny]

hey guys just wondering how many of you have egg crates on the bottom of your tanks? i was planning to just use sand but i seen a few people use egg crates to cushion the bottom from falling rocks and for stability? not sure just wanted your opinion before i started.

thanks in advance

 

[kidninja]

yes i use it. main reason to not have the rocks directly on the bottom glass

 

[rbtwo4]

i actually used a sheet of acrylic

 

[savage]

+1 on the egg crate prevent any rock slides occurring expecially when fish like to dig in the sand..

 

[strgazr27]

Starboard in mine.

 

[jcdeng]

just sand for the reef tank. I have used egg crate for my cichlid tank just because they are big and aggressive and can knock rocks over.

 

[dannyny]

+1 on the egg crate prevent any rock slides occurring expecially when fish like to dig in the sand..

you are the reason why i started this thread. i saw your build which looks amazing by the way...

do you have issues with dead spots?

 

[savage]

you are the reason why i started this thread. i saw your build which looks amazing by the way...

do you have issues with dead spots?

Thank you... And to answer your question no so far but that would probly change once I start adding coral's and they start to grow ....

 

[ducati335i]

Eggcrate is the worst! It traps tons of crap unless it's suspended or floating.. Use acrylic.......

 

[Tonyscoots84]

+1 to ducati thats why i decided not to use it.

 

[albano]

Eggcrate is the worst! It traps tons of crap unless it's suspended or floating.. Use acrylic.......

+2. Rocks on bottom glass, set up first...add sand later
Even better is rocks on 'legs' above sand

 

[savage]

Eggcrate is the worst! It traps tons of crap unless it's suspended or floating.. Use acrylic.......

I'm lost?? how do u get crap under 4" sand bed???

 

[albano]

I'm lost?? how do u get crap under 4" sand bed???

If you have a 4" sand bed, why do you need egg crate ?

 

[savage]

If you have a 4" sand bed, why do you need egg crate ?

Bro my last tank i used them so i did this one.. Why you ask is there something I'm missing???

 

[Imbarrie]

Have to agree here. It offers no mobility to anything that will be trying to move through the sand.
Legs are the best idea but acrylic or starboard would be easier.

 

[savage]

Have to agree here. It offers no mobility to anything that will be trying to move through the sand.
Legs are the best idea but acrylic or starboard would be easier.

Good point Imbarrie thank you for the feed back..

 

[Bigkahuna]

I'm using a heavy piece of 3/4" sheet PVC on which I'm erecting PVC pipe as a framework to build my rockwork. I figured if I was going to have something under the sand I might as well make use of it. My goal is to have a decent amount of rockwork with a relatively small amount of rock in contact with the bottom. So far I have the basics done and have most of the first "tree-like bommie" built but I keep fiddling with it so I'm not sure how long it's gonna take

 

[Steve canada]

The best way to do it is to drill holes in your rock work and use acrylic rods.You can use several rods to support the bottom (of the base rocks) and this way there will be no dead spots in your sand bed.When my buddy dismantled his 1000 gal tank there was a bunch of black looking gunk under most of the rocks that where sitting on the sand.Having the rock suspended over the sand will leave no dead spots.It does take a lot of effort to do this more so on large tanks.It is more simple if you use dry rock vs live rock (less messy).

 

[Imbarrie]

Nice ideas. I have moved live rock and found there to be dark areas where the sand covered it.
I love the idea of a suspended rock scape. Just make sure it is rigid and supported.

 

[Steve canada]

If you use acrylic rods and putty it will work well.The rods are pretty strong if you use 5/8 rod it would be strong enough for the base rocks at the bottom of the structure.I am thinking about removing half of the rocks in my tank and buying dry rock and forming a suspended rock structure.I would glue several rods on the base rocks this way there is no chance it would collapse.I have seen a few people do this.Its more messy with live rock so but you can do it.You would have to keep the rock moist.This is why I would do it with dry rock.You would have no time constraints.