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02/06/2018, 01:50 AM | #1 |
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Egg crate under rock
Do I really need egg create under my rock structures if it is stable on the glass bottom?
I will be getting a Coris Wrasse in the near future and was worried about sharp edges and corners on the egg crate when the wrasse decides to take a nose dive into the sand. Any advice? Thank you. |
02/06/2018, 05:42 AM | #2 |
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No you absolutely do not need it..
It serves no real purpose at all..
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02/06/2018, 05:49 AM | #3 |
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^ Yup - I don't have any under mine. No issues at all.
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90g Mixed Reef |
02/06/2018, 06:40 AM | #4 |
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Ive never used it.
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02/06/2018, 07:19 AM | #5 |
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I used it on my Eel's tank just to protect the bottom from rockfalls, but at nearly 4', he could easily move even the larger rocks in the system. I ended up having rock only on the bottom - nothing stacked at all.
For all my other tanks over the years I've never bothered with it. Many swear by it, but at least IMO, if you build your structures soundly there really is not reason for it.
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I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer |
02/06/2018, 09:11 AM | #6 |
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I use PVC rings I cut to fit under points of the rock. It takes up less space then the eggcrate and if you really want the rock to sit a certain way you can cut it thinner or thicker.
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02/06/2018, 04:35 PM | #7 |
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Don’t use it. I did on my last tank and had issues with detritus build up and high nitrate. My new tank I went with abs plastic. Some folks use star board available in some Home Depot. Abs is used by quit a few builders in their composite tank bottoms
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Deep Reef ~Greg~ 150g DT, (2)AI Hydra 52 HD's, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, jebao 1200DC main pump, Trigger Systems Sapphire 34 sump, (2) Ecotech WP40wQD, Tunze ATO, Apex Current Tank Info: 150g Reef |
02/07/2018, 05:02 AM | #8 |
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02/07/2018, 10:34 AM | #9 |
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Never used egg crate. I built the base with those two foot long, two inch diameter coral branch pieces from Florida. The rocks sit nicely on this frame. Love my Coris
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02/07/2018, 10:17 PM | #10 |
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I've used eggcrate and also not used it. No difference IMO as far as health of reef tank but it did save my a$$ one time when I was aquascaping and dropped a 40 lb rock.
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210 gal reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 Gal sump mixed reef 100 gal Reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 gal sump. SPS/LPS & 100 gal Japanese Dragon Moray eel tank with 40 gal sump 75 gal Brazilian Dragon Mor |
02/07/2018, 10:34 PM | #11 |
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I like to use it just because it seems to give the rock points something to bite into, may not be a problem after you add sand but helps rock from sliding around when starting to aquascpe.
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02/08/2018, 08:22 PM | #12 |
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I didn’t on the first. On my current tank I used it. I have two columns of rock from the bottom to the top of the tank,a 4 foot 120. I just wanted some extra anchoring for the columns.
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02/09/2018, 09:24 PM | #13 |
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I use it in my big tank. More for my own good. Trying to re-aquascape a 42" deep tank is tough at times. With the egg crate it seems to hold the rock structure better for me. In my smaller tank where I can reach the bottom.of the tank I do not have egg crate however. Either way seems to work just as well. I do find myself working with the rocks iny small tank more than the big tank...not sure if it's the egg crate or it just being easier in the smaller tank.
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02/10/2018, 09:18 AM | #14 |
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I didn’t put it on the bottom of my old 55g.
The bottom broke after 8 months. Water everywhere.
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Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump |
02/12/2018, 08:36 AM | #15 |
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I used egg crate 2 yrs ago, now wanting to go bb, wish I would have never put it in
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02/12/2018, 11:10 AM | #16 |
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I had it in my 1st tank and not in my 2nd. I notice no difference and I am not worried about falling rock.
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02/12/2018, 09:00 PM | #17 |
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I use it on all my tanks (with sand) to help anchor the rocks in place. I suppose it helps protect the bottom of the tank but the main reason I use it is to keep rocks from moving around due to the pressure exerted from shifting sand and the rocks piled on top of the base rocks. I've taken down two tanks that were over 5 years old and the sand was just as clean between the egg crate as above it. I don't buy into the "it traps detritus" myth at all.
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02/12/2018, 11:42 PM | #18 |
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I use a piece of acrylic and it doesn't bother my wrasse at all.
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02/16/2018, 07:16 AM | #19 |
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I’ve used both eggcrate and pvc. Neither is needed
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02/16/2018, 11:20 AM | #20 |
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Careful if you do they sharp!!
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