Is this a good layout for PVC pieces for a false bottom?

[LoveMyCrabbos]

-Tank measurements: 48" long x 18" wide
-Each PVC cap is 3" in diameter
-The gap in the lower right corner is where the drainage pipe will go

Any feedback would be very much appreciated

Also this is my first post, hi!

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[aussieJJDude]

Id pop a little notch so it stops the buildup of water underneath every cap. I think its on the right track.

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[LoveMyCrabbos]

Thanks man, I just notched all the bottoms with a dremel today! Appreciate it.

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[Astone]

What is the purpose of the false bottom for the crabs? I have seen someone else do this also and I'm just curious

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[LoveMyCrabbos]

For drainage, to prevent lethal flooding, and hopefully to prevent dangerous bacterial blooms from standing water!

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[Astone]

Oh makes sense thank you!

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[Hermies Conrad]

Curious- do you also put a plug in the bottom in order to drain the water?

[LoveMyCrabbos]

I haven't, but I'm sure some people do. I have a side piece of PVC that comes all the way up to the top of the tank so that I can drain water through there if need be!

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[Enson]

If you haven't already, some piccolo holes in the vertical pvc pipe through the substrate height will help catch water and drain it to the bottom quicker so it can be then sucked out.

I would recommend a load test (125% of your expected weight) across the caps before adding substrate. The reason being, glass and stress concentrations don't mix well. Using solid caps with the flat down is definitely better than the ones I've seen with pvc pipe laying flat (cylinder edges are very bad stress concentrations).

Just some thoughts! Looks good so far.

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[wodesorel]

Keep in mind that substrate can still become oversaturated with bacterial blooms happening in the middle of the mass, even when suspended with a false bottom. It's a tool, but it is not a cure!