eggcrate under liverock and substrate?

[Tazmaniancowboy]

Was reading over at Reef Central the other day and came across a guy that had a good point. Everybody suggests placing liverock directly on the glass bottom with no sand under it in fear of something burrowing under and causing a collapse. He was concerned about stacking pounds and pounds of rock on a baserock that may have a sharp point or high spot whatever you want to call it. this could amount to lots of pressure in one spot. I haven't heard of any bottoms that cracked due to this, but to me it is a valid possibility. no?

So anyway he places eggcrate flat on the whole bottom of the tank and being that he uses a deep sand bed there is still plenty of room for critters to roam and the bottom 1/2 inch is completely undisturbed. I actually like the idea. Is there any drawbacks or concerns about doing this?

Taz

 

[JRWOHLER]

I tossed out that idea before. There was some banter back and forth, I went with cutting boards though because I wasn't sure if eggcrate would stand up to 190lbs of sharp rock. I concure though the idea of putting rock directly on the glass scared me.

 

[onefish2fish]

i put eggcrate in my tank, not only to protect from a pressure point and scratches (even though that doesnt matter to me) but to add an extra buffer incase your rocks do decide to take a tumble.. i feel theres always that chance with a BB and i took the extra $11 ( from homedepot ) to re-assure i wouldnt wake up soaked & without a tank

 

[Baxreefs]

I placed the egg crate across the entire bottom to spread the weight of the rock and also give the rock something to hold it in place. I think it has done both things very well. I don't think there is any huge loss of mobility to the tiny critters at all, they can get through, under over the egg crate with no troubles I am sure. Bigger critters, like large bristle worms may have issue, but they'll resolve them and go another way.

I will say this, when I set up my next tank, I will trim the egg crate to be just a few inches larger than the pattern I plan for the rock. It will still serve all the intended purpose without being exposed in the open sand areas as easily. That is my only complaint about the eg crate covering the entire bottom.

One more thing. I used it in my fuge to support LR with NO SAND. There, it traps detritus and I have to clean it. So in the future, I'll rais it somehow, maybe PVC couples for legs, so I can clean below it easier,

 

[chaoscat]

If you just spaced it up off the bottom with pvc pipe and laid some screen material on top of it, you'd have a Jaubert Plenum.

 

[sean_nj]

If you just spaced it up off the bottom with pvc pipe and laid some screen material on top of it, you'd have a Jaubert Plenum.

It's not deep enough for the plenum to work. You also need a thick layer of sand on top of the mesh screen to make a plenum.

Sean