base in the tank to support weight of rock?

[carlfsk]

When you guys do aqauscapeing using heavy rock, do you place anything underneath the rocks inside the tank to support the weight of the rocks?

Usually, I will place a styrofoam underneath the tank, which is a standard practice. On top of that, I will place a styrofoam underneath the rock, inside the tank, to support/spread the weight of the rocks.

But now I have this problem with the Juwel tank, which is rested on the plastic skirting which surrounds the four base side of the tank. With this skirting, the center base of the tank is not actually rested / touching base-to-base with the cabinet top. In other words, there is a gap in between the center base of the tank and the cabinet top. So when we place a rock (heavy) in the tank, the weight is not spread out, but focus on a single spot on the glass. I am worried this focus pressure will break the glass.

I am thinking placing a pc of plywood in the tank as base support. The plywood should be able to withstand the rocks.

So now my question:

Will this pc of plywood rot over time or even warp to the extend that it will moves the rock scape or even be protruding out of the gravel?

[Rupert]

I went to Ikea and bought 3 plastic chopping boards, they were quite thin and there was a number of size choices. You might want to try the same.

[carlfsk]

Hey Rupert, thanks for the idea.

But do they have a size bigger to cover the base area of the tank?

Ok, my intention. The skirting or rather they call it the base hood, have a middle plastic support, supporting the center of the glass tank on the cabinet top. So, there're in total 3 support supporting the tank on the cabinet top. That is the center, the left and the right support (of course front and back). I intend to rest the plywood from this center support to the left side support. This will give me a balance support for my rock scape , which rest on the left side of the tank.

As above, I will require a pc of solid wood plank that are large enough to rest from the center support to the left support (base hood). The length roughly will be at least 51cm, since the tank is 101cm long.

But if the plywood do not rot, or rather more concerned about warping, to the extend of protruding out of the gravel, I will just use the plywood. If it really warp, I will be having problems later on, to the extend of tearing down the scape.

Anyone have experience with plywood in this respect?

PS: sorry for the long post, just trying hard to explain my situation.

[Morgan01]

How about over a thin layer of gravel as cushion?

[carlfsk]

Think the cushion won't help much because the main pc of rock weight over 15kg.

A bit headache now even though Sam Yick assure me the tank can take the weight.

[freezze]

shall be ok , unless u rest a point load directly on the glass. for me i place the rock on a layer of gravel.

[bryan]

Use eggcrates(light diffuser). Found outside C328 behind the pillar. Marine guys use it to protect the tank base if the live rocks happen to tumble or someone drops it while setting up.

[carlfsk]

hmm...egg crates sounds like a great idea...

[Jervis]

Yes egg crate is an industry standard for such purpose

[carlfsk]

But back to my initial question, will plywood warp under water till it will protrude out of the the gravel?

Because I be helping a friend in the setup in few hours time. Thus in such short time frame, probably I won't be able to get hold of some crates.

Actually, in my mind now, I just whack and use the plywood...

[blue33]

Egg crates is the best method to distribute the loads.

[blue33]

But back to my initial question, will plywood warp under water till it will protrude out of the the gravel?

Because I be helping a friend in the setup in few hours time. Thus in such short time frame, probably I won't be able to get hold of some crates.

Actually, in my mind now, I just whack and use the plywood...

Plywood will deteriorate over time, due carbonic water etc etc...

[fireblade]

think if you want your friend/you to worry less , better use egg crate!!
think quite a number of shops sell it..