Egg Crate On Glass Bottom?

[Chris Osborne]

Hey all, I'm thinking of setting up a new reef without and substrate on the bottom. Is there anything I should be doing before putting down live rock? Would it be ideal to have egg crate on the bottom to prevent scratching? Or would that just trap gunk?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Tony M]

I would not use “egg crate” . It will be just a gunk collector. Put the rocks right on the glass.

 

[Chris Osborne]

I would not use “egg crate” . It will be just a gunk collector. Put the rocks right on the glass.

Okay. Should I saw the base flat? Will it scratch the glass?

 

[Tony M]

It won’t hurt the glass. You’re not going to drag it across the bottom. Just set it down carefully.

 

[Chris Osborne]

Okay, thanks!

 

[Nanorock1970]

Yes just set the rock down gently and don't drag it into place, you will be fine. Also my LFS suggests to put the rock in first and then any sandbed so if your sand loving critters go digging they will not mess with the rock when they dig the sand out from under it.

 

[doubleohwhatever]

I've used egg crate for the past decade on all of my tanks ranging from 60 gallons to 400 gallons and I've never had a problem with it. On my larger tanks the bottom pane has always been tempered glass and the rockwork extensive. It may do absolutely nothing but I feel better having the egg crate under the rock.