Are Those Egg Crate Things Really Necessary?

[Cheffi]

Thought I'd post here as you mbuna guys seem to know most about rocks. I've taken out all of those ones I got from the garden centre. I'm going to put ocean rock in instead. I placed the original ones directly onto the glass and added sand after. Obviously now I have only the sand in the tank.

My glass is 12mm floated glass. Is it necessary to put that stuff that nick used on the bottom before piling the rocks? Or can I just put them directly onto the glass however it will be more difficult this time as there is sand in the tank? If it is what is it exactly called and where do you get it? Thanks ev1.

 

[Ginge]

Nope not needed mine are placed directly onto the glass to allow for digging. No problems. Hows it all going?

 

[Nick Sw]

I used it to be on the safe side . Some people use it some don`t it`s not absolutely neccessary.
I`ve got a spare couple of pieces if you want one I`ll post it 60cm Sq I think. PM if you need it.

 

[Cheffi]

Thanks for offer nick you a r sweetie but if it's not needed then I shan't bother. Still no further along with the cycle. Got half a bag of squeezings from mature filters from a fish guy (has a leasing business) on Monday so hoping for great things. Nitrites still off the scale and no increase in nitrates. I think they have all gone awol due to this nice weather!!

 

[mamafish68]

The way I look at it, it's a personal thing, if it makes you feel comfortable and able to sleep at night then GO FOR IT! It's easy, fast and think of all the things it saves.

It's in all but 2 of my tanks.

 

[Cheffi]

I don't really understand what the advantages are though?

 

[denis coghlan]

I don't really understand what the advantages are though?

It prevent extreme pressure build up in particular points on the glass.

When a rock is placed on glass, due to it uneven surface, all the weight of the rock is put on three or fours points of contact on the glass. While if you put down the egg crate first, the weight of the rock is spread over a greater area of the glass surface making it less likely that the glass will crack as a result of pressure.

I dont think it does much else than that!

 

[Cheffi]

Waves to mamafish!! The only concern I would have is that the sand can get down into the holes in the crate. Could that be a potential problem for those pockets of gas?

 

[mamafish68]

HEYYY CHEFFI BABY!!!!!

with a good stirring/poking/prodding i've never seen a gas build up in ANY of my tanks.

 

[Nick Sw]

I thought that too Cheffi but the Mbuna like to dig and shift the sand around a lot so I don`t think it`s anything to worry about.

 

[brewyn]

Have never even seen the stuff, let alone use it!!! but before anyone sais out, I do know what it is LOL

I think It may be better for the harder to stack pebbles and bolders incase of an accident or even the ocean rock due to the weight and some sharp edges, but I dont think it would be needed for lava or tuffa rock.