Grate under rock, or not...

[azbigjohn]

Getting ready to put rock in the tank. I plan on cementing the rock together (previously I have been a "rock-stacker" but am going for stable). I do plan on having a shallow bed of aragonite sand as well, probably going from 1/2' - 2" in places.

I have always heard it was best to put light diffuser under the rock to stabilize the rock and prevent critters digging the sand out from under your rocks. Just curious what the prevailing logic on that subject is now...

My plan was put diffuser on the bottom of the tank, build my rock structures on the light diffuser, the add my (well-rinsed) aragonite sand.

I do have a Yellow Watchman goby, and will probably add a diamond goby eventually... Will the light diffuser risk injury if they are digging in the sand?

Or, since I am cementing all of the rock, is placing it directly on the glass bottom better?

 

[Garrett W.]

Following for opinions

 

[azbigjohn]

Bump for the evening folks...

 

[Rick.45cal]

Everybody does it different. I'm a put the rock directly on the glass kind of guy, then dump the sand around them. I personally think using the eggcrate light diffuser in that role is just going to be a hassle for when you are maintaining your sand bed. (Maybe you don't mess with the sandbed so it would be a non issue). I think it really comes down to you.

In my tank it would constantly be exposed by the sand migrating, and I would hate it and regret it quickly. Especially when I got tired of trying to rake sand back over it. (It's much easier to rake sand over a smooth glass bottom). I'm not a DSB guy though either, I've gone that route and it wasn't too my liking. Like I said it really depends on what suits your needs best.

 

[Cary Meredith]

I did pvc rock lifts and love them

 

[azbigjohn]

I did pvc rock lifts and love them

Do you mean a frame you built, and then drilled hole in the rock to slide on, or something else?

 

[azbigjohn]

Everybody does it different. I'm a put the rock directly on the glass kind of guy, then dump the sand around them. I personally think using the eggcrate light diffuser in that role is just going to be a hassle for when you are maintaining your sand bed. (Maybe you don't mess with the sandbed so it would be a non issue). I think it really comes down to you.

In my tank it would constantly be exposed by the sand migrating, and I would hate it and regret it quickly. Especially when I got tired of trying to rake sand back over it. (It's much easier to rake sand over a smooth glass bottom). I'm not a DSB guy though either, I've gone that route and it wasn't too my liking. Like I said it really depends on what suits your needs best.

Therein is my decision... I'm leaning towards doing that (rock on glass, sand around) just wondering the benefits of using the eggcrate/diffuser stuff (if there is a benefit).

 

[Cary Meredith]

Do you mean a frame you built, and then drilled hole in the rock to slide on, or something else?

I'm trying to find the pictures, makes me realize I need t o reorganize my pics.

 

[sundog101]

I used eggcrate for my tank. It does make the rockwork more stable in my opinion. The the only downside is that I was planning on getting a yellow coris wrasse, but I'm worried about him getting injured diving into the sand. I would think a goby would be fine though.

I think either way would be fine.

Also I've heard of people using a thin sheet of acrylic if you worried about weight distribution.

 

[AdamNC]

I use it but if you plan on getting a wrasse, don't use it.

 

[sundog101]

I use it but if you plan on getting a wrasse, don't use it.

I really want a wrasse...but not bad enough to tear down the tank haha

 

[Cary Meredith]

I made some pvc rock lifts to set the rock on then put in the sand, this way if I needed to I could vacuum out the sand without removing all the rocks and corals. I driller large holes in the pvc so there was no pockets. Here is a picture of them not painted as well as after I painted them. Couple of pictures of some of them in the tank.

 

[azbigjohn]

I made some pvc rock lifts to set the rock on then put in the sand, this way if I needed to I could vacuum out the sand without removing all the rocks and corals. I driller large holes in the pvc so there was no pockets. Here is a picture of them not painted as well as after I painted them. Couple of pictures of some of them in the tank.

Okay, now I understand. Great idea...