WMAS Discussion Forum : Setup questions/suggests http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:52:11 +0000 Mon, 26 Dec 2016 03:41:02 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=81565 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Setup questions/suggests : Agreed with Mark on 1 and 2. I&#039;ve...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81565&PID=620083&title=setup-questions-suggests#620083 Author: phys
Subject: 81565
Posted: December 26 2016 at 3:41am

Agreed with Mark on 1 and 2. I've never seen a use for egg crate... but there are differing opinions. The one caveat is if you're going to use rocks with pointy spot where a lot of force would be applied in a small area. Then it would be useful but really only in that section. Otherwise, if your rock has several points of contact, I wouldn't worry.]]> Mon, 26 Dec 2016 03:41:02 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81565&PID=620083&title=setup-questions-suggests#620083 <![CDATA[Setup questions/suggests : Here are my opinions:#1A. If this...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81565&PID=620056&title=setup-questions-suggests#620056 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 81565
Posted: December 23 2016 at 7:44pm

Here are my opinions:

#1
A. If this is a commercially manufactured tank with plastic frame, DO NOT use foam. Set the tank on good flat smooth plywood, or even better, use Melamine Board. The underlying support must support the corners of the tank on the board. Never allow a plastic framed glass tank to be high centered. When full of water, it will crack.
B. If the tank is frameless glass or acrylic, meaning that it sits on the glass or acrylic bottom panel, use Melamine Board by itself or plywood with a 1/4-1/2" rigid foam, like the rigid foam used for building insulation. A frameless glass or acrylic tank must have underlying structural support to keep it very flat.

#2
Light Diffuser or as we often call it "Eggcrate" has been used from time to time, but I have never found it necessary and often found it detrimental. Rocks can be pushed down into the sand even to the glass if wanted. There is no worry about the weight of rocks breaking the glass. The tripod method (see "Aquascaping Tips" copied below from the Reefkeeping Tips) works awesome to stabilize rocks. 

The biggest problem I've seen with tanks I've torn down where eggcrate was used (I've done plenty because years ago it was a fad method) is the nasty, stinky sand between the squares. 

Sometimes people like the eggcrate because they want to have a "sand throwing" fish like Diamond Goby, Jawfish, etc. It doesn't make sense to me. I don't like the destruction of the biofiltration and messing up of the live sand bed caused by "sand throwing" fish (and I would not advise one for any tank less than 100 gals). Instead, I believe in allowing a storm to come through from time to time to stir up and re-arrange the sand (a big syringe or turkey baster squirting water down into the bottom of the sand bed in small areas at a time is a good thing. The muck that goes up into the water column also feeds the coral with all kinds of very good live food.

There's no need to reinvent the wheel. It's been discussed here before:

Aquascaping tips
How to make it look natural and beautiful. Also, how fish can be happy so they run for cover instead of jumping out of the tank: 

Aloha,
Mark  Hug
]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2016 19:44:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81565&PID=620056&title=setup-questions-suggests#620056 <![CDATA[Setup questions/suggests : Well, it only took a year, but...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81565&PID=620042&title=setup-questions-suggests#620042 Author: superman1981
Subject: 81565
Posted: December 23 2016 at 11:17am

Well, it only took a year, but I'm finally getting ready to set up my new (year old) 65 gallon aquarium!

I've been reading up on different ways of setting up an aquarium and figured I'd check here for opinions.

#1 - Do you use some type of foam under your tank, or do you prefer to have your tank sit directly on the wood?

I ask because I have one of those mats that's supposed to reduce fatigue from standing on hard floors. I could easily cut it down to size so the tank could sit on it rather than the wood. I've seen several sources recommend this and am wondering if I should do it.

#2 - Do you use light diffusers under your rock to keep them from falling on the glass?

I've seen several people use light diffusers under their sandbed to help with rock stability. Is there any benefit to doing this or do you just stack your rock on your sand?

Thanks in advance! I'm just looking to see if there are better methods for setting up a tank than what I've used in the past.

]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2016 11:17:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81565&PID=620042&title=setup-questions-suggests#620042