Raising up LR on BB tank

[Csubseball]

I'm about a week away from setting up my new 150 and I'm going to go BB.
For those who currently have BB, did you raise up your LR to have a gap for the water to flow or did you just set it on the bottom of the tank?
I was thinking about making some PVC legs but I wanted to see what everyone has done before I went that route. I'm planning on having a spray bar in the back of the tank to push water to the front. Is it really necessary to have the rock lifted or not?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Blown 346]

You dont have to have the rock lifted up, with BB you are going to getalot of flow under and around the base of the rock. You could build a PVC rack.
I saw one guy who did this with this BB tank, buy he did it and wired the rock together to coverthe PVC up.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

I don't think it is necessary for the PVC support, but it does provide more support for the rock structure, especially if you zip tie them to it.

What I could see happening is detrius getting trapped in corners of the PVC, but with enough flow, that shouldn't be an issue. If it becomes an issue, just orient powerheads, spray bars, etc. to change any dead spots.

 

[Csubseball]

anyone else?

 

[TCU Reefer]

Still need more rock but you get the idea. The 3/4" PVC T's and crosses raise the rack off the bottom.

 

[Gudwyn]

I just redid my 225. It was BB before with rock resting directly on starboard.

This time, I used pieces of 1/2" acrylic rod to lift the rock up off the bottom. Just use a 1/2" bit to drill three holes into underside of rock, stick in the rod, and cut to length. Rock is about 3/4" - 1" above the starboard at back of tank, shorter up front.

Huge difference. Before I was unable to prevent detritus from collect along backside of the rockwork. And that eventually led to algae out-of-control, and that led to a complete teardown and redo (5-6 weeks of work).

Now the poop collects in three neat piles up front. I highly recommend a strong spraybar (mine is half the flow from a hammerhead) and lifting up the rocks.

 

[Csubseball]

Does HD sale acrylic rod?

 

[doody]

I have seen people cut plastic hangers and use them. CHEAP!

 

[Csubseball]

I will probably give the plastic hanger trick a shot! Seems like the cheapest way to go....

 

[sage1970]

ok...I am tagging along here....

How does the rock get stuck to the pvc?? glued/epoxyed?/ etc

 

[Csubseball]

Does anyone have any pics of the rock sitting on the hanger pieces. It just seems to me that 150#'s of rock would crush the plastic pieces.

 

[sage1970]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7062827#post7062827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Csubseball
Does anyone have any pics of the rock sitting on the hanger pieces. It just seems to me that 150#'s of rock would crush the plastic pieces.

I would have to agree....I know I have sat on them before and broke them.....