Eggcrate under the sand?

PrivateJoker64 · 08/07/2006, 08:54 PM

I'm on the verge of setting up a new 29, and am thinking of putting as layer of eggcrate under the sand to keep the rock from scratching / breaking the glass, and also to keep anything (hopefully) from digging holes down to the glass. I am only going to have about an inch of sand.
Anyone ever do this?
Pros/cons?

puffer21 · 08/07/2006, 09:06 PM

you can put the sand on after the rock that way it wouldnt cause a rock slide

Lambianz · 08/07/2006, 09:27 PM

why are u worried about something no will see? more sand the better if not using wet dry system, sand also acts as filtration,

PrivateJoker64 · 08/08/2006, 09:16 AM

You guys don't get it at all.
I don't want the rocks to touch the glass. I also don't want starboard.
I definately DO NOT want another dsb, and I don't want a goby or whatever to fan the sand away down to expose the glass.
I'd like opinions of people who have tried this if possible.
If not, maybe I'll be the first.

RichConley · 08/08/2006, 09:23 AM

I did it in my freshwater tank.

IMO, eggcrate being exposed from digging fish is much worse looking than glass.

Whisperer · 08/08/2006, 09:23 AM

I have an eggcrate under my SSB (1-1.5 inch). The reason for doing it is because I do not want the sand to shift to one place and leave a bare glass bottom visible. Another reason is that I made a home made rock that was shaped like an arch with lots of platforms along the arch (for corals to perch on later). This is quite heavy and I was afraid of having two pressure points on the glass. I thought that the eggcrate will distribute the weight and at the same time will keep the sand from too much shifting. JMO

Black Mammoth · 08/08/2006, 09:54 AM

Well here's something to think about.

You said you want to do this so that critters don't dig holes down to the glass (well one of the reasons). I suspect that they will continue to do this anyway. So instead of seeing glass you will see eggcrate.

I'm thinking that if you gently put the rock on the glass and have it stable (ie glue or stack good) that the rocks won't move. So that might help with the scractching issue.

One last point. If you have eggcrate, it might be harder for snails and other critters to stir up and clean the sand. I'm wondering if you'll have a nitrate problem.

Let us know what you decided to do!

Aquaman · 08/08/2006, 10:04 AM

The only time i've seen eggcrate used is when setting up a jaubert plenumn system. The problem with the setup the way you described you will partition off your sand and the live critters that make the sand home will not be able to move about as easily. It won't stop the critters IE [i]Gobies[/b] or [i]cukes[/b] from digging they will stop at the egg crate and that would look tacky IMO. The idea of setting your rock on eggcrate has its merits and might be a good idea but not covering the whole tank, just the points where the rock would touch the glass.

PrivateJoker64 · 08/08/2006, 11:13 AM

I'm wondering if you'll have a nitrate problem. - The shallow sand bed I'm planning won't do anything about nitrate anyhow.
IMO, eggcrate being exposed from digging fish is much worse looking than glass. - I hadn't thought of that for some reason. You're right.
The idea of setting your rock on eggcrate has its merits and might be a good idea but not covering the whole tank, just the points where the rock would touch the glass. - I think that's what I'll do.
I'll eventually post pics as I go with this new setup. Doing several thing different from the previous tanks.

funkyman · 08/08/2006, 12:00 PM

I did exactly what you're asking about for the exact same reasons. The only difference is, my sand bed is anywhere from 4"-6" deep.

Where the "foundation" rocks were going to be, I placed pieces of pvc conduit to act as pillars and support the eggcrate. That way, even if something "did" burough under the eggcrate, nothing would happen.

I have a pic of this on my computer at home. I'll post it later.

pactrop · 08/08/2006, 12:07 PM

I think I need glasses.

Maybe just some Asprin.

Aquaman · 08/08/2006, 12:50 PM

I musta been drunk when I posted that, didn't even see I did the codes wrong. shesh i gotta wake up.

funkyman · 08/08/2006, 02:49 PM

Sk8r · 08/08/2006, 02:59 PM

I use it in that way: I have a 4" dsb, eggcrate down first, then rock, then sand. It stabilizes the rock so it won't roll or turn under pressure, it holds the sand in place, and it doesn't let a burrower cause a landslide. I have no areas of bare eggcrate [but all my flow is aimed at the opposite glass, so it will break up and randomize]. I'm quite happy with the arrangement and recommend it to anyone thinking of keeping burrowing fish.

08/07/2006, 08:54 PM	#1
PrivateJoker64 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 1,145	Eggcrate under the sand? I'm on the verge of setting up a new 29, and am thinking of putting as layer of eggcrate under the sand to keep the rock from scratching / breaking the glass, and also to keep anything (hopefully) from digging holes down to the glass. I am only going to have about an inch of sand. Anyone ever do this? Pros/cons?

08/07/2006, 09:06 PM	#2
puffer21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,006	you can put the sand on after the rock that way it wouldnt cause a rock slide __________________ I have never been one for guidelines Current Tank Info: 20g Turtle Tank and 58g OC Ultimate Reef :)

08/07/2006, 09:27 PM	#3
Lambianz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodlands Tx. Posts: 136	why are u worried about something no will see? more sand the better if not using wet dry system, sand also acts as filtration, __________________ Lamb Current Tank Info: 54g Corner Bow Front

08/08/2006, 09:23 AM	#5
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I did it in my freshwater tank. IMO, eggcrate being exposed from digging fish is much worse looking than glass. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/08/2006, 09:23 AM	#6
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	I have an eggcrate under my SSB (1-1.5 inch). The reason for doing it is because I do not want the sand to shift to one place and leave a bare glass bottom visible. Another reason is that I made a home made rock that was shaped like an arch with lots of platforms along the arch (for corals to perch on later). This is quite heavy and I was afraid of having two pressure points on the glass. I thought that the eggcrate will distribute the weight and at the same time will keep the sand from too much shifting. JMO __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

08/08/2006, 09:16 AM	#4
PrivateJoker64 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 1,145	You guys don't get it at all. I don't want the rocks to touch the glass. I also don't want starboard. I definately DO NOT want another dsb, and I don't want a goby or whatever to fan the sand away down to expose the glass. I'd like opinions of people who have tried this if possible. If not, maybe I'll be the first.

08/08/2006, 09:54 AM	#7
Black Mammoth Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lovettsville, VA Posts: 434	Well here's something to think about. You said you want to do this so that critters don't dig holes down to the glass (well one of the reasons). I suspect that they will continue to do this anyway. So instead of seeing glass you will see eggcrate. I'm thinking that if you gently put the rock on the glass and have it stable (ie glue or stack good) that the rocks won't move. So that might help with the scractching issue. One last point. If you have eggcrate, it might be harder for snails and other critters to stir up and clean the sand. I'm wondering if you'll have a nitrate problem. Let us know what you decided to do!

08/08/2006, 10:04 AM	#8
Aquaman Fishinchick's better half Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: St Cloud, FL USA Posts: 2,278	The only time i've seen eggcrate used is when setting up a jaubert plenumn system. The problem with the setup the way you described you will partition off your sand and the live critters that make the sand home will not be able to move about as easily. It won't stop the critters IE [i]Gobies[/b] or [i]cukes[/b] from digging they will stop at the egg crate and that would look tacky IMO. The idea of setting your rock on eggcrate has its merits and might be a good idea but not covering the whole tank, just the points where the rock would touch the glass. __________________ Tang Police most wanted Outlaw. ORCA Founder Previous tanks, 125,120, 55,37,20, 15, 10, 5 Current Tank Info: 65 reef

08/08/2006, 11:13 AM	#9
PrivateJoker64 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 1,145	I'm wondering if you'll have a nitrate problem. - The shallow sand bed I'm planning won't do anything about nitrate anyhow. IMO, eggcrate being exposed from digging fish is much worse looking than glass. - I hadn't thought of that for some reason. You're right. The idea of setting your rock on eggcrate has its merits and might be a good idea but not covering the whole tank, just the points where the rock would touch the glass. - I think that's what I'll do. I'll eventually post pics as I go with this new setup. Doing several thing different from the previous tanks.

08/08/2006, 12:00 PM	#10
funkyman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,811	I did exactly what you're asking about for the exact same reasons. The only difference is, my sand bed is anywhere from 4"-6" deep. Where the "foundation" rocks were going to be, I placed pieces of pvc conduit to act as pillars and support the eggcrate. That way, even if something "did" burough under the eggcrate, nothing would happen. I have a pic of this on my computer at home. I'll post it later.

08/08/2006, 12:07 PM	#11
pactrop Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 266	I think I need glasses. Maybe just some Asprin.

08/08/2006, 12:50 PM	#12
Aquaman Fishinchick's better half Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: St Cloud, FL USA Posts: 2,278	I musta been drunk when I posted that, didn't even see I did the codes wrong. shesh i gotta wake up. __________________ Tang Police most wanted Outlaw. ORCA Founder Previous tanks, 125,120, 55,37,20, 15, 10, 5 Current Tank Info: 65 reef

08/08/2006, 02:49 PM	#13
funkyman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,811

08/08/2006, 02:59 PM	#14
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use it in that way: I have a 4" dsb, eggcrate down first, then rock, then sand. It stabilizes the rock so it won't roll or turn under pressure, it holds the sand in place, and it doesn't let a burrower cause a landslide. I have no areas of bare eggcrate [but all my flow is aimed at the opposite glass, so it will break up and randomize]. I'm quite happy with the arrangement and recommend it to anyone thinking of keeping burrowing 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%.