What do you put under your rock work?

[Tuffloud1]

I’m preparing my new tank upgrade for rock.

I see some reefers putting down various liners to protect the bottom glass or give the rock work more stability.

I’ve seen pvc pipe used, “starboard” and egg crate or they like to put sand in first as a “cushion” before adding in the rock.

Let me know what you use if it isn’t listed.

 

[bryanfuel]

I didn’t even consider this to be an option. Definitely curious to see what the responses are as my aquascapes are pretty shaky at times

 

[Auquanut]

I lined the bottom of my 125 with eggcrate prior to adding rocks and sand. The reason for this was that I knew that I planned to keep engineer gobies and that they get large and move lots of sand. I also have some really large rocks. It worked for me because these guys move an insane amount of sand and my rockwork remains completely stable. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, as it is impossible to clean the sand all the way to the glass.

 

[Tuffloud1]

I lined the bottom of my 125 with eggcrate prior to adding rocks and sand. The reason for this was that I knew that I planned to keep engineer gobies and that they get large and move lots of sand. I also have some really large rocks. It worked for me because these guys move an insane amount of sand and my rockwork remains completely stable. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, as it is impossible to clean the sand all the way to the glass.

Oops, I forgot egg crate in the poll so I just added it.

I believe you can go back and edit your vote.

 

[Dvanlier05]

Right on the glass, sand added around the rocks. Never have to worry about rocks moving because of the sand shifting. Only way I've ever done it.

 

[Auquanut]

I believe you can go back and edit your vote.

Changed it.

 

[bryanfuel]

I lined the bottom of my 125 with eggcrate prior to adding rocks and sand. The reason for this was that I knew that I planned to keep engineer gobies and that they get large and move lots of sand. I also have some really large rocks. It worked for me because these guys move an insane amount of sand and my rockwork remains completely stable. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, as it is impossible to clean the sand all the way to the glass.

Do you have the egg crate all the way up to the side glass? Why not cut the egg crate one square shorter on each edge then glue it place centered on the bottom glass? Then you would have no problem cleaning the sand.

 

[Billdogg]

I've used eggcrate - it was a 150 long that was ho,e to a 4' moray. He could move any rock I put in there so I thought I probably should do something. All other tanks the rocks have been placed on the glass first, then sand put in around them. Tunnel away!

 

[Auquanut]

? Why not cut the egg crate one square shorter on each edge then glue it place centered on the bottom glass? Then you would have no problem cleaning the sand.

Good idea. Never thought about that. Too late for me now. Not going to rip apart the tank to fix it, but great advice for others.

 

[biecacka]

Right on the glass. Then sand goes in. That way any sand sifting fish cannot get under the rocks.


corey

 

[albano]

My base rocks are usually flat bottomed and I drill them and add 3 acrylic rods (legs) to each rock. Except for some small rocks up front, most of the other rocks are above the ‘floor’ and fish and CUC can easily go under them. Sand is added after rock work is set.
Have used this method for over 20 yrs without problems or rock slides.
Present tanks are 5’x30” 200g and 6’x5’ 500g softy reefs.

 

[SDK]

Do you have the egg crate all the way up to the side glass? Why not cut the egg crate one square shorter on each edge then glue it place centered on the bottom glass? Then you would have no problem cleaning the sand.

You can take this a step further. Glue down egg crate just in the back 1/2 or 1/3 of the tank. Or figure out a layout and put the egg crate down just where the rocks will be. I did this some years back and it worked well. Picked up the idea in a magazine article if I remember correctly.

This will help lock in the rocks, but keep the egg crate out of most of the viewing area...

 

[bryanfuel]

Good idea. Never thought about that. Too late for me now. Not going to rip apart the tank to fix it, but great advice for others.

For the upgrade!