Foam background question

[phenom5]

Got a question for those of you that have experience with the spray on foam background stuff.

I was thinking of building an acrylic box to hid some of my pumps...think of an overflow without the drain. Then using the spary-on foam to make it look more like rock that an acrylic box.

Is there something that I can use to create flat sides of the foam? I want to make this look as natural as possible, almost like a piece of rock that is coming out of the back glass of my tank. Could I use a piece of plywood and then remove the acrylic box, and foam leaving a flat surface so it mounts flush on the back glass of my tank?

Also, is there stuff that cures to a different color? I've used Great Stuff for the waterfall on my pond, but it cures to a not so nice yellow color.

Thanks, I hope this makes sense, I've got too much blood in my coffee system.

 

[rppvt]

so you're thinking of making the boxes removable? in that case I do know that all expandable foams are workable after they set, in that you can cut and sand them. I've been known to use a serrated knife to shape it. Granted, the cells you expose after cutting will not be closed and the surface won't be as smooth unless you fine sand it, or until it acquires corraline algae, but that's your choice. You could also form a flat mold and line it with saran wrap until the foam sets and then remove both to get a shiny flat edge. I hope this helps.

 

[phenom5]

Not so much removable, but I want the look of the foam spreading on to the back glass of the tank, without actually spraying the foam directly onto the back glass of the tank. Since the tank is up and running, and the box will be made and then mounted in the tank. I guess I could cut/ sand it. I was also think of lining the plywood with something so I could create the flat edge. It doesn't need to be perfect, just relatively flat.

Thanks.

 

[phenom5]

Not so much removable, but I want the look of the foam spreading on to the back glass of the tank, without actually spraying the foam directly onto the back glass of the tank. Since the tank is up and running, and the box will be made and then mounted in the tank. I guess I could cut/ sand it. I was also think of lining the plywood with something so I could create the flat edge. It doesn't need to be perfect, just relatively flat.

Thanks.

 

[Kentanner11]

I kind of have a clue of what you are saying. you want something similar to a false back in a nano tank? In any case If you use just foam on a piece of acrylic with out attaching it to the tank or weighing it down it will float.

 

[phenom5]

you want something similar to a false back in a nano tank? In any case If you use just foam on a piece of acrylic with out attaching it to the tank or weighing it down it will float.

Not exactly. I'm talking about an acrylic box...say 8"x8"x4" attached using a magnetic PH holder. But I've scraped that idea anyway. I'm not sure if the box would be big enough to keep the pumps from running dry, and I don't think it would look right, no matter how much foam I put on it. I'm going to hold off, and work on rigging up some sort of CL.

Thanks though.

 

[Kentanner11]

sure, be sure to post pic(s) of your CL rig.

 

[shuskins]

i actually just foamed the back of my tank 2 days ago. Its extremely easy and if you want it not against your tank just use egg crate and then put in some rocks and argonite using fiberglass resin to weigh it down and make it look slightly more real.... you can buy the stuff from southwest for like $13.99 or for $7.99 from dr. fosters and smith or whatever online. If you need help with specifically the foaming part i would love to spray it for you even though each can lasts about 1 minute haha.... its funny how fast this hobby eats $$$

 

[cerreta]

The Handi-foam at Fosters Smith is a charcoal gray color.
Cheers

 

[shuskins]

yeah that is the foam that i used. Same stuff.... here are a few pics of it.... just to show how little you get out of one can....haha

 

[shuskins]

oh and i kept it not flush on the left side to put heater, powerhead and such.... so for a 55-80 i would recommend 4 cans