Cure dry Fiji rock

[jgraz]

Have you had any issues with detritus build up in the sand bed because CUC can't dig through the eggcrate? I assume the eggcrate makes it more difficult to siphon the sand too? I've thought about doing that but ended up doing bare bottom.

The eggcrate is only about 1/4" thick.
I usually have about 1.5-2" bed. CUC will not likely go that deep. But even so, in past builds the sand on bottom was a clean as day one after a couple of years looking from underneath.
As for siphoning, I don't, not my thing, never felt like it was needed.

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[diana a]

I have used eggcrate but not against the bottom but elevated to keep detrius from collecting under LR. Cut 2" legs from 1" pvc pipe and use zip ties to keep them connected to egg crate. Egg crate floats and having the pvc pipe zip tied helps while placing your rock work

 

[Sponge]

I have used eggcrate but not against the bottom but elevated to keep detrius from collecting under LR. Cut 2" legs from 1" pvc pipe and use zip ties to keep them connected to egg crate. Egg crate floats and having the pvc pipe zip tied helps while placing your rock work

Diana. I am interested in your method but not completely seeing it in my head. You wouldn’t happen to have and old pic would you.

 

[David]

I mean it was live at some point. So I'm sure there are some dead stuff. But I'll just do plenty of water changes and skim the dead stuff

Most of that rock has been mined from land where ancient ocean used to be. They Are as clean as any terestrial rock. It hasn't been in the ocean in thousands of years. you don’t have to worry about it. If you just cycle the tank it won’t leach nutrients. Curing is relevant for rock that’s been in the ocean, or another tank that has dried up, and has die off. If you want to be sure, smell the rock. Dead organisms stink.

 

[diana a]

Diana. I am interested in your method but not completely seeing it in my head. You wouldn’t happen to have and old pic would you.

You get water flow under the rocks, better for good water movement and cutting down on dead spots where cyano wants to develop. The bottom of the rocks can grow bacteria, sponges, feather dusters and more when they aren't stuck in the sand. CUC and wrasses have lots more sand surface to work on and use for hiding. Critters that want to hide out have all kinds of space under the egg crate. It only takes a small amount of rubble to fill in along the edges and hide the eggcrate. In this photo was before adding the rubble to hide the eggcrate. I am bare bottom

 

[Sponge]

Totally get it now. That’s awesome. Great idea that I have never seen before

 

[David]

You get water flow under the rocks, better for good water movement and cutting down on dead spots where cyano wants to develop. The bottom of the rocks can grow bacteria, sponges, feather dusters and more when they aren't stuck in the sand. CUC and wrasses have lots more sand surface to work on and use for hiding. Critters that want to hide out have all kinds of space under the egg crate. It only takes a small amount of rubble to fill in along the edges and hide the eggcrate. In this photo was before adding the rubble to hide the eggcrate. I am bare bottom


View attachment 22684

I did the same, with just pvc plugs. I wish I would have thought of the egg crate. Nice touch.

 

[Hallowhead]

Most of that rock has been mined from land where ancient ocean used to be. They Are as clean as any terestrial rock. It hasn't been in the ocean in thousands of years. you don’t have to worry about it. If you just cycle the tank it won’t leach nutrients. Curing is relevant for rock that’s been in the ocean, or another tank that has dried up, and has die off. If you want to be sure, smell the rock. Dead organisms stink.

You give me confidence with not curing it so extensively. I will be adding to tank right away! A quick clean off for any visible debris.

 

[Hallowhead]

The eggcrate is only about 1/4" thick.
I usually have about 1.5-2" bed. CUC will not likely go that deep. But even so, in past builds the sand on bottom was a clean as day one after a couple of years looking from underneath.
As for siphoning, I don't, not my thing, never felt like it was needed.

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I like this idea but makes me nervous for gobbies trying to dig sand. What if they chomp on some plastic?

 

[Sponge]

Lol. Don’t think they could or would.

 

[Hallowhead]

Lol. Don’t think they could or would.

That is what I am saying, i've seen gobbies dig some extensive tunnels and that would stop them from doing it... so I am going to opt against it.

 

[jgraz]

I like this idea but makes me nervous for gobbies trying to dig sand. What if they chomp on some plastic?

There is plenty of sand to satisfy any sand sifting life.
Even Wrasses that sleep in the sand have no issue.
As I said though there is at least 1.5" of sand on top of the eggcrate. In some areas 2"+

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[jgraz]

That is what I am saying, i've seen gobbies dig some extensive tunnels and that would stop them from doing it... so I am going to opt against it.

I think you not quite getting it. The eggcrate is just the new low point, instead of glass. To the fish it would just be the bottom of the tank just like glass.

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[Sponge]

Jgraz. Nice pics. Looks good