to drill or not to drill

[jenjen]

Looking for some opinions on rock setup. I would appreciate some comments as to whether you think drilling is necessary to stabalize aquascaping, or whether carefully stacking is ok?

Also, what are the advantages & disadvantages to lining the bottom of the tank with egg crate?

Thanks

 

[PAZE]

It totaly depends on the look you want, if you want tall narrow towers and yes you sould drill and add rods or pvc, but if your just trying for a reef type of look the carefull stacking with bigger rocks on the bottom as a base, will do just fine.

Paul

 

[Rustylugnuts]

^ +1

 

[Delr3]

I had the same questions as you, but then I deceided to just stack. I did so for 2 reasons; the first being if I ever wanted to change the design of my tank then it would have been eiser to do so without pulling out the rods/pvc then moving the rocks around. The second reson I did drill is I bought LR locally and did not want it out of the water for an extended amount of time while I drilled and deceided where to place everything. Hope that helps.

 

[jenjen]

Thanks! Anyone have anything to add RE egg crate on the bottom of the tank?

 

[ryansweet]

egg crate is wonderful! I have a dragon wrasse, aka rockmover who, when full grown, can move rocks apprx 5 times his size. The egg crate will help to keep the bottom of the tank from busting just in case a heavier rock should fall or in my case get flipped. Lowe's or Home Depot in the ceiling tile or lighting dept.

 

[jenjen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14766695#post14766695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryansweet
egg crate is wonderful!

So do I just put it on the bottom of the tank then put the rock right on top? If I have a sand sifting goby, will he still be able to dig?

 

[solareclisped]

from what i have read the eggcrate can be bad because it can trap detrius and other things.

 

[PAZE]

Just cut the egg crate to the size of the rock, all its for so it does not sit dirrectly on the glass, me I just set it right on my substraigh, to be honest I would only be worried if you have sand, as they weight of rock on sand could crack your tank.

 

[jenjen]

I thought part of the idea with the egg crate was to prevent anyone from digging under the rocks & toppling them? I like the idea of just putting it under the rocks & leaving the rest of the bottom for digging in, but would appreciate some more comments as to what others have done before I make up my mind.

Thanks