Hardscape Cushioning

I read that when installing hardscape that I should put a piece of Styrofoam underneath the rock. The purpose being that a piece of sand does not move between the rock and the bottom of the aquarium causing a crack.

Do others commonly use this method?

What other precautions are taking for using large rocks in hardscaping?

Eggcrate. Flourescent light louvre from Home Depot or Lowes.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202025149/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=light+louver&storeId=10051

I wouldn't set up an African tank without it. I doubt it's really necessary in a discus tank, but there's nothing like peace of mind.

Either its lowes or Home Depot that sells the egg crate(light diffuser) that's only 1/2" thick. The other place sells the regular egg crate that's about 1" thick. I'd go with the thinner one. You can also use a thin sheet if acrylic, say about 1/8"-1/4" thick sheet. Remember to always place the rocks first then fill with sand. This prevents a tall rock pile from having a land slide and killing your fish. I've seen many cichlids kill themselves by having a cave-in from digging where they shouldn't have. I wouldn't use styrofoam inside a tank, too tough keeping it from floating. Big cichlids would easily rip it apart and you'll end up with styrofoam pieces floating around everywhere.

Nothing more to add other than Egg crate is avail as scrap at the big box stores and it's possible to walk out without a charge... I'm cheap..

I never put anything down and have had hundreds of pounds of rock in tanks and have never had an issue. 150+lbs all stacked up in a 120g tall and the same in a 125g, both stands were standard issue with the tank just resting on the edges.
Just set up like you normally would.

The only real worry is the rocks falling down......

I didn't end up using anything either.

My hardscape isn't that heavy I don't think.

COCOBIRD wrote:I didn't end up using anything either.

My hardscape isn't that heavy I don't think.

I looked at your pics that you just uploaded on facebook. You have nothing to worry about.

I agree with both Fern and Veesee.. Plus, the aquascaping looks great! I can envision the Discus roaming the tank!.. AND.. you forgot to pick up some seeded filter media when you picked up the plants.. I've jump-started tanks in less than a week with donated seedings. Bill