Best Item to use for base under Live Rock?

Danshoe42 · 06/26/2016, 01:16 PM

Hello all - I was thinking about putting egg crates down at the bottom of my tank and then building the rock base off of that. I have read around the net and it sounds like this can turn into a detritus trap and isn't a good idea. What is everyone's suggestions?

gone fishin · 06/26/2016, 02:36 PM

I have pieces of eggcrate under my rock. This tank has been set up now for 4-1/2 years. I personally have not had any problems from detritus build up. Good luck just my 2 cents.

Sk8r · 06/26/2016, 02:37 PM

I do. Heavy tall rockwork can take out your sideglass if not restrained somehow, and this is an easy restraint. Keep some nassarius snails and they'll clean undersand. So will some fish.

thegrun · 06/26/2016, 09:36 PM

I've used egg crate for years without issue. I've taken down two tanks that had been up for over 5 years each and neither had detritus near the egg crate. If you have a decent clean up crew with nassarius snails it will not be a problem. I have had issues in tanks were I did not use egg crate with the rocks shifting and causing rock slides over time. I am a big advocate of egg crate in tanks with sand.

j_mazzy · 06/26/2016, 09:55 PM

Eggcrate, build aquascape and set. then add enough sand to cover by about an inch. Cerith and Nassarius and all good.

rt67ghy · 06/27/2016, 06:28 AM

I also have crates under my rockwork. As long as the sand covers the egg crate detritus shouldn't be able to enter the egg crate.

06/26/2016, 01:16 PM	#1
Danshoe42 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	Best Item to use for base under Live Rock? Hello all - I was thinking about putting egg crates down at the bottom of my tank and then building the rock base off of that. I have read around the net and it sounds like this can turn into a detritus trap and isn't a good idea. What is everyone's suggestions?

06/26/2016, 02:36 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I have pieces of eggcrate under my rock. This tank has been set up now for 4-1/2 years. I personally have not had any problems from detritus build up. Good luck just my 2 cents. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

06/26/2016, 02:37 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I do. Heavy tall rockwork can take out your sideglass if not restrained somehow, and this is an easy restraint. Keep some nassarius snails and they'll clean undersand. So will some fish. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/27/2016, 06:28 AM	#6
rt67ghy Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Posts: 984	I also have crates under my rockwork. As long as the sand covers the egg crate detritus shouldn't be able to enter the egg crate. __________________ 180g mixed reef. 53g sump including 20g fuge. 320lbs LR, 140lbs LS. 1/2 hp chiller. Temp 75-79. Current Tank Info: Fish: 1 yellow tang, 1 mandarin, 1 pair of tomato clowns, 1 maroon clown, 1 skunk clown, 1 banggai cardinal. Anemones: 1 green haddoni carpet, 2 heteractis auroras, 1 LTA.

06/26/2016, 09:36 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I've used egg crate for years without issue. I've taken down two tanks that had been up for over 5 years each and neither had detritus near the egg crate. If you have a decent clean up crew with nassarius snails it will not be a problem. I have had issues in tanks were I did not use egg crate with the rocks shifting and causing rock slides over time. I am a big advocate of egg crate in tanks with sand.

06/26/2016, 09:55 PM	#5
j_mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: about an hour from charlotte Posts: 622	Eggcrate, build aquascape and set. then add enough sand to cover by about an inch. Cerith and Nassarius and all good.