[pat3612]

Hi I was wondering Iam setting up a 100 gal tank I have the egg crate on the bottom and the rocks are in but was wondering if I add sand how much and how do you stir it up with egg crate in there. Thanks Pat :-?

 

[prov356]

As you've determined, you won't be able to stir it. I don't use eggcrate myself, but regardless, I'm a believer in vacuuming out the sand and rinsing and replacing periodically, and you should be able to do that whether you have eggcrate or not. Stirring the sand can remove any gas bubbles but just stirs in the detritus. It won't necessarily all rise to the top of the sand for removal. I know that seems extreme, but I don't use a great deal of sand in my tanks. Unless you've got bower builders or some other reason, why go 2-3 inches deep?

I think most just don't stir what gets trapped in the eggcrate and report no problems from it. I'm sort of obsessive about removing detritus myself and that'd bug me.

 

[Britnick]

Hi Pat

One way would be to cut the egg crate so that it is only under the rocks, which means you can stir the sand better. But I am not 100% sure that egg crate is going to be that much of a problem. If you haven’t seen these already, have a look at http://www.cichlid-forum.com/videos.php there are some good tips on egg crate and sand substrate cleaning. Worth a 10 minute look!

Also, there are some good threads about UGJ to help keep the substrate clean (see the article by Marc Elieson http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php)

Just a thought.

 

[pat3612]

Thanks very much your help is much appreciated will check out those threads. Thanks Pat :thumb: