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Post by BriMc on Mar 30, 2014 9:36:58 GMT -5
Sand, Water, and then Rock letting the sediment settle before you add the rock.
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NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Mar 30, 2014 10:29:33 GMT -5
I would put this in the category of "Many correct ways to get a good result". With 2 subcategories being a new tank set up, or upgrade. It can fairly complicated if you are using old sand etc. But as an example, the other day I upgraded a customers 75 to a 120. The 75 had a great deal of sea floor special grade and he wanted a base of oolitic. New water was added first (needed another 95 gallons after all was said and done), added heater/powerheads, did my plumbing, when temp was correct base rock was added, a 4" triangle was cut from the corner of a 20 lb bag, submerged, and slowly poured out around the base rock. Topped off with old sand. Added rest of rock, coral, inverts and lastly fish. That was on friday. He texted me this morning and water is very clear with help of skimming. A good skimmer cranked down very low (dry) will remove a great deal of the crud clouding up the water. Also a bottle of dr tims bacteria was dumped in. Always helped  |
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Post by maineultraclassic on Mar 30, 2014 12:46:22 GMT -5
I always put a thin layer of sand in, then my base rocks, then the rest of the sand around it. Put a plate in and start filling with mixed water so it doesn't stir up the sand. Then keep building the rock work, and keep filling with mixed water.
By putting a thin layer of sand, I find that the base rocks are more stable then sitting on a bare bottom.
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Post by BriMc on Mar 31, 2014 9:08:48 GMT -5
I use to put in the sand then water and after settling I would add the rock on top of the sand. Then I switched to what Maineultra suggested and now I put in risers usually out of either white or clear PVC to lift the rock off the sand. I put down a piece of Lexan the size of the bottom of the tank usually 3/8s or thicker then I add a layer of sand about an inch thick. I place my risers in and then add the rock on top of them making the rock as stable as can be. I then gently add the rest of the sand so it is just about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch below the rock, this allows for water flow under the rock, Stops junk from gathering around the base of the rock, and also allows more places for sand dwelling fish to hide.
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Post by Lance on Mar 31, 2014 10:05:51 GMT -5
I use to put in the sand then water and after settling I would add the rock on top of the sand. Then I switched to what Maineultra suggested and now I put in risers usually out of either white or clear PVC to lift the rock off the sand. I put down a piece of Lexan the size of the bottom of the tank usually 3/8s or thicker then I add a layer of sand about an inch thick. I place my risers in and then add the rock on top of them making the rock as stable as can be. I then gently add the rest of the sand so it is just about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch below the rock, this allows for water flow under the rock, Stops junk from gathering around the base of the rock, and also allows more places for sand dwelling fish to hide. That is a great idea! The acrylic is awesome. I've never managed to crack the bottom of a tank with falling rock yet but I feel like I've come close. And lifting the rock off the sandbed make a lot of sense, both for critters and for cleaning. |
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Post by BriMc on Mar 31, 2014 11:31:41 GMT -5
I use the acrylic to distribute the weight of the rock on the pvc pushing on the bottom. I also cut as much of the pvc out so water and critters can get through the pvc stands. I was think of using solid pieces of pvc this time around but the clear acrylic in 3" is costly as is the solid pvc.
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NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Apr 1, 2014 11:39:52 GMT -5
I use the acrylic to distribute the weight of the rock on the pvc pushing on the bottom. I also cut as much of the pvc out so water and critters can get through the pvc stands. I was think of using solid pieces of pvc this time around but the clear acrylic in 3" is costly as is the solid pvc. Could try 3/8" fiberglass rod. The kind that heavy duty driveway reflectors are made from. Cheap, easy to find, strong, and...inert? haha |
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Post by BriMc on Apr 1, 2014 12:41:46 GMT -5
haha there's a reason I use 1.5" to 3" pieces of plastic rod and not 3/8 junk, Been here done this, thanks. The 3/8 rod does not provide enough stability to use as a base. Using the larger pieces of plastic gives me a larger base(more stability) to rest the rock on without the fear of the 3/8 rod moving Less (stability) causing a rock slide. Even with 4" of sand around it 3/8 rod tends to shift. Also a 1.5" to 3" base along with the plexi on the bottom of the tank gives me a larger distribution of weight over a 3/8th inch base which greatly reduces the chance of blowing out the bottom of the tank. I found a shop local to where I travel that has a bunch of 2" round extruded clear acrylic rod scrap for cheap so I am going to run with that.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 1, 2014 13:21:30 GMT -5
Can't remember what the method is called but I'll be doing my next aquascape like these pictures. Cinder blocks and rods. Pillar style Attachments:
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