Live rock--place on sand or tank bottom?

[otrlynn]

I think that I have read that live rock should be placed directly on the tank bottom rather than on top of the sand so that the rocks don't topple in the case of sand sifting creatures burrowing. I am worried that the rock could scratch the glass if placed directly on the bottom...Could I put down about a half inch of sand, then the rock, then the last inch and a half of sand? I will be moving hermits, snails, fish etc. from an older tank but don't really have anything that burrows. I have a brittle star and I often see him between rocks and I don't know if he goes into the substrate but I've never seen it.

[J-Burns]

I would put it on the bottom. A scratch on the bottom should not matter. If you put them on sand and they topple over they may break the glass. JMOP

[TXStateUnivReef]

i have never had a problem with this put it on the sand bed or if you want to you could build a PVC rack to hold your rock up off the bottom for better circulation

[ahullsb]

I would place the rock on the bottom as well. I have heard that too much rock sitting on top of the sand bed can create dead spots underneath over time, that can lead to problems.

[dickhordishay]

Well my new pistol digs under all of the rocks. They probably would have toppled by now if I placed them on the sand.

[Blown 346]

I have done both on the top of the sand and on the tank itself then placed sand around the rock. I havent had issued either way, and have sand sifters. But like said above, the burrowers can cause rock to shift if the rock isnt stabile in every other aspect.

To play it safe if youy are going to have sand sifters I would place it on the tank then put your sand in.

[snakeklr]

Ive placed mine on bottom on all my tanks. If you dont now you will later on when you do decide on a sand shifter or if you get some fish that likes to move the dirt himself.

[snagged by reef]

i have mine on a stand made of pvc tubing and acrilic shelf. the stand is hidden with LR but this keeps even less build up of everything. i have one power head directed towards thsi area to keep the flow going. again, it prevents build up of decaying matter and also lessens the weight load of rock.