Rock Building.

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by star_wolf_us, Sep 4, 2009.

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  1. star_wolf_us

    star_wolf_us Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Location:
    Grinnell, IA
    I've heard some mixed things about rock building in the tank. Some think that it's a good idea to build the rocks up and then put the sand down. Others I've talked to don't think that the rocks should touch the glass at all so they put the sand down first. Any opinions? Also, I don't have a LFS here in town and I totally forgot to buy epoxy when I was there yesterday... Is there stuff I can get at the hardware store that will work underwater?
     
    star_wolf_us, Sep 4, 2009
    star_wolf_us, Sep 4, 2009
    #1

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  2. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    St.Pete FL
    i personally put the rocks down then kinda packed my sand around them then built upwards, and the only reason y i put my rocks down first was so fish could burrow there way under the rocks and have them all come crashing down, and the sand packed around makes it pretty stable...
     
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    #2
  3. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Location:
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    If your worried about the rocks on the bare bottom, you can put some "eggcrate" down, then put the rock on that, then sand. Although I originally put my rock first, then sand, but have since redone my aquascape and have placed some rock on top of the sand, and I've had no problems.

    You can get the epoxy from a hardware store. Look for "underwater epoxy" it looks just like the stuff you get at the lfs, but may be a different color, and it's generally cheaper.
     
    GuitarMan89, Sep 4, 2009
    GuitarMan89, Sep 4, 2009
    #3
  4. star_wolf_us

    star_wolf_us Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Grinnell, IA
    Thank You!! ;D
     
    star_wolf_us, Sep 4, 2009
    star_wolf_us, Sep 4, 2009
    #4
  5. glampka

    glampka Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Location:
    Williamsville, NY
    Absolutely -rock first then sand especially if you end up with fish that like to burrow. They can & have brought down many rockscapes in short order. You may want to consider placing the rock on pieces of PVC pipe rather than eggcrate. Eggcrate can be a problem for burrowing fish.
     
    glampka, Sep 4, 2009
    glampka, Sep 4, 2009
    #5
  6. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    on pvc? that dont sound stable at all...
     
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    #6

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  7. glampka

    glampka Coral Banded Shrimp

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    You cut short pieces & use various diameter pipe depending on the size of the rock.
     
    glampka, Sep 4, 2009
    glampka, Sep 4, 2009
    #7
  8. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    still think an eggcreat would be the best bet...
     
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    dpruitt7450, Sep 4, 2009
    #8
  9. ajd916

    ajd916 Astrea Snail

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    i put the eggcrate down across my 55 gallon, then i put my sand and finally my rock. i have one fish that sleeps under the sand, and i made one end of the tank a little deeper so he could burrow. the eggcrate only took up about 1/4" from the bottom in a 1 1/2" bed.
     
    ajd916, Sep 5, 2009
    ajd916, Sep 5, 2009
    #9
  10. Fujin

    Fujin Feather Duster

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    May 28, 2009
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    Location:
    Dresden,OH
    Strickland taught me that you definatly go rock first...then sand. Make sure it is VERY stable.
     
    Fujin, Sep 5, 2009
    Fujin, Sep 5, 2009
    #10
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