Should I put anything under my Live Rock?

hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
I've finally got my 180. The rock is cured and ready to go in, but I'm not sure if I should put anything down first before laying it on the glass. I've heard of people putting things down first to prevent any pressure points on the tank and to help stabilize the rock. thanks -dave
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Since you have a nice big tank this is what I would do make some stands out of pvc(like little tables) so you can put your rocks on as a base it serves two purposes you can cut the pvc so its just under your sand or CC so no critters can undermine your rock also it will distribute the weight of your rocks if you tank is not filled yet make the pvc tables put them in your tank and ball up some news paper about the size of your rocks so you can play around with the different looks until you get one your like then just go with the real thing ( 180 lucky you)
 
reefmate75

reefmate75

Member
i would put down 4 layers of eggcrate, leave it back away from the front glass 2-3 inchs, all the way to the back, and 2-3" from the sides and then fill with CC or LS, i would probly fill the egg crate with what ever you can find cheaply and cover about another 1-2" with live sand
 
stangbabe1993

stangbabe1993

Member
I have a question. I'm getting a 215 gal starfire tank in a couple of weeks its been ordered, If you put the egg crate on the bottom and fill with sand how do the critters get in there to clean the sand? or does that not matter
 
jshepherd

jshepherd

Member
Originally Posted by stangbabe1993
http:///forum/post/2516863
I have a question. I'm getting a 215 gal starfire tank in a couple of weeks its been ordered, If you put the egg crate on the bottom and fill with sand how do the critters get in there to clean the sand? or does that not matter
That is exactly what I want to know.I have a 150 and I was going to silicone in a layer of .180" plexiglass on the bottom but also pickup up some egg crate and also some white prizm acrylic(used under lights the same as egg crate) I am so confused I cant decide which one and my water is about ready to put in.
 
candycane

candycane

Active Member
I hate to go against some of this. Egg crate CAN, not always will and most of the time doesn't - create dead spots of water under the rock. This can create sulphur pockets that after years MIGHT be released. It is the same thing with sand. If you crush it under your rock, it usually turns that sand black with time due to the same reason.
I have always used a piece of styrofoam under the tank glass (between the bottom of the tank and the stand) as a shock absorber. So long as it is thin enough that you can barely tell it's there.
 
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