To crate or not to crate?

[jhb]

I've had a 125 gal. combo set up with about 75 lbs. of live rock set on the bottom for 8 mo. All has gone well until recent increases of nitrates. I was advised to break it down and set my rock on a 1" eggcrate with a 1400 powerhead underneath to blow the detritus to the opposite end. Everything I read says this is old school and I can just imagine having to do additional breakdowns if something goes underneath and dies. What's your opinion? I know I probably need more rock and will get some. But I want to set this up right .

 

[monkeyboy]

Definitely old school, IMO.

I'm not a big fan of bare-bottom reefs. IMO, you should put in a nice deep live sand bed. Use the search function to do a search for live sand beds or DSB and you should get all the info you will ever need, and then some. Deep sand beds afford nitrate controll, good nutrient processing, and a breeding ground for the critters that will become coral and fish food. Give it a shot!