placement of live rock

[yellowshark]

Hello,
I am new here, and reef keeping. I have volume 1 and 2 of "The Reef Aquarium" which I have
been reading. It mentions about the importance of keeping the rock of the bottom of the tank,
via egg crates or acrylic posts.I was just wondering about how everyone here goes about this
aspect of the setup?

CHEERS!

[rfgonzo]

It's all depends on who you ask, some people will put rock directly on the bottom, other people will lay egg crate on the bottom, and others will put down small sections of acrylic where the bottom rocks will be supported. In all honesty it's a personal preference some people like the egg crate encase they drop a rock and others despise it because it can collect detritus. I'd actually done it all 3 way and each one has worked for me.

[yellowshark]

Thank you for the reply. I get the idea. I have heard of placing spray bars down at the bottom
of the tank, so the main return sprays and creates flow beneath the rocks. Things are starting
to make sense.

[rfgonzo]

What size tank are you planning on building?

[Tankster]

For my last setup I took a milk crate and cut it in half and built my rock work on top and in front of it. Allowed lots of "caves" for fish and took a lot less rock to create my aqua scape.

[yellowshark]

yes just a 25 gallon tank I'm getting one from advanced acrylics.yeah and I've got some ideas about how I'm going get it
off the floor of the tank. I'm going to drill the rock and place place plastic pegs, probably three to four per rock. Making sure
they are very stable. Then placing the return down at the back to have flow under the rock. How does this sound?
The Best!

[rfgonzo]

I would keep your return at the top so you get surface agitation for better gas exchange. To get flow underneath the rocks that's where powerhead's will work. You'll be fine if you have some rocks touching the bottom you just don't want a bunch of them on the bottom.

[yellowshark]

I would keep your return at the top so you get surface agitation for better gas exchange. To get flow underneath the rocks that's where powerhead's will work. You'll be fine if you have some rocks touching the bottom you just don't want a bunch of them on the bottom.

Sounds like good advise, will do

[robandrosco]

I would keep your return at the top so you get surface agitation for better gas exchange. To get flow underneath the rocks that's where powerhead's will work. You'll be fine if you have some rocks touching the bottom you just don't want a bunch of them on the bottom.

Agreed! I have sand under my rocks and haven't had an issue with it.