Falling rocks? How to cushion tank bottom.

[equinom]

Getting ready to add buch of rocks for the cichlid tank (new setup) and concerned about falling rocks.  I've read about people putting egg cartons on the bottom, some use PVC pipe, and of course there is always glueing the rocks together so they can't fall.

I don't want to glue the rocks, what if I want to redecorate?
If I add/change fishes, I need to be able to alter "territories", correct?

Wouldn't the cardboard egg cartons get squished and disintegrate?   And there must be chemicals in there...


Do you folks do anything special to the tank bottom? I'm ready to add the special africn cichlid gravel (60 lbs)  and if I should protect the bottom, now would be the time...

 

[Atlantic Fish]

ive never heard of protecting the bottom, i wouldnt use cardboard type material, it will break down.  how about the plastic square stuff they use for floresent celing lights?? that would prob work and would not break down, and its not expensive.  i need some ideas too, im doing another cichlid tank

 

[Somonas]

Stick in a 1/2" sheet of styrofoam on the bottom glass, add your substrate and add your rocks

then again if a 60 pound rock is heading towards the centre of the earth a 1/2" sheet of styrofoam will not prevent it from passing through the aquarium on it's way down

but it WILL prevent scratches, and pressure points and to that I say  *thumbsup2*  styrofoam.   Get the pink kind, or the blue kind, in sheets at Home Depot, dont get the white kind it has little balls which can fall off.