Live Rock Guard

[jerkyjunky]

Almost ready to fill my first tank with water, but I remember hearing that I should be worried about the rock coming in contact with the glass. The idea was to put egg crate in the bottom of the tank before the sand went in to keep a guard between the rock and glass just in case. Is there any problem with my doing that? Is keeping egg crate in the sand going to act as some sort of detritus holder or cause a build up of anything negative?

Also I wanted to get live rock from multiple sources, and was looking at a few places online. As this is a new system, I'd be looking for less expensive (a.k.a. uncured) live rock. Any places of choice?

 

[Zeus30]

I put the sand in first and then the LR. That way it isn't touching the glass on the bottom and you don't have to put anything on the bottom.

 

[jerkyjunky]

I put the sand in first and then the LR. That way it isn't touching the glass on the bottom and you don't have to put anything on the bottom.

Some think I was reading mentioned if you have sand sifters/diggers they might move the sand under the rock? Something like a pistol shrimp say. **shrug** Total novice here, but I was thinking about a pistol shrimp. :reading:

 

[Zappo]

Some think I was reading mentioned if you have sand sifters/diggers they might move the sand under the rock? Something like a pistol shrimp say. **shrug** Total novice here, but I was thinking about a pistol shrimp. :reading:

This is true. If you add animals that like to dig, make sure the rocks are sitting on the bottom glass, or close to it. FWIW, I also like to add the sand first. Then I wiggle the rocks until they're sitting on the glass. I don't know if it actually makes a difference, but it makes me feel like the little bit of sand trapped under the rock is helping to distribute the weight a bit.

 

[swenholz]

I have had light diffuser egg crate under my rock for 4 years with no issues.

 

[jerkyjunky]

I have had light diffuser egg crate under my rock for 4 years with no issues.

Well that is comforting to hear.

What about sources for live rock? Any good sites to order from?

 

[mcgyvr]

The problem with rocks against the side glass,etc.. is that you can't clean with a scraper or whatever and you can reduce flow in that area which leads to detritus buildup in that area,etc..

I make sure that my magnet scraper can touch EVERYWHERE..

 

[swenholz]

I got almost all my rock as dead rock from Craig's list and seeded the tank with one good piece of live rock and a bag of live sand. it takes a little longer but I think you avoid a lot of issues with unwanted hitchhikers and it saves a boat load of cash over using all live rock. patience is the name of the game for a successful tank so get in the habit early.

 

[jerkyjunky]

The problem with rocks against the side glass,etc.. is that you can't clean with a scraper or whatever and you can reduce flow in that area which leads to detritus buildup in that area,etc..

I make sure that my magnet scraper can touch EVERYWHERE..

Oh yeah, wasn't planning on rocks on the sides. More worried about rocks slipping through the sand in a way that might hurt the bottom glass. If I end up with less than optimal, there are 2 sections in the sump that will support extra rock.