egg crate bottom or not

[harleymike]

Im gong too be setting up my new 135 gallon tank.
Im going with a shallow sand bed, and not sugar sand this time. Something like fine crushed coral.
I hate the real fine stuff.
Anyway, who put egg crate in the bottom to help protect the glass. Is it needed.
Im thinking of putting one in.
thanks

 

[J_T]

Just a giant Detrius trap.

I did this with my 125. Had it up for about 2 years, and it was the messiest tear down of a tank I have ever done! And I have taken down my fair share of tanks!

If you are worried about the glass (and you shouldn't be, it should be thick enough!) Get some cheap cutting boards. Put the rock on that.

 

[spyd]

I agree. Definitely no eggcrate on the bottom. Everything gets trapped in it. Even snails, etc. can get trapped in it and perish. Nothing but problems.

 

[dale]

i used an upside down under gravel filter,,,

 

[Poseidon]

i wouldnt bother, just put your base rock in first and aquascape it and then ad the sand...
i know one guy epoxied his rock to the glass so it would NEVER move, but that just sucks if you take it down or want to move the tank

 

[Neopimp]

I used egg rate it's under and inch and a half or more if fine sand.  No issues with stuff getting caught in since it is buried. I don't think you need to cover the bottom completely but a couple small pieces under the large rocks is something I would definitely do.  Just anything to distribute the pressure on the. Glass. 

Probably don't need to until the large rock u are placing slips and smashes the bottom of the tank. seen It happen .

 

[yveterinarian]

I, also, use eggcrate under my sand.  In the reef tank, I have approx. 4" of sand for the garden eel.  When I took down the 90 gallon (which also had 4" sand bed) I did not notice any extra trapped detritus.  It was recommended to me for just that reason - if a rock falls, it could break the bottom.  It also helps distribute the weight of the rocks evenly so that there isn't one heavy pressure point on a part of the glass that may be weaker.  Due to it's nature, glass can have weak points and we don't know where those are.  If you accidentally put a rock on that weak point...you get the picture.  I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[pulpfiction1]

I'd wager that 135 has a tempered glass bottom you won't find a weak point anywhere

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[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

I have 1 or 2 inchs sandbed and no egg crate

 

[chrisstevens]

i have eggcrate under my crushed coral sand. I like it holds the rocks and keeps them from moving, especially with borrowing fish.

 

[harleymike]

Talked to great lakes aquarium.  Bottom is tempered.  He says no way it will break. 
Which was my main concern.  But with that said.  I still am considering it.