live rock or sand first

do you put live rock on glass on bottom of tank,
or live sand down first.
seen where some people use egg crate on bottom, then live rock, then live sand.
open for suggestions?

 

I used to put sand down first, then the rock and just push the rock down in the sand. This worked well till my first damsel dug a hole and caused a rock-slide.

Now,
I put the rock down first, then add sand.

-fritts

 

We put all of our rock on the glass first, then sand. We've got a pistol shrimp in one tank, and a soon to be mantis in the other. If you have anything that burrows or can knock something over, it's always good to have rock anchored down touching the glass bottom. MUCH more stable.

 

if you have a deep sand bed you may want to use egg crate as you thought. Then a little sand to cover crate then rock then the rest of the sand. That way you don't bury all your rock. I am sure you could bury rock also if you don't mind or have plenty.IMO

 

I put the rock on top of the sand and bought an engineering goby....didnt work out so well and recontructed all my rock in the long run haha

 

if you have a deep sand bed you may want to use egg crate as you thought. Then a little sand to cover crate then rock then the rest of the sand. That way you don't bury all your rock. I am sure you could bury rock also if you don't mind or have plenty.IMO

 

Mine was a golby that caused my rock slide. Rocks always go on the glass.

 

What type of egg crate do you use or recommend?

 

I put eggcrate down, then sand, then rock. Didn't have any problems. If I had it to do over again, I would do eggcrate, rock then sand. Just be careful of the eggcrate. It has edges that can nick the silly-cone at the bottom. I cut mine to allow a full two inches from the four sides.

 

Doesn't the egg crate interfere with burrowing animals, such as snails, conchs, etc? Can't they get trapped down in the squares and then not find a way out and die?