Base rocks on pvc?

debbie g

debbie g

Member
Hi all...
I have decided to go with a deep sand bed (6 inches in some spots) to accomodate jawfish. My question is...
Is it a good idea to maybe glue some pieces of pvc to the bottom of the tank and stack the rocks on top of that? I was thinking that that would give the sand stirring critters another place to go and maybe not leave a dead spot under the rocks.
Any advice on whether this is a good idea or a waste of time?
Thanks!
Debbie G
 
debbie g

debbie g

Member
Yes, just enough so critters can get under there and maybe I can even hide a powerhead tube under there and have it blowing on the rocks from underneath? Sounds rational, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.
Debbie G
 
stillfrodo

stillfrodo

Member
Go to home depot. Buy yourself some egg crate. its the plastic shield that goes over flourescent lights. Buy yourself some of that and cut it to the dimensions of your tank. Then put your deep sand bed on top. This wzy if any burrowing critters get under your rocks and they displace. Doesn't damage bottom of tank.
 
vyperone

vyperone

Member
The idea of using pvc pipe to make stand offs for your rocks is a good one. Its actually a common idea. The premise being that the rocks will stay put, not sink into the sand, especially with such a deep sand bed. Of course I have also read some opinion ( key word, "opinion" ) that the pvc will trap unwanted bacteria and may cause problems. All in all though its a good idea.
Cut the pvc to the length the same size as the depth of your sand bed or a little less. Place key pieces of rock on it, place sand around pvc. I don't really see the need glue down the pvc.
 
benj2112

benj2112

Member
I would also drill holes into the PVC frame to make it easier to place in the water and so it is open to the system as well. Don't be afraid to use it to raise your system higher and make caves and such. I did that and with clever placement you never even know it is there.
 
hookedonreefs

hookedonreefs

Member
I'm sensing two separate ideas here. One being an actual frame of PVC that is sunken into the sand bed. The other being a system of PVC pillars that the rock is open on (similar to a raised boardwalk at the shore - or at the beach if you're not from NJ)
I can attest to the success with the pillar system. It works very well. I have all my mini pillars abour 1/2 inch taller than the sandbed. In some areas the sand has drifted up against the rocks. In others it's where I made it still. It all looks good and provides the ability for current to get under the rocks just enough.
I say go for it. If you're considering the frame version, I can't comment as I've never done it.
 
debbie g

debbie g

Member
Wow, excellent suggestions!
Thank you so much. Now if only they'd finish building my
house so I can get this tank started! :)
Does anyone foresee any prob with the tube for circulation blowing sort of up through the rocks though?
Debbie G
 
hookedonreefs

hookedonreefs

Member
If you want to do that, then it seems you're going with the frame idea. Me personally, I would do the egg crate thing in the sand and build a frame out of PVC that the rocks can go on. This will allow you to build a strong/high wall of rock. Do the circulation thing with this setup, and yeah it would be real cool.
The only bad thing I've seen with this type of setup, is a worm of some sort in one person's setup that got into the frame and kept growing. I think it ended up being like 2-3 feet long.:scared:
That's just nasty!
GL
 
debbie g

debbie g

Member
Ha ha! That is truly a turn off! I suppose I'll just have some faith that the worm story was a rarity and still go with the pvc :)
(But I'll still do some research on what critter I can put in there that can eat a 2-3 foot long worm) :thinking:
Thanks so much for the input!
Debbie G
 
benj2112

benj2112

Member
Well I have an OK pic. It is a whole tank shot and you can kind of see the "caves" and holes. I used PVC to make and raise the middle section. It was a favorite area to hide for some Pajama Cardinals I used to have.
The cave on the left is just made from a gap in rocks. It is my Firefish's sleeping hole.
The large and open cave on the right is just from having 3 really cool shaped larger rocks that fit well together.
 
benj2112

benj2112

Member
My rocks on the left, right and the ones that hide the PVC pipe rest on the glass. I didn't know about this site at the time I started and so just followed the instructions of a book I had to build and start my tank. Good basic info, but I really wish I had come across this site back then.
The sand is 3" deep.
I hope my pic doesn't dissapoint.
 
debbie g

debbie g

Member
Not at all, benj2112! Thats a great tank, and I can't see the pvc at all! Of course seeing it and doing it will be two different things but I'll use your pic for a guideline. I was just surfing to see about some really large "show" live rock so the rocks could just create the caves like you did on some of yours but man, is that stuff expensive. I've still got a month till I move so it just gives me more time to research. Thank you so much. You've been a lot of help.
Debbie G:)
 
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