Liverock on bare bottom glass?

[CEverii]

So why do I read that when setting up your FOWLER aquarium, you should put the rock in first, on the bare bottom glass? Wouldn't it be better to do your sand first then rock?

[Parrothead]

That is a matter of preference, by adding the first layer of rock on the glass, and then putting sand around the base, this will add a great deal of stability to the rock structure.

Finally, someone from a little closer to home

[leebca]

Robert's correct, but I wouldn't consider it 'preference.' The rock in a medium to large aquarium is fairly unstable enough, without putting it on substrate that can shift. You'd be surprised on the number of fishes and marine life forms that have died from falling rock.

If it is a small aquarium, I'll go along with preference being the guiding motive.

[Bloodydecks]

also, it will help preventing dead spots under the rock. THe weight of the rock can compress the sand so that the area under the rock creates pockets of sulfur gases..."dead black" sand. I just call it "Dead" sand