55 Gallon and egg crate question

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Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


dizzcat
 
Posts: 648
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:30 am

55 Gallon and egg crate question

by dizzcat

OK, so my Africans have been in a 30 gallon for the past 7 months. I got them all at 1 1/2". I knew someday I would need to upgrade to a 55 when they got bigger. Well, bigger they are so its time! YAY! :dancing:

I can only afford the tank and hood at the moment, so am planing on setting it up on the floor until I can afford to get a nice stand. My kids are grown and I live alone so am not worried about kids breaking it, or a lot of traffic around the tank. I will use all I have in the 30 for it. The filter I have in the 30 is actually made for a 75 because they are such pigs! LOL

My question is: if its on the floor do I still need to put egg crate in it? I know the egg crate is to help distribute the rock weight, but if its on solid ground instead of on a stand can it handle it without? I only have about 20 pounds of lava rock right now. I know I will need to get some when I finally get a stand. I will have just enough money to get the tank and a couple extra stuff. Is there anything cheaper I can use? The egg create here is expensive for a small piece. :(


Burgerking7679
 
Posts: 112
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:53 pm

by Burgerking7679

It wont make a difference wether its on the stand or its on the ground. The floor wont do anything to distribute weight that the stand wont.

I dont even use egg crate in my 75g tank, and I have like 50lbs of rock(more rock now than in my pic). Though I would be more worried if I was keeping larger fish like haps as they are actually strong enough to knock over rocks. I have had large rocks fall from the top of a stack without causing any damage, the sand seemed to obsorb all the weight.

If you are planning on using egg crate in your tank I'd put it in when you set the tank up, that way you dont have to remove substrate later.


vwfan79
 
Posts: 80
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:20 pm

by vwfan79

I have over 100 lbs of holy rock and flag stone in my, and no egg crate. I have actually never heard of putting egg crate in to distribute weight. But with all the rocks I have I haven't had any issues and its going on 9 months.


giggity
 
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:24 pm

by giggity

I know this is probably a stupid question but... Whats egg crate???


kelbri
 
Posts: 118
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:24 pm

by kelbri

giggity, I was just wondering the same thing? The crates we buy our eggs in is cardboard. I don't think we want that in a tank...


vwfan79
 
Posts: 80
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:20 pm

by vwfan79

Egg crate is plastic grid looking stuff found in the lighting department of home depot....its used as a lighting cover for shop lights.


kelbri
 
Posts: 118
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:24 pm

by kelbri

Ah ha. I should have known that, being in the Architectural field.

55 Gallon and egg crate question

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