Black vs white eggcrate

[titoav15]

I am considering using white egg crate for my frag tank, just wondering if its worth to buy the black one instead? Will it reduce algae significantly? Any other benefits?

 

[ryan_]

I haven't noticed any difference other than that the black looks better.

 

[duckmeat]

Never personally checked... but... it would only seem logical that white would be better because white reflects more light than black. But again that's only a theory.

 

[titoav15]

Thanks for the replies guys! I was reading on RC a while ago and someone mentioned that it has a potential to leak out toxins is that true? Also... Is there a safe spray on black paint for the egg crate?

 

[wetbehindears]

I wouldnt spray paint anything in the tank that isnt permanet (like a overflow or return loc lines.

You can use krylon fusion in the tank if properly dried. But i think it can still be dangerous if flaked in the tank and broke down mabey?

That being said i wouldnt paint anything in the tank that moved alot like a frag rack and how flimsly the egg crate is will pretty much gurantee it to flake.'

but thats just my 2 cents.

 

[titoav15]

I guess krylon is out, good to know thanks! Anyone know where I can get black egg crate locally like home depot or lowes?

 

[wetbehindears]

Not locally that i know of my wife a few yaers back got me a tons of "sheets" of black egg crate online some where and it was rather cheap (comparable to home depots white version) i would do a google serch to get a place to find online, also im sure their is some on ebay)

 

[Eastamherstbias]

Black or get acrylic and drill the holes in yourself and you can build all sorts of good looking setups.

 

[titoav15]

hmm too bad. I saw that BRS has some... I guess its something to think about, thank you!

 

[titoav15]

Would acrylic racks be less prone to algae compared to egg crate?

 

[wetbehindears]

black or get acrylic and drill the holes in yourself and you can build all sorts of good looking setups.

i like this idea, egg crate is only used cause it is simple to cut, but it is a pain in the arse to get some frag plugs to stay put, and honestly it is ugly. Drilling oles to pre determined sized will help keep odd size frag plugs and frag rock rubble. And it would look great.

 

[ryan_]

Would acrylic racks be less prone to algae compared to egg crate?

Anything you use is going to get algae on it. It doesn't matter what the material is. Drilling acrylic WOULD look better. I have used a ton of black egg crate though. Its cheap...and I like cheap.

 

[titoav15]

Sounds good guys thanks!

 

[captain7359]

I guess krylon is out, good to know thanks! Anyone know where I can get black egg crate locally like home depot or lowes?

Right here!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2357709

I'm through Syracuse every month or so if you're interested.

The white always seemed to grow more algae and if you dig far enough I'm sure you can find some threads discussing the leaching and other stuff that lead to the increased algae.

 

[pascal32]

I have tried both with better success with the black. There are numerous threads on whether or not egg crate leaches phosphate - all I can tell you is that I had a massive diatom bloom when I used it the first time, could be silicates, phosphates, no idea. Acrylic has never been an issue.

here is an interesting thread: http://www.njreefers.org/showthread.php?58778-Egg-Crate-Phosphate-Contributions&

couple things:

1) get flow UNDER the egg crate to minimize buildup
2) get acrylic if you don't want the hassle

 

[titoav15]

Really interesting read Pascal, thanks! Now I am wondering, does the black egg crate also leak phosphate?

 

[pascal32]

no idea - it's been debated. black seems to fair better than white for some reason. could be as simple as the mold release agents.

 

[Breakbeats2334]

In my experience when you get the random algae bloom in a frag tank I notice the black crate covers up the algae from look stand point compared to its white counterpart.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I like the way that the black looks when I have to take pictures of frags.

 

[titoav15]

anyone made a good looking diy acrylic frag rack? pics?