Getting back in after 10+ years. Eggcrate for rocks?

[Brewers best]

I have been out of the hobby for over 10 years. Moving around the country isn’t conducive to saltwater. My 4 y/o discovered Nemo, so that helped convince the wife it was time to dive back in. I am almost ready to go but a question is lingering. Eggcrate for rocks or not? I have aquascaped and epoxied the rocks already. I don’t want to go bare bottomed. Tank is a 54 gallon corner, not ideal but works in our house.

 

[ahiggins]

One of the coolest things I’ve come across is the cut rocks from brs/Marco. They look like they’re emerging from the sand. Super cool but if you already have your stuff together then that won’t work. How big is your rock structure?

 

[BighohoReef]

Having trouble picturing what you're talking about. Can you send a pic? Looking for the BRS video as well

 

[Brewers best]

Here is the set up. My island rock is currently stacked son the others. Was getting ready to add sand tonight or tomorrow. I know some say it is a nutrient trap. Just wanted others opinions.

 

[Brewers best]

Thanks watched the video. Wanted to still get some opinions.

 

[RocketEngineer]

That should be fine. Just make sure to clean a small area of the sand every time you do a water change and you won’t have crud collecting anywhere.

 

[Homebrewer]

So my question is, what’s the benefit? You shouldn’t need it to protect the tempered glass bottom, though i suppose it may stabilize the base rock. Is that the idea?

I don’t run a deep enough sand bed to guarantee coverage of that, and I like to turn-over my bed with a siphon tube when doing water changes. For me, I could see detritus building in the squares over time and becoming a problem, potentially.

Maybe I’m wrong and others favor this technique. I voted “no” but I’m following closely for other opinions.

 

[RocketEngineer]

Stabilizing the rock work and protecting the bottom glass from point loads are the main reasons to use it. Nothing says you have to cover the entire bottom. I’ve seen where only small squares are used instead of full sheets. It’s a matter of preference.

 

[SandJ]

I will be using the 2/$1 plastic cutting mats from Dollar Tree under my rock work. They are very thin plastic, but durable enough to withstand the rocks and protect the glass.

https://www.dollartree.com/flexible-chopping-mats-11x14in/145661

 

[Homebrewer]

Stabilizing the rock work and protecting the bottom glass from point loads are the main reasons to use it. Nothing says you have to cover the entire bottom. I’ve seen where only small squares are used instead of full sheets. It’s a matter of preference.

I can understand small sections for the purpose of stability, but if setting rock on a tempered glass bottom was a significant issue, a lot of tanks would fail by hundreds of pounds of water, rock, and sand crashing through the bottom. Tanks fail for sure, but if that were a real threat then everyone would do this, it would be ubiquitous in the hobby.

To me, the potential benefits don’t outweigh the possibility of the crate under the sand becoming a sink for what can build-up in those squares.