[mike31154]

This is why I've used sections of ABS pipe with holes in them. They don't take up the whole bottom like a rack of eggcrate, although you could cut that into sections as well. Other advantages of the ABS is that you can silicone the individual pieces to the bottom so they don't shift, you can cut them different sizes & shapes to accomodate rock shapes, holes & sections allow movement of sand & don't obstruct sand sifters as much. Having the rock elevated above the bottom this way allows more of it to be out of the sandbed & I think aid in filtration. My female Maroon clownfish has blown much of the sand away around her territory partially exposing a couple sections of the ABS, but eventually it gets covered with coralline, so not as much of an eyesore as white eggrate. The eggcrate should get coralline on it with time too though, I would think. When your tank is dry is the perfect time to do some planning & you can make the ABS technique work to your advantage when scaping. It's probably easier to remove individual pieces of ABS as well, rather than trying to get a large piece of eggrate out of there if you change your mind.