Doug's 300DD Starphire Reef Build

[Lytehouse]

Pretty cool Doug,

Little more info on picking the rocks and what foam product you used.

 

[Reef Happy]

Thanks Lynn. I get the foam from Home Depot.

 

[mr9iron]

Tagging along. This is going to be really cool.

 

[jakeh24]

nice

will be following along for sure

 

[mdiddy7s]

Pretty cool Doug. Looking forward to seeing it.
Mike D

 

[Reef Happy]

Pretty cool Doug. Looking forward to seeing it.
Mike D

Thanks everyone for the compliments. Repost pics that were deleted. And add one to boot...

 

[Lytehouse]

now you went and spilled something on all that hard work....

 

[Reef Happy]

Some kind of marine parasite...

 

[Tek]

Would that foam work to hold an arch together?

 

[Reef Happy]

Would that foam work to hold an arch together?

I don't think just the foam would. I would use the acrylic rods to hold the weight up especially if it is a large arch. Here is a thread that might be interesting.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1438807

 

[rpjaws74]

thats very interesting, cant wait to see the end result. keep pictures coming looking nice

 

[FTexas]

Tek, i used the foam on both my very large pillars, and i have 8 lb ledges overhanging in various directions. you have to dry out the rock you plan to create your arch out of, then drill tiny holes so you can zip tie the rocks together, you can use the pond foam as a glue or adhesive, then cover it in resin and sand, and it will hold up guaranteed. i used rod to pin things together in some places thinking the foam wouldnt be sturdy enough, but i must say now that it is done the faom could probably hold a house together

 

[jt48]

Very nice, will be looking forward to updates

 

[visiontech4x4]

Every reefers dream, the big one. I can't wait til I buy my house.

 

[Reef Happy]

thats very interesting, cant wait to see the end result. keep pictures coming looking nice

I will keep the pictures coming. Believe me I can wait for the end result. It has been a long time coming.

 

[Reef Happy]

Tek, i used the foam on both my very large pillars, and i have 8 lb ledges overhanging in various directions. you have to dry out the rock you plan to create your arch out of, then drill tiny holes so you can zip tie the rocks together, you can use the pond foam as a glue or adhesive, then cover it in resin and sand, and it will hold up guaranteed. i used rod to pin things together in some places thinking the foam wouldnt be sturdy enough, but i must say now that it is done the faom could probably hold a house together

Tek, I would have to agree with ftexas. Zip ties will hold alot of weight along with the foam. Personally I would want the protection of the zip ties or rods. And when the resin is applied to the pond foam you have very strong arches and overhangs.

 

[Tek]

I was thinking about a short rock stable arch with the foam just for extra support from rocking or bumps. Nothing crazy for a little 65g.

 

[Reef Happy]

And some pics of foam rock wall almost complete. Need some touch up on some spots to cover all foam. Haven't applied resin to back as of yet.

 

[Reef Happy]

 

[Lucidbeam]

Nice build so far. Can't wait to see the tank up and running.