Acrylic Bottom

ucdcrew · 09/13/2013, 11:24 AM

Why do people use cutting boards instead of a sheet of acrylic for the bottom of the tank to disperse rock pressure?

UTCReefer · 09/13/2013, 12:27 PM

Cutting boards are less prone to cracking and can absorb a shock from a rock falling on it better than acrylic. However if you are using a thicker piece of acrylic like 3/8 or 1/2 I doubt that it matters. I'm interested in what others have to say too.

thegrun · 09/13/2013, 01:07 PM

I prefer to use egg crate (light diffuser). While egg crate does help distribute the weight of the rock, the big advantage of egg crate is that the cavities grab ahold of your rock and help prevent it from moving around from the pressure of shifting sand and the weight of rock stacked one upon another. The actual need to disperse the pressure of the rock is questionable IMHO, but the need to anchor down the rock to prevent future rock slides is very real.

ucdcrew · 09/13/2013, 01:59 PM

I have heard about the egg crate as well, but have been told it will turn into a nitrate factory since it cannot get sifted by organisms.

thegrun · 09/13/2013, 02:35 PM

I would disagree with that statement. Nearly all the sand dwelling organisms in our tanks can get into and clean a 1/2" square. I recently took down a 5 year old tank with egg crate at the bottom and the sand at the very bottom within the egg crate was no dirtier than the sand immediately above the egg crate. I've had egg crate in all my tanks for the past 7 years and have not had nitrate problems.

ucdcrew · 09/13/2013, 03:01 PM

That may be easier since I already have it....was going to make a top out of it but am going to build it out of screen inside because I want a bunch of wrasse (who like to jump)!

thegrun · 09/13/2013, 03:15 PM

Good, I'm not a big fan of using egg crate at the top for a cover, it blocks too much light and small and even medium sized fish still manage to jump through it.

09/13/2013, 11:24 AM	#1
ucdcrew Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 563	Acrylic Bottom Why do people use cutting boards instead of a sheet of acrylic for the bottom of the tank to disperse rock pressure? Last edited by ucdcrew; 09/13/2013 at 11:25 AM. Reason: Non-specific title

09/13/2013, 12:27 PM	#2
UTCReefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 652	Cutting boards are less prone to cracking and can absorb a shock from a rock falling on it better than acrylic. However if you are using a thicker piece of acrylic like 3/8 or 1/2 I doubt that it matters. I'm interested in what others have to say too.

09/13/2013, 01:07 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I prefer to use egg crate (light diffuser). While egg crate does help distribute the weight of the rock, the big advantage of egg crate is that the cavities grab ahold of your rock and help prevent it from moving around from the pressure of shifting sand and the weight of rock stacked one upon another. The actual need to disperse the pressure of the rock is questionable IMHO, but the need to anchor down the rock to prevent future rock slides is very real.

09/13/2013, 01:59 PM	#4
ucdcrew Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 563	I have heard about the egg crate as well, but have been told it will turn into a nitrate factory since it cannot get sifted by organisms.

09/13/2013, 02:35 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would disagree with that statement. Nearly all the sand dwelling organisms in our tanks can get into and clean a 1/2" square. I recently took down a 5 year old tank with egg crate at the bottom and the sand at the very bottom within the egg crate was no dirtier than the sand immediately above the egg crate. I've had egg crate in all my tanks for the past 7 years and have not had nitrate problems.

09/13/2013, 03:01 PM	#6
ucdcrew Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 563	That may be easier since I already have it....was going to make a top out of it but am going to build it out of screen inside because I want a bunch of wrasse (who like to jump)!

09/13/2013, 03:15 PM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Good, I'm not a big fan of using egg crate at the top for a cover, it blocks too much light and small and even medium sized fish still manage to jump through it.