LR and Sand setup questions with pic

smspring · 03/10/2008, 09:58 PM

I have setup my 75G with 75 lbs of dry rock (Eco Rox) from bulkreefsupply.com (25 shelf, 20 spaghetti, 30 Fiji) and 8 lbs of live rock from my LFS. This picture is two days old. I have two Koralia 3 pumps and a 20G DIY sump, with skimmer going. I know it will take longer to cycle with this setup, but I wanted to avoid the hitch hikers and was a little short on the cash.

Is it ok that I have put a lot of the rock directly on the bottom glass (I put some directly on PVC pipe)? I've read that some put down eggcrate first, then the rocks... and I just want to be sure it's not going to break the glass - the rock is sure heavy and pointed.

I wanted to add the sand after a few days so I can clean up the falloff/waste on the bottom easier.

Any thoughts or suggestions at this point is greatly appreciated.

Blown 346 · 03/10/2008, 10:09 PM

You wont break the glass, alot of people go complety bare, and have the rock right on the glass. Its the way you place and stack the rock so it doesnt topple over or fall which is the fun part.

Adding the sand is a perfect idea a few days later. I myslef would also swish the rock around or get a powerhead and blow the rock off and siphon all the junk out.

Your off to a good start, also, there is no pic.

smspring · 03/10/2008, 10:12 PM

Sorry! Here is the picture (hope this works)...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showp...p?photo=242553

Tswifty · 03/11/2008, 10:57 AM

I would not put the rock directly on the glass and stack it... Why set yourself up for a potential disaster... All it takes is a topple and a rock to hit at the right angle and "kapow"

If you're worried about the look of eggcrate... I have seen white "cutting board material" used on the bottom, which looks very nice and clean.

Whatever you decide I would recommend getting something under the rock.

Tswifty · 03/11/2008, 10:58 AM

Sorry forgot to add...

Very nice aquascape!

smspring · 03/11/2008, 02:30 PM

Thanks Tswifty... any idea where I could pick up some "white cutting board material"?

Anyone else have thoughts on placing rock directly on the bottom tempered glass? Anyone hear of the bottom breaking due to the live rock?

Here's the pic instead of needing to click the link (I'm still learning here...):

robojet · 03/11/2008, 02:38 PM

I vote for not putting the rock directly on the glass. I have a sand bed so that cushions the rock, but those sharp edges directly on the glass... I think I would need a little more assurance...

Blown 346 · 03/11/2008, 04:11 PM

Once sand is in the tank the rock on the glass wont shift or move.

demonsp · 03/11/2008, 04:16 PM

Looks good but i see a huge nitrate farm in the bottom back and center where your getting no flow. It will collect uneatin food ,waste and other debris and after time cause nitrate readings that water changes cant control and any reactor cant keep up with.

smspring · 03/11/2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by demonsp
Looks good but i see a huge nitrate farm in the bottom back and center where your getting no flow. It will collect uneatin food ,waste and other debris and after time cause nitrate readings that water changes cant control and any reactor cant keep up with.

I have seen that too. I plan on putting in a powerhead to shoot there. The benefit of not having sand in yet is I can clearly see where I do need more flow along the bottom. Right now I'm just cycling the rock... will adjust the flow and pumps before I add the sand.

I have some 9 x 12 x 1/4 in. plexi glass sheets left over from my DIY sump that I think I'll place beneath each bottom rock, just to be extra careful.

Tswifty · 03/11/2008, 05:15 PM

Here's a link to a 90g BB tank... I think it's the 6th picture from the top. If you're interested in it I would recommending PM'ing Xenon to ask where it was purchased... because I am not sure.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1039600

03/10/2008, 09:58 PM	#1
smspring Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 356	LR and Sand setup questions with pic I have setup my 75G with 75 lbs of dry rock (Eco Rox) from bulkreefsupply.com (25 shelf, 20 spaghetti, 30 Fiji) and 8 lbs of live rock from my LFS. This picture is two days old. I have two Koralia 3 pumps and a 20G DIY sump, with skimmer going. I know it will take longer to cycle with this setup, but I wanted to avoid the hitch hikers and was a little short on the cash. Is it ok that I have put a lot of the rock directly on the bottom glass (I put some directly on PVC pipe)? I've read that some put down eggcrate first, then the rocks... and I just want to be sure it's not going to break the glass - the rock is sure heavy and pointed. I wanted to add the sand after a few days so I can clean up the falloff/waste on the bottom easier. Any thoughts or suggestions at this point is greatly appreciated.

03/11/2008, 10:57 AM	#4
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	I would not put the rock directly on the glass and stack it... Why set yourself up for a potential disaster... All it takes is a topple and a rock to hit at the right angle and "kapow" If you're worried about the look of eggcrate... I have seen white "cutting board material" used on the bottom, which looks very nice and clean. Whatever you decide I would recommend getting something under the rock. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

03/11/2008, 10:58 AM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Sorry forgot to add... Very nice aquascape! __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

03/11/2008, 02:38 PM	#7
robojet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,222	I vote for not putting the rock directly on the glass. I have a sand bed so that cushions the rock, but those sharp edges directly on the glass... I think I would need a little more assurance... __________________ Member: SCMAS Current Tank Info: 90g LeeMar with Starphire front, coast-to-coast overflow, Vortechs, ATB 840 v1.5

03/11/2008, 05:15 PM	#11
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Here's a link to a 90g BB tank... I think it's the 6th picture from the top. If you're interested in it I would recommending PM'ing Xenon to ask where it was purchased... because I am not sure. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1039600 __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

03/10/2008, 10:09 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	You wont break the glass, alot of people go complety bare, and have the rock right on the glass. Its the way you place and stack the rock so it doesnt topple over or fall which is the fun part. Adding the sand is a perfect idea a few days later. I myslef would also swish the rock around or get a powerhead and blow the rock off and siphon all the junk out. Your off to a good start, also, there is no pic.

03/10/2008, 10:12 PM	#3
smspring Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 356	Sorry! Here is the picture (hope this works)... http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showp...p?photo=242553

03/11/2008, 02:30 PM	#6
smspring Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 356	Thanks Tswifty... any idea where I could pick up some "white cutting board material"? Anyone else have thoughts on placing rock directly on the bottom tempered glass? Anyone hear of the bottom breaking due to the live rock? Here's the pic instead of needing to click the link (I'm still learning here...):

03/11/2008, 04:11 PM	#8
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Once sand is in the tank the rock on the glass wont shift or move.

03/11/2008, 04:16 PM	#9
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Looks good but i see a huge nitrate farm in the bottom back and center where your getting no flow. It will collect uneatin food ,waste and other debris and after time cause nitrate readings that water changes cant control and any reactor cant keep up with.