NRehman January 19, 2007 January 19, 2007 Hi all, Any thoughts on the pros and cons of using eggcrate as the base upon which to place sand and live rock for a new tank? Any suggestions. Thanks.
keeperofthefish January 19, 2007 January 19, 2007 It can provide a more stable base (rock can settle on it) and it protects the bottom pane of glass from breakage in the event of a collapse. People are starting to use Starboard instead--especially in bare bottom tanks. I think it's a good idea, depending on how you are planning to build your rockscape. That said, I didn't use it.
howser January 19, 2007 January 19, 2007 I think if I could do it again (oh wait -- I am!), I'd like to do it because it doesn't take much effort and it does provide another layer of protection. Let me know what you decide to do, I'm interested in how it turns out.
tygger January 19, 2007 January 19, 2007 When I was first setting up my tank, I had already cut out egg crate to do this but decided not to due to the overwhelming responses from RC. Pretty much... if you have a sand bed combined with the water in the tank, it would provide enough cushion to slow the rock and absorb the impact. Putting it on the bottom could prevent critters from freely moving about the bed. Plus, most bottoms are tempered anyways. I'd be more worried about the side panels.
davelin315 January 19, 2007 January 19, 2007 It also keeps fish from digging beneath a certain level and so keeps a DSB more static at the level you want it to be static at.
TROLL January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 I put eggcrates on bottom of my 55g back in 2000, doesn't have any kind of impacts except it help with stablize the live rock structure plus reduce the pressure and impacts from rock aganist the glass bottom. Especially when you have rock slide, by urchin, large turbo snails, etc.
BeltwayBandit January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 I've had eggcrate at the bottom of mine and under sand for 4 years. I don't know that it is necessarily helpful or harmful.
howser January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 Guys -- where's a good place to buy the eggcrate? HD/Lowes? Or is it a LFS? Just wondering....I haven't actually "looked" for any yet and wanted to optimize my search
BeltwayBandit January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 Home Depot/lowes carries it. But don't ask for egg crate. Go to the lighting section and look for light diffusers for fluorescent lighting.
howser January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 Home Depot/lowes carries it. But don't ask for egg crate. Go to the lighting section and look for light diffusers for fluorescent lighting. Ah, the secret language of the illuminated....(pun certainly intended) Thanks!
NRehman January 20, 2007 Author January 20, 2007 (edited) Beltway must be one of the illuminati! Thanks for all the feedback. Here's my take on why I asked the question: 1. Some of my live rock has points and sharp edges. These normally end up pointing down - because it just turns out that the rock looks good in that position! The problem, from my RC readings are that it is relatively easy to scratch tempered glass with those sometimes "oops" moments. Although tempered glass is much stronger than the somewhat boyant under water rocks, the problem might arise when the tempered glass is scratched or grooved. That is how the tempered glass is cut or broken. Now, I haven't heard of any glass base break, has anyone else? 2. The darn glass tends to allow the rocks to move around and I would like to have the rocks kind of stay put once place! (Sit Fido staaayy)! SO, I think I (want to ) like Trolls comments. 3. Dave, I like the bit about maintaining a more static DSB. I am not planning on 8", but 2-3" or so. 4. Tygger, I understand your point, but when I check, it's mostly worms who I see might be crawling around. I figure that all is not perfect in the sea so they probably adapt. So, so far I am leaning towards using the egg crate. I think I'll get the nice shiny metalic finish...it'll look so cool from below (just kidding people)! Any other info on pros and cons will be great. Howser, that's funny that you are working on a 72bow, I have a svelte and complete setup with hallides/cf actinics, tidepool sump, etc. which I am going to be putting up for sale as I work towards getting the larger tank setup! Edited January 20, 2007 by NRehman
howser January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 Howser, that's funny that you are working on a 72bow, I have a svelte and complete setup with hallides/cf actinics, tidepool sump, etc. which I am going to be putting up for sale as I work towards getting the larger tank setup! Shoot, oh well, I just don't have the patience to wait! But I know lots of people who will be interested!
emissary January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 3. Dave, I like the bit about maintaining a more static DSB. I am not planning on 8", but 2-3" or so. Please be advised this is NOT a DSB. This is sand at the bottom of your tank. There have been arguments that this depth adds no benefits while creating certain dangers (I was reading ... Borneman or Calfo I believe).
dandy7200 January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 This is what is below the SSB in my tank. HDPE cutting boards ie; starboard. Then put your small rocks down then fill in a little sand then build your rock structure on the small rocks. Stable, safe, clean. JMO
keeperofthefish January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 What emissary said is correct. You need at least 3.5" for a functioning DSB with oolitic grain sand. You can go shallower if you employ a Jaubert-style system with a wasting plenum. I cannot recommend highly enough volume 3 of the Reef Aquarium by Delbeek and Sprung. It has a great discussion of sand for filtration. I ended up going with just an inch of sand because I like the look of sand. But this does collect detritus and I have to vaccuum it out frequently and will probably have to add new sand soon. Regards, Sam
NRehman January 20, 2007 Author January 20, 2007 Dan, I'd like to check out starboard. Could you let me know where it is available? (locally?). Sam, I don't have that book (the volumes are on my "list"). But I'll read up some more. Thanks.
davelin315 January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 I think the key with the egg crating is that you suspend it above the bottom of the tank whereas the starboard is on the bottom of the tank. Since the egg crate is full of holes, it doesn't impede water or critters from going through to the bottom, only things that are too large to get through it.
davelin315 January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 Has anyone's tank crack on the bottom due to a rock slide? Don't respond to this if you're superstitious...
howser January 20, 2007 January 20, 2007 Don't respond to this if you're superstitious... Let's just say that if I do, I can' tell. It's under the sand and I'm not looking up from the bottom just cause it scares me I've been good so far, knock on wood
YBeNormal January 21, 2007 January 21, 2007 Don't respond to this if you're superstitious... FYI: It's unlucky to be superstitious.
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