Egg crate can I cut it with a skil saw?

[jarrodaden]

Where do you buy this? Lowes?

[Enin]

Home depot, in the lighting area.

[wesleydnunder]

The egg crate diffuser they sell at HD is thinner than I like. Electrical supply houses sell it also, in sheets 1/2" thick. I think they can order thicker.

Some of the ones to call are: CED, Consolidated Electrical Distributors; Elliot Electrical Supply; Wholesale Electric

Mark

[Darbex]

I would say it depends on how much rock work you are doing. If its really heavy then you might want to go with Mark on the electrical outlets. But if its the average amount then HD is fine. I never had a problem with it.

[jarrodaden]

This is the closest picture that I can find to my design goal.

slate1.jpg

[mark razmandi]

i always have used HD ones. never had a problem.

[jarrodaden]

$12 for a 2' x 4' sheet. I wasn't expecting that. I figure it is less expensive than replacing my tank though...

I bought about 400 pounds of rock today. I am not sure that I will use it all, but I didn't want to make a second trip. $0.17 / pound for any color of flagstone they sell at Beltway 8 and SH 288. At the other places I have been to, they didn't have many open bundles. This place had about 6 different colors of flagstone in the "pick n choose" area. I am not completely delighted with the color that I got, but I think it will look better when wet and clean.

[jarrodaden]

Will a skil saw work for cutting this stuff?

[freespool]

I just used wire cutters. it breaks easily. tin snips would also work

[mgarrido]

Use wire cutters

[FrontosaurusRex]

I used a screw driver and just ran in down through the egg crate. Worked quickly and efficiently. You don't need 400lbs of rock unless you have a really big tank. My 180g has 200lbs and its full. Good luck.

[jarrodaden]

I figured that I bought too much rock. I'd rather pay 17 cents / pound than $2.85 / gallon though.

After tinkering with the egg crate a bit more, I wanted to give my opinion on the value of having this in the bottom of the tank. From the threads that I have read, I got the impression that this material would help to distribute heavy loads like rock across the bottom of the entire tank. As an Engineer, I call tell you that it will distribute the loads to some degree but only in the immediate vicinity of the heavy load. The material is too flexible to distribute weight any considerable distance.

That said, I sharp point of a load (which might easily break the bottom glass) will be distributed nicely. You also have protection if you inadvertantly drop something into the tank when there is no water. In short, good material which I recommend but don't overestimate the benefit.

[algarciajr]

I used a screw driver and just ran in down through the egg crate. Worked quickly and efficiently.

+1 that what I use.