To use or not to use Egg Crate?

[Beausoleiljacob]

Hey Fellow Reefers,
I'm not quite sure what I want to do and need someone else's opinion. I have a 60 gallon Rimless Cube made by Marineland. All of the glass is NOT tempered. Anyways, I'm not sure whether or not I should use egg crate or not use egg crate? If so, should I add the whole tanks foot print, or just under the rock structurse. How do I secure the rock if I just use the egg crate right under the rock? Thanks!

 

[bevo5]

I put squares that were slightly larger that the main base rocks. This gives me the support and stability without putting crate down everywhere which I think leads to issues long term. Plus it would be a never ending battle to hide it every time a fish digs etc.

 

[Ebone]

I put squares that were slightly larger that the main base rocks. This gives me the support and stability without putting crate down everywhere which I think leads to issues long term. Plus it would be a never ending battle to hide it every time a fish digs etc.

what he said.... especially if adding pistol shrimp or anything that digs

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

I put squares that were slightly larger that the main base rocks. This gives me the support and stability without putting crate down everywhere which I think leads to issues long term. Plus it would be a never ending battle to hide it every time a fish digs etc.

How would you recommend securing the egg crate to the tank? Will the egg crate move any, or will the weight of the rock secure it?

 

[Ebone]

weight of rock holds in place .... sand helps too

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

One last question. Is a 3/8 inch rubber mat okay to use under the tank ontop of the stand? I guess I lied I have one more. How long can my live rock stay out of water so I can aquascape it?

 

[Ebone]

someone else will have to answer about rubber mat mine sits straight on top of my stand.... i took my live rock in and out a million times before getting it right... was out for a few minutes a few few times... any longer and it went in a bucket

 

[bevo5]

I don't know about rubber mat but at first thought that seems too dense. If you have a flat top stand with plywood or whatever then you want something kind of cushy to even out any weird spots etc. Most people I found use the half inch insulation with the foil back. That stuff is strong enough to not just flatten out but isn't too rigid. Maybe the rubber would do the same. But man, that insulation foam is like $5 for a huge sheet. Use that.

And the egg crate takes almost no weight to hold it down. That won't be an issue.

 

[abinder]

This is what I used under a 20 gallon qt.
http://m.marinedepot.com/products/az00430/mr-aqua-hybrid-foam-aquarium-mat