rocks raised up on bottom

[jcolgan]

I keep reading posts where people have used various methods to raise up rocks so they are not sitting right on the bottom of the tank. What is the reason that this is a good way to go?

Thanks

[Steve]

If you have gobies or some other sort of sand digger, it is a good idea to have the rock supports so they don't dig a hole and perhaps topple the rock structure. I have never really heard of this happening to anyone though.

[Steve]

One other reason also is so the sand doesn't get compacted under the rock. But truthfully, I am not sure if it makes that big of a difference though. Most people lean their live rock up against the back wall of the tank. It is much more supported that way. I have a 120 that is in the middle of a room and the rock is in the center of the tank. I used to have gobies in it, so I bought a rock rack and removed everything and placed it in there. A major pain in the but. The gobies have since been moved to a different tank which also has a rock rack. I really haven't heard any studies on if they make a difference on a DSB.

[jcolgan]

I have never heard of a rock rack, what is it? Also what is DSB?

thanks

[vtec si]

Welcom to RL!

DSB is DEEP SAND BED! I have also heard of people kepping LR off the DSB so you don't have dead spot in your sand! In my 180 I have my rocks on the sand! It work for me IMHO!

Good Luck,

VTEC SI

[Steve]

The rock racks are made here at Reefland. They don't really advertise them on their site, but they do make and sell them. You could make one yourself if you have the time. Basically it is a piece of acrylic with holes drilled through for the top piece, some PVC pipe for supports, and a solid piece of acrylic on the bottom. They use the black stuff at Reefland. Looks nice, but it gets burried by the sand and rock anyway so color really isn't an issue, unless you don't have a DSB. DSB stands for deep sand bed. I know some people make the racks out of eggcrate. Eggcrate is a light defusor made out of white plastic.