Tips and Tricks to Creating Amazing Aquascapes

[Veganbrian]

I just wanted to share a article i wrote and am expanding on. Hope you enjoy!:strooper:

Tips and Tricks to Creating Amazing Aquascapes

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

suggestion:

suggestion:

make sure to mention NOT to use eggcrate on the bottom of a reef aquarium

 

[Veganbrian]

Why is that?

 

[Jacwil]

Those wee squares make great nutrient traps.

 

[Capt_Cully]

It's an interesting read for sure.

 

[TNpharmboy]

so what else can you use to safeguard the bottom?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Typically people with glass bottoms who want to protect them use a sheet of starboard.

Nice article BTW. I have said it before but it bears repeating - the planted FW hobby is miles ahead of us reef keepers when it comes to aquascaping...

 

[remix8315544]

What's starboard? Getting my tank ready for rock and sand.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

starboard = cutting board

starboard = cutting board

just my opinion:

I strongly suggest NOT using eggcrate/light diffuser for many many reasons.
Starboard isn't a necessity.

Place your rocks on the glass bottom FIRST and place sand into aquarium after rock is in place. I prefer a very shallow sandbed (less than half inch depth) or none at all.

Choosing to use eggcrate or a deep sandbed can make your reefkeeping experience less than optimal- to say the least.
These are important choices that will definitely impact the ease and success of your reef aquarium.

I now run a reef aquarium that's half barebottom / half shallow sandbed and that's my choice after many years of experimentation with many types of substrate.

 

[Capt_Cully]

just my opinion:



Place your rocks on the glass bottom FIRST and place sand into aquarium after rock is in place. I prefer a very shallow sandbed (less than half inch depth) or none at all.

Choosing to use eggcrate or a deep sandbed can make your reefkeeping experience less than optimal- to say the least.
These are important choices that will definitely impact the ease and success of your reef aquarium.

I now run a reef aquarium that's half barebottom / half shallow sandbed and that's my choice after many years of experimentation with many types of substrate.

I have done this for 8 years now. Never an issue with putting rocks directly on the glass bottom when placed with care.

 

[jtmbtech]

Use a piece of cardboard as a template for the bottom of your tank. Drill the rocks and use fiberglass rod and marine epoxy to secure them and get them just how you want them then put it in the tank. If they are secured together well there is no need to protect the bottom of the tank. And definitely do NOT use the egg crate!

Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

in the larger picture

in the larger picture

the decision to NOT use eggcrate is MUCH MORE important than the aquascape

 

[remix8315544]

Thanks guys. I read the startup on the Reef Central main forum and would probably used the eggcrate if not for your input. My last reef tank was a 150 with no sand about 10 years ago. I wanted to have some Gobies and will need some substrate. How much depth is needed and does it need to go through the entire tank or can the depth vary where you want it to. The tank is a drilled 75g with a 20g sump. Thanks.