Lifting LR off DSB

[Allyson]

Going to start construction of some type of "grid" to lift the LR off the DSB. DSB will be 4"....trying to decide between a grid of PVC vs the eggcrate (lighting) stuff.

The eggcrate sounds like the easier way to go....no cutting and lashing of pvc, but it has so many squares that will make closed off pockets of sand in the bed. Wouldn't this be a bad thing...compacting the sand which is what I'm trying to avoid by constructing this thing in the first place?

I don't want to see the "lift", whatever I use...therefore, is it okay to have the height of the "lift" say 3" with 1" sand on top. Or is that again defeating the purpose?

[kwjones]

Personally, I think the PVC is easier to hide. If you know how deep your sand bed is going to be, cut the PVC pipe an inch or two longer. PVC pipe cutters are really quick and easy and they don't make a mess. Next, take a drill and put several holes in the PVC, think Swiss Cheese, push the pipes down into the sand where your rock would be touching and stack your rocks on the exposed pipe. Three points per rock gives good stability depending on the shape of the rock, some need less, some need more.

[Allyson]

Oh! So instead of building a "grid" like graph paper, you put down your sandbed and then push "slices" of pvc where your LR is going to go. And the swiss cheese holes alllow the critters to roam around. Do I have it right? (Actually that's what my husband said to do. Good thing I said "Sounds like a good idea. Let's think on it". Instead of saying he was crazy. Otherwise I'd be eating lots of crow this weekend.)

Sound's easier then measuring out pipe to fit around my overflow, not too close to the glass, etc. and lashing it.
Any other ideas from others are still welcome.

[kwjones]

That's pretty much it...Swiss Cheese PVC stilts for LR.