New tank rocks and egg crate question

[erikmoseley]

Hey everybody I just scored 200 pounds of Riverock for $55 My plan is within the next week or so is to tear down my 70 gallon and swap/ set up my 90 gallon with these rocks and some from the collection I already have. I have a bunch of rock in mice 70 gallon right now but I did not use eggcrate on the bottom I've never used before so here's my question. I I went to Home Depot today and they had the only thing resembling what I thought I needed and was very thin plastic eggcrate will this work or should I be looking for something like an inch thick? If so any suggestions where I find that I've attached some pictures of the Home Depot stuff and you can see how thin it is probably a quarter inch. And if the tank dimensions are 48 x 18 do I measure an inch shorter in each direction so it fits easy?

 

[Mrc8858]

That's the right stuff, the edges are extra thin but it really isn't an issue. Just make sure its flush on the glass and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Big Tex]

That's the right stuff, the edges are extra thin but it really isn't an issue. Just make sure its flush on the glass and you shouldn't have any problems.

If you don't mind me asking what's the egg crate for..?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

If you don't mind me asking what's the egg crate for..?

It makes the weight of your rock work distribute evenly across the bottom of the tank so there is less pressure points.

 

[Big Tex]

It makes the weight of your rock work distribute evenly across the bottom of the tank so there is less pressure points.

****, I only have about 50-75lbs of rock in my 75g should I be concerned?

 

[erikmoseley]

****, I only have about 50-75lbs of rock in my 75g should I be concerned?

I wouldn't be. I have more than that now in 72 gallon and I've seen your setup - looks nice and sturdy

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I have 200 pounds in my tank with no egg crate

 

[Cactuspixie]

Totally ignorant here- does the egg crate cause a build up of debris or impede cleaning at all?

 

[erikmoseley]

Totally ignorant here- does the egg crate cause a build up of debris or impede cleaning at all?

I'd say no as I'm using sand as the substrate on top and any debris not filtered sits on top

 

[Cactuspixie]

I'd say no as I'm using sand as the substrate on top and any debris not filtered sits on top

Thanks, that sounds perfect, as the 6ft tank I'm planning is going to have 2 kinds of sand and a heap of rocks for a retaining wall and caves.

 

[Big Tex]

I wouldn't be. I have more than that now in 72 gallon and I've seen your setup - looks nice and sturdy

Awesome, I wanna go up the sides and rear corners and leave the middle for swimming space ill be adding more rocks should I add egg crate then..?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

it cant hurt to add it, but with alot of sand on the bottom it should have a good enough cushion. Plus you dont want sand between the bottom of the egg crate and the tank, so you would need to take all your sand out first.

 

[Rare]

Reason I use the egg crate is to hold the rocks in one place since the cichlids tend to dig a hole near the rocks or right under the rocks. Might not be needed but you never know.

 

[erikmoseley]

Got the egg crate and cut to fit. Cleaned the tank up and painted back black w 3 coats of black acrylic paint and letting it dry. My goal is to get tanks swapped out next weekend and have it all set up w my fish in. Maybe add a couple more. Want to add to my acei. Only have two now and maybe another peacock. The 2 I have in there rule the mbuna now. Weird I think!

 

[Big Tex]

Got the egg crate and cut to fit. Cleaned the tank up and painted back black w 3 coats of black acrylic paint and letting it dry. My goal is to get tanks swapped out next weekend and have it all set up w my fish in. Maybe add a couple more. Want to add to my acei. Only have two now and maybe another peacock. The 2 I have in there rule the mbuna now. Weird I think!

I know this might be a little off topic but is that the same egg crate the reef guys use for the hood less tanks?

 

[erikmoseley]

I know this might be a little off topic but is that the same egg crate the reef guys use for the hood less tanks?

It's the stuff u put under your sand to evenly distribute the rock weight and not have the rocks directly on the glass. Look at start of thread for the pic of it

 

[Big Tex]

It's the stuff u put under your sand to evenly distribute the rock weight and not have the rocks directly on the glass. Look at start of thread for the pic of it

I know what it is lol I've been in this thread long enough lol I'm just asking if I wanted to go hoodless is this the same stuff..?

 

[erikmoseley]

I know what it is lol I've been in this thread long enough lol I'm just asking if I wanted to go hoodless is this the same stuff..?

Ha I don't get what ya mean sorry! My current tanks hoodless just the lights on top but I got no egg crate involved! Sorry bud I'm just not following! How are the guys liking your new rock setup?

 

[Big Tex]

Ha I don't get what ya mean sorry! My current tanks hoodless just the lights on top but I got no egg crate involved! Sorry bud I'm just not following! How are the guys liking your new rock setup?

They love it, I thinned the heard a bitast weekend and they're happier, what are you going with?

 

[erikmoseley]

They love it, I thinned the heard a bitast weekend and they're happier, what are you going with?

Moving all my mbuna and couple peacocks to the slightly bigger tank. The center brace on my 72 is broken so I wanted to move them before I have a potential disaster on my hands. Gonna do like a turtle in 72 I think. The mbuna I have are saulosi, white top hara, flavus, rustys, and clown labs. An on peacock and an ahli and a dragon blood peacock, oh and some acei.