Best Item to use for base under Live Rock?

[Danshoe42]

Hello all - I was thinking about putting egg crates down at the bottom of my tank and then building the rock base off of that. I have read around the net and it sounds like this can turn into a detritus trap and isn't a good idea. What is everyone's suggestions?

 

[gone fishin]

I have pieces of eggcrate under my rock. This tank has been set up now for 4-1/2 years. I personally have not had any problems from detritus build up. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[Sk8r]

I do. Heavy tall rockwork can take out your sideglass if not restrained somehow, and this is an easy restraint. Keep some nassarius snails and they'll clean undersand. So will some fish.

 

[thegrun]

I've used egg crate for years without issue. I've taken down two tanks that had been up for over 5 years each and neither had detritus near the egg crate. If you have a decent clean up crew with nassarius snails it will not be a problem. I have had issues in tanks were I did not use egg crate with the rocks shifting and causing rock slides over time. I am a big advocate of egg crate in tanks with sand.

 

[j_mazzy]

Eggcrate, build aquascape and set. then add enough sand to cover by about an inch. Cerith and Nassarius and all good.

 

[rt67ghy]

I also have crates under my rockwork. As long as the sand covers the egg crate detritus shouldn't be able to enter the egg crate.