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Aquarist Forums => Equipment / DIY => Topic started by: freshfishies on February 12, 2010, 10:15:34 AM

Title: egg crate
Post by: freshfishies on February 12, 2010, 10:15:34 AM
Okay...quite obviously a newbie because I'm going to ask a question everyone will think is silly I'm sure....
what is egg crate? I keep picturing an egg carton :-\
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: gemmate on February 12, 2010, 10:29:36 AM
Quote from: freshfishies on February 12, 2010, 10:15:34 AM
Okay...quite obviously a newbie because I'm going to ask a question everyone will think is silly I'm sure....
what is egg crate? I keep picturing an egg carton :-\


Here is the picture and you can buy them in lighting department of Home Depot for about 10 bucks.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: freshfishies on February 12, 2010, 10:58:57 AM
ooooooh! haha! thank you :)

While I'm at it...what are the common uses for it?
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: 93GTCANADA on February 12, 2010, 11:01:42 AM
people usually use them to put on top of tanks so fish don't jump out. but they are multiple uses for it.
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: JD on February 12, 2010, 11:18:35 AM
I use it for frag racks or to segregate my tank while maintaining flow. I put macro algae in one end of the sump and keep it there using the egg crate. I have also used it to separate aggressive fish too.
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: garnpet on February 12, 2010, 11:36:43 AM
It's also used in the bottom of tanks with large rocks.  It helps to disribute the weight of the rocks.
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: ajm1961 on February 12, 2010, 12:28:01 PM
It's also a good idea to put some at the bottom of your tank, with the substrate and rocks on top of it, to keep some cichlids and other digging fish from destabilizing your rock structure.
Here's  a video link from Cichlid-forum that talks about installing 'egg crate' in your aquarium.
Cheers!

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/videos/eggcrate.php
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: Rob Labonte on February 12, 2010, 05:54:27 PM
IF ANYONE WANTS FREE EGGCRATE, I HAVE A PIECE THAT 2FOOT BY 3-4 FOOT?

GOING IN THE GARBAGE SOON IF NO-ONE WANTS IT.
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: freshfishies on February 12, 2010, 07:33:11 PM
Thanks for the info!
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: mikerobart on February 12, 2010, 07:40:25 PM
I have used it to build a frag rack, as well as a stand for my skimmer to get it in the proper water level  :)
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: Hookup on February 12, 2010, 08:35:01 PM
In a salt-system it is a really bad idea to use it under your rocks.  Not sure if the same end-result happens in fresh, i'd guess not from the above posts.

The squares make mini-zones that cannot get turned-over and cleaned.  Over time this creates buildup and starts to lean nutrients into the system like nitrate...   This has been identified as one of the most likely causes of "old tank syndrome" which is inexplicable crashing of salt-systems after several years of perfect running.

I strongly suggest you do not use them in this capacity.
Title: Re: egg crate
Post by: fischkopp on February 13, 2010, 02:14:28 AM
Quote from: Hookup on February 12, 2010, 08:35:01 PM
The squares make mini-zones that cannot get turned-over and cleaned. 

That wouldn't be a good thing in any aquatic system, fresh or salt. In fresh water systems you can have plants that will use up those nutrient through their roots, and there are Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS - not to be mixed up with multiple tank syndrome in this case) that spend most of their life in the gravel-bed and turn it around all day long.