Egg crate purpose

[quigimon]

So I've been looking around a bit on the forum for information about use of egg crate and see quite a few people using it at the bottom of the sand bed mostly for what I assume is for a stand off for live rock but it struck me that in that its usage it may serve a dual purpose, that being the ability to inhibit sand disturbances. I've read up on deep sand beds and it seems to reason that you should be able to use less sand with egg crate but still achieve the same result since the wells of the egg crate would keep pockets of sand nestled in the wells and free from most forms of disturbance allowing for the anaerobic bacteria to form and perform their processes and also keep from releasing toxic chemicals bound in the deeper bed of sand from moving rocks around. Has me contemplating trying it out.

 

[gmoney243]

Long term use of dsb's is suppose to eventuall cause problems. I would research this more before trying just so u know what to expect. I think eggcrate sells more to aquarist than for its actual purpose lol

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[Rob.D]

I used eggcrate to stabilize my rock structure. I now regret using it because I want to go bare bottom.

 

[pelagic]

There are many other ways to export waste in the water now days. Deep sand bed is really old fasion now.

 

[quigimon]

Wasn't looking at it for nutrient export purposes, more or less contemplation of multiple effects intended and unintendid.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

For what I read a deep sand bed works best on a remote location like a sump and all the water that goes to it should pass trough the skimmer and filter socks so that no detritus gets on the sand.

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[Bishop]

So I've been looking around a bit on the forum for information about use of egg crate and see quite a few people using it at the bottom of the sand bed mostly for what I assume is for a stand off for live rock but it struck me that in that its usage it may serve a dual purpose, that being the ability to inhibit sand disturbances. I've read up on deep sand beds and it seems to reason that you should be able to use less sand with egg crate but still achieve the same result since the wells of the egg crate would keep pockets of sand nestled in the wells and free from most forms of disturbance allowing for the anaerobic bacteria to form and perform their processes and also keep from releasing toxic chemicals bound in the deeper bed of sand from moving rocks around. Has me contemplating trying it out.

I'll replace your ignorance with knowledge and give the the run down on a Deep Sand Bed by pointing you to the best description and explanation article I have ever found for one.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1652103&highlight=dsb

The point of the Deep sand bed is not to create undisturbed sand but to create a sand bed deep enough that oxygen cannot penetrate. It is always good practice to still clean your sand bed. Just small areas at a time though. Everything you need to know will be in the link.

Just a side note. You gotta check this out. I have skimmate without the use of any pumps or airstones. I guess the advantage to being a god is having the ability to create.

 

[solar]

I'll replace your ignorance with knowledge and give the the run down on a Deep Sand Bed by pointing you to the best description and explanation article I have ever found for one.

Deep Sand Bed -- Anatomy & Terminology - Reef Central Online Community

The point of the Deep sand bed is not to create undisturbed sand but to create a sand bed deep enough that oxygen cannot penetrate. It is always good practice to still clean your sand bed. Just small areas at a time though. Everything you need to know will be in the link.

Just a side note. You gotta check this out. I have skimmate without the use of any pumps or airstones. I guess the advantage to being a god is having the ability to create.

lol last time I checked ignorance was bliss
Why are you so rude in your posting thought?

 

[quigimon]

Lol man all I was saying was that the wells in the egg crate holding the sand would be undisturbed and in such a state would have chance for oxygenation greatly reduced therefore possibly having to some degree the effect of a DSB without actually having 4+ inches of sand where the last inch or so wouldn't be disturbed giving the anaerobic bacteria a chance to develop, is it a good idea, I don't know I first heard about DSB from you anyways(bishop). The intent of the post was to generate thought on the potential unintended effect of egg crate in substrate. P.S. when are you gonna let me see your tank dude!

 

[Bishop]

As for the egg crate bottom. It's not a good idea. One main purpose is to reduce weight on the glass at the center of the tank. Trapping sand into little squares is gonna be more detrimental than beneficial. Some people get on an egg crate binge and start putting in everywhere. In all reality, unless the live rock you are using is made of diamond, there is no point to it. Some people might argue with that but then again some people think that 8-tracks were actually a high quality media.

 

[quigimon]

I could see where it can be of benefit for rearranging your scape to minimize sediment disturbance but then again a water change after something like that would probably be more beneficial.

 

[quigimon]

lol last time I checked ignorance was bliss
Why are you so rude in your posting thought?

That's him being cordial. LOL

 

[Bishop]

lol last time I checked ignorance was bliss
Why are you so rude in your posting thought?

Ignorance is indeed bliss. I'm not rude, some people just choose to read it that way. By the way If you still wanna meet tomorrow for the xenia let me know.

 

[quigimon]

Bishop, how did you manage to get that going?

 

[solar]

Ignorance is indeed bliss. I'm not rude, some people just choose to read it that way. By the way If you still wanna meet tomorrow for the xenia let me know.

Won't have the gas till this weekend and i work all day everyday this weekend!

 

[Bishop]

I could see where it can be of benefit for rearranging your scape to minimize sediment disturbance but then again a water change after something like that would probably be more beneficial.

You actually want to maximize sediment disturbance. This is one of the reason you use sand instead of gravel. Gravel will trap poo and doo where with sand the doo sits on the top allowing the water current to lift it to the filter (if you use a filter). Much in the same way that the reason you have nassarius snails is to help keep the sand moving. One of the things you don't want is dead spots in your water where this poo will just settle and collect. Like I said, the DSB is not about a lack of disturbance. It's about seperating it from the oxygen. Just like if I hold a small pillow over your face and you have a hard time breathing but if I hold a large pillow... It does not matter if the pillow is moving or not.

 

[Bishop]

Won't have the gas till this weekend and i work all day everyday this weekend!

That's cool you have my number right? Just let me know sometime. It's not going anywhere and if it does, I have loads more.

 

[Bishop]

Bishop, how did you manage to get that going?

get what going?

 

[quigimon]

You actually want to maximize sediment disturbance. This is one of the reason you use sand instead of gravel. Gravel will trap poo and doo where with sand the doo sits on the top allowing the water current to lift it to the filter (if you use a filter). Much in the same way that the reason you have nassarius snails is to help keep the sand moving. One of the things you don't want is dead spots in your water where this poo will just settle and collect. Like I said, the DSB is not about a lack of disturbance. It's about seperating it from the oxygen. Just like if I hold a small pillow over your face and you have a hard time breathing but if I hold a large pillow... It does not matter if the pillow is moving or not.

And one way to create that effect is reduction in sand disturbance, either way the tank, yours, is it done? How's that going?

 

[quigimon]

get what going?

The bubbly-doohickey.