Eggcrate first then rocks and sand?

mwwhite · 03/18/2007, 05:44 AM

We are planning for a new 150 acrylic...

We had read putting eggcrate down first, then the rock, then the sand is ideal if we want to get a sand-sifter in addition to preventing scratches on the acrylic.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Icefire · 03/18/2007, 06:22 AM

yep

chris.hampton · 03/18/2007, 06:48 AM

That's what I am planing on doing!

New_Reefer_1 · 03/18/2007, 06:54 AM

I am assuming it to be a plastic eggcrate?? WHere can u get those?

Icefire · 03/18/2007, 07:07 AM

home depot

it's a 2x4' sheet of light diffuser.

mwwhite · 03/18/2007, 07:11 AM

Great thanks! We picked it up at Lowes yesterday HD only had one sheet.

We had a little bit of a time finding it though. It is over where flourescent lighting is. Yes it's plastic. 12.00 for a 2'x4' piece.

crumbletop · 03/18/2007, 07:20 AM

I'm not sure if this could be a problem or not, but I never used eggcrate on the bottom of the tank because it will keep organisms, etc from digging through the sand at the very bottom. I figured this would be a way that detritus could build up over time and not be effectively scavenged.

K9 · 03/18/2007, 07:23 AM

The smaller critters (pods, etc.) will be able to get in those little nooks and crannies without trouble. The sand won't be a "void area". It'll get discovered.

mwwhite · 03/18/2007, 07:24 AM

We were wondering the same thing. We did read that was the best way to do it though to prevent rockslides if a sandsifter is in the tank, as well as preventing scratches...

We are planning on 3 inches of live sand over it.

Would like to hear more opinions on this. Don't want to have any regrets for doing it later on.

Thanks!

crumbletop · 03/18/2007, 07:47 AM

I put the rock foundation on the glass and added sand around it to keep from having problems with rock slides.

mwwhite · 03/18/2007, 08:44 AM

Yup heard of that way too... Hubby was thinking he didn't want to do that directly on the acrylic though.

mwwhite · 03/18/2007, 08:07 PM

Anyone else please?

Young Frankenstein · 03/18/2007, 08:15 PM

Whats a sandhifter ?

Snowboarda42 · 03/18/2007, 08:21 PM

i have eggcrate but i dont think im going to use it because i want a pistolshrimp and a shrimp goby. I think that it would kinda keep them from digging a burrow...

03/18/2007, 05:44 AM	#1
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	Eggcrate first then rocks and sand? We are planning for a new 150 acrylic... We had read putting eggcrate down first, then the rock, then the sand is ideal if we want to get a sand-sifter in addition to preventing scratches on the acrylic. What do you think? Thanks!

03/18/2007, 06:22 AM	#2
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	yep __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

03/18/2007, 06:48 AM	#3
chris.hampton Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 490	That's what I am planing on doing! __________________ Imagine how deep the ocean would be if there wasn’t any sponges!! Current Tank Info: 95 (UK) gal 2 years old and 10 gal with bangi babies!!!

03/18/2007, 07:07 AM	#5
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	home depot it's a 2x4' sheet of light diffuser. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

03/18/2007, 07:20 AM	#7
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	I'm not sure if this could be a problem or not, but I never used eggcrate on the bottom of the tank because it will keep organisms, etc from digging through the sand at the very bottom. I figured this would be a way that detritus could build up over time and not be effectively scavenged. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

03/18/2007, 06:54 AM	#4
New_Reefer_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 166	I am assuming it to be a plastic eggcrate?? WHere can u get those?

03/18/2007, 07:11 AM	#6
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	Great thanks! We picked it up at Lowes yesterday HD only had one sheet. We had a little bit of a time finding it though. It is over where flourescent lighting is. Yes it's plastic. 12.00 for a 2'x4' piece.

03/18/2007, 07:23 AM	#8
K9 Go ahead, hop the fence. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,450	The smaller critters (pods, etc.) will be able to get in those little nooks and crannies without trouble. The sand won't be a "void area". It'll get discovered. __________________ Planning a big tank comeback for the year 20xx.

03/18/2007, 07:24 AM	#9
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	We were wondering the same thing. We did read that was the best way to do it though to prevent rockslides if a sandsifter is in the tank, as well as preventing scratches... We are planning on 3 inches of live sand over it. Would like to hear more opinions on this. Don't want to have any regrets for doing it later on. Thanks!

03/18/2007, 07:47 AM	#10
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	I put the rock foundation on the glass and added sand around it to keep from having problems with rock slides. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

03/18/2007, 08:44 AM	#11
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	Yup heard of that way too... Hubby was thinking he didn't want to do that directly on the acrylic though.

03/18/2007, 08:07 PM	#12
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	Anyone else please?

03/18/2007, 08:15 PM	#13
Young Frankenstein Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Florida. Posts: 3,842	Whats a sandhifter ?

03/18/2007, 08:21 PM	#14
Snowboarda42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 1,094	i have eggcrate but i dont think im going to use it because i want a pistolshrimp and a shrimp goby. I think that it would kinda keep them from digging a burrow... __________________ 40B Mixed Reef 100% Captive Grown Corals See, that's the trouble with the world today. Not enough danger to kill off stupid people before they get old enough to breed. Bring back lawn darts! -PrivateJoker64 Current Tank Info: 40B, 20L Sump/Fuge, Mag 9.5 Return, 2x Hydor Koralia #2's, 150W 14K HQI, 139W T-5, Euro-Reef RS-80P Mesh Modded, 40LB LR, 80LB LS, 54x Turnover, Mostly SPS, Some Softys Too.