eggcrate on tank bottom

pskorf · 12/07/2009, 08:40 PM

what are the pros and cons?

like the idea so rocks would not slide but will the sand bed not get a good "sifting" by fish.

in my set up about 2 inch sand bottom(according to calculater here on reef central)

Sisterlimonpot · 12/07/2009, 09:08 PM

Many use the eggcrates on the bottom because they just don't like the idea of Live rock sitting directly on the glass bottom. It helps transfer the weight of the aquascaping. 2 inches of sand isn't going to be a big deal. it will make it harder for sand sifter to get around but they will navigate the obstacles.

A con would be that you may have your power heads pointed in such a way that it wont allow sand to cover the crate and exposing it. and I know there's more.

vincejo28 · 12/07/2009, 09:10 PM

I only place the egg crate under the rocks. It really helps stabilize the rock. This also prevents the gobies and other sand sifters from digging under the rock and causing your structure to collapse.

pskorf · 12/07/2009, 09:12 PM

have even thought of making like a plus sign where the middle of width and length hits the sides only(maybe 3-4squares wide) so basically four corners are empty of any eggcrate. this way center is where the rock will be and on eggcrate.

hope someone understands what i am thinking.

superglue · 12/07/2009, 10:25 PM

If rocks are properly placed on the glass/acrylic bottom, there shouldn't really be a need for egg crate to "balance" them. Rocks should be put in before the sand so that even if sand sifters and fish move the sand, the rocks will not fall or tumble. Egg crate could possibly create "dead zone" pockets where waste and detritus will not be moved or blown out, causing a nutrient problem in the future. Just my $0.02.

jenjen · 12/07/2009, 10:52 PM

I put egg crate under my rock, mainly to stop it from sliding. I put the egg crate down first, added sand until it was level with the egg crate, placed the base rock, added the rest of the sand then added water & completed the aquascape. The tank has only been running 8 months so I guess we'll have to wait to see if it creates a nutrient problem but so far so good.

Oh and I have a sifting fish... he seems quite fine with the egg crate being there.

Arthurjc · 12/07/2009, 11:03 PM

This sounds like a great idea I think I’m going to try this when I get a new tank.

Korrine · 12/07/2009, 11:22 PM

I didn't use egg crate. Just made sure my rock was sitting on the glass. Have 3-4" of sand depending on where you measure.

Tank set up March 09, pistol shrimp/goby pair added April 09 and despite the digging and rearranging of his burrow right under the rock the shrimp has not caused a collapse. He's changed entrances quite often also.

Frick-n-Frags · 12/08/2009, 03:30 AM

major con: it fouls and you will have to deal with it at some point. hundreds of little cubes of yuck. in your big "yuck-cube tray"

the weight is offset by an equal volume of water weight, so LR doesn't really weigh that much more than the water. rock can sit on glass or thin sand no problem.

12/07/2009, 08:40 PM	#1
pskorf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Forreston,IL. Posts: 141	eggcrate on tank bottom what are the pros and cons? like the idea so rocks would not slide but will the sand bed not get a good "sifting" by fish. in my set up about 2 inch sand bottom(according to calculater here on reef central)

12/07/2009, 09:08 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Many use the eggcrates on the bottom because they just don't like the idea of Live rock sitting directly on the glass bottom. It helps transfer the weight of the aquascaping. 2 inches of sand isn't going to be a big deal. it will make it harder for sand sifter to get around but they will navigate the obstacles. A con would be that you may have your power heads pointed in such a way that it wont allow sand to cover the crate and exposing it. and I know there's more. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/07/2009, 10:52 PM	#6
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	I put egg crate under my rock, mainly to stop it from sliding. I put the egg crate down first, added sand until it was level with the egg crate, placed the base rock, added the rest of the sand then added water & completed the aquascape. The tank has only been running 8 months so I guess we'll have to wait to see if it creates a nutrient problem but so far so good. Oh and I have a sifting fish... he seems quite fine with the egg crate being there. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

12/07/2009, 11:22 PM	#8
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	I didn't use egg crate. Just made sure my rock was sitting on the glass. Have 3-4" of sand depending on where you measure. Tank set up March 09, pistol shrimp/goby pair added April 09 and despite the digging and rearranging of his burrow right under the rock the shrimp has not caused a collapse. He's changed entrances quite often also. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

12/08/2009, 03:30 AM	#9
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	major con: it fouls and you will have to deal with it at some point. hundreds of little cubes of yuck. in your big "yuck-cube tray" the weight is offset by an equal volume of water weight, so LR doesn't really weigh that much more than the water. rock can sit on glass or thin sand no problem. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/07/2009, 09:10 PM	#3
vincejo28 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 251	I only place the egg crate under the rocks. It really helps stabilize the rock. This also prevents the gobies and other sand sifters from digging under the rock and causing your structure to collapse.

12/07/2009, 09:12 PM	#4
pskorf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Forreston,IL. Posts: 141	have even thought of making like a plus sign where the middle of width and length hits the sides only(maybe 3-4squares wide) so basically four corners are empty of any eggcrate. this way center is where the rock will be and on eggcrate. hope someone understands what i am thinking.

12/07/2009, 10:25 PM	#5
superglue Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 137	If rocks are properly placed on the glass/acrylic bottom, there shouldn't really be a need for egg crate to "balance" them. Rocks should be put in before the sand so that even if sand sifters and fish move the sand, the rocks will not fall or tumble. Egg crate could possibly create "dead zone" pockets where waste and detritus will not be moved or blown out, causing a nutrient problem in the future. Just my $0.02.

12/07/2009, 11:03 PM	#7
Arthurjc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NC Posts: 64	This sounds like a great idea I think I’m going to try this when I get a new tank.