dogofwar
CCA Members
It can't hurt...but It's not necessary.
Matt
Matt
Andrewtfw
Global Moderators
Egg crate is often used when setting up reef tanks to limit the scratches on the glass, while allowing for better water movement around the rocks.
If you use it, don't put gravel down through the rock. Use the gravel in front of the rock.
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If you use it, don't put gravel down through the rock. Use the gravel in front of the rock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
From reading various sources, there seems to be several suggested approaches.
1) Place plexiglass on bottom of tank and put everything on top of it.
2) Place thin Styrofoam on bottom of tank and put everything on top of it.
3) Place undergravel plate down, add couple inches of substrate, then egg-crate, then more substrate, then rocks.
So, the theory behind #1 and #2 is that due to digging by fish, and shifting of rocks etc, it is possible that all the combined weight of a number of rocks could end up pressing on a single grain of substrate and therefore transmit all the weight directly onto the point of the single grain and thereby crack the glass.
I do not know how much of an issue this is, I kept lots of tanks without putting anything on the bottom and never had a problem, but who knows?
#3, the egg crate, this is to prevent the fish from digging down to the undergravel filter plate and thereby eliminating the "even" flow-through of water through the substrate biological filter bed.
If you are using an undergravel filter then perhaps you should consider using the egg crate. However IMHO forget the UG filter and instead run a sponge or two in the tank. You will need less substrate and get better results.
1) Place plexiglass on bottom of tank and put everything on top of it.
2) Place thin Styrofoam on bottom of tank and put everything on top of it.
3) Place undergravel plate down, add couple inches of substrate, then egg-crate, then more substrate, then rocks.
So, the theory behind #1 and #2 is that due to digging by fish, and shifting of rocks etc, it is possible that all the combined weight of a number of rocks could end up pressing on a single grain of substrate and therefore transmit all the weight directly onto the point of the single grain and thereby crack the glass.
I do not know how much of an issue this is, I kept lots of tanks without putting anything on the bottom and never had a problem, but who knows?
#3, the egg crate, this is to prevent the fish from digging down to the undergravel filter plate and thereby eliminating the "even" flow-through of water through the substrate biological filter bed.
If you are using an undergravel filter then perhaps you should consider using the egg crate. However IMHO forget the UG filter and instead run a sponge or two in the tank. You will need less substrate and get better results.
tfoster7189
Members
When I set up my 220, I first placed the base rocks in the tank and then I added the sand. That way, there is virtually no chance of the rocks being undermined. Some of the rocks that I placed in my tank are rather large. I am guessing close to 50lbs each. I worked my way up with smaller rocks as I went along.
I used egg crate once in a reef aquarium that I had set up. It seemed like the fish always uncovered it. If I was going to use it, I would probably only add it under the rock themselves. Maybe make the egg crate a little smaller than the rocks, so if they do dig around the rocks, you won't be able to see it.
I used egg crate once in a reef aquarium that I had set up. It seemed like the fish always uncovered it. If I was going to use it, I would probably only add it under the rock themselves. Maybe make the egg crate a little smaller than the rocks, so if they do dig around the rocks, you won't be able to see it.
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
I've seen a lot of folks do it, but never have myself and never had any problems.
Just remember that you will at some point end up moving rocks (to clean the tank or to catch fish), so if you're concerned about the "single grain of sand" scenario (I'm not), then you should put something down. Eggcrate would be the best selection imo because it allows *some* movement of water through the substrate, as opposed to a solid base like foam or plexi.
Just remember that you will at some point end up moving rocks (to clean the tank or to catch fish), so if you're concerned about the "single grain of sand" scenario (I'm not), then you should put something down. Eggcrate would be the best selection imo because it allows *some* movement of water through the substrate, as opposed to a solid base like foam or plexi.
I use egg rate, it is certainly it necessary but I like it for a couple of reasons. First, it is bit of insurance if you drop something or it shifts or whatever. Second, I like building rock piles omit more than on glass. The little bit of texture that eggcrate gives you I find helps with building the bottom layer. The fish do dig it up a bit, but not so much that I find it noticeable, mostly it is uncovered in deep caves under rocks, which I can't really see anyway.
