Foam & Live Rock commbo
- Thread starter Tiggsy
- Start date
customcolor
New member
sara b... did you run ozone in your foamed tank? i do. and what was your ph too? me 7.9. just trying to figure out why i still have a hard shell on mine after 6 months still and you didnt after 8. heck it could be just the diff. brands of foam we used?
SaraB
Coral Killer
Nope, no Ozone was used and my PH ran about 7.9 to 8.1 depending on the time of day, of course. I can take pictures and foam samples as the tank is still sitting dry in my basement!
Here's the foam I used in my tank. It's the same foam as the TOTM /Sidewinder /Steve used on his: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...allpartial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=62728&Ntt=foam&Np=1
Here's the foam I used in my tank. It's the same foam as the TOTM /Sidewinder /Steve used on his: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...allpartial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=62728&Ntt=foam&Np=1
Vinnie71975
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11798793#post11798793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanBrucks
thanks for posting back on the foam issues, SaraB, Erics and Vinnie.
I'm definitely starting to think about this a bit more after hearing what you guys have to say.
For clarification, when people say 'pond foam' are they referring to 'handi foam'? I'm pretty sure the 'handi foam' was used originally in sidewinders tank.
Sara, I know what you're talking about WRT the outer seal layer. I've been using the Handi-Foam as an insulator for small spaces in the framework of my fishroom and I've had to cut it down with a razerblade because it expanded too much. inside its very spongey.
And Eric is right, there is no way to seal the whole surface area of the foam with epoxy. I just can't see how you'd do it, even if you tried. Unless you literally dipped the entire assembly - rocks sand and all - into a big vat of resin and coated the entire thing. But I dont think that sounds very feasible for many reasons
Hmmmmmm...... so what IS completely reef safe?? lol
I have a bunch of cut scraps of handifoam in the garage from my insulation work. Since they're cut the spongey part is exposed. I'm thinking of dropping them in a saltwater container for a few weeks and taking before/after pictures. I can also test the water.
The Epoxy is a Slow process its Applied with a paint brush, then sand is dumped over it. It can sometimes take hours with a brush making sure ALL of the exposed foam is covered, and sometimes a Second coat doesn't hurt.
Sara, I really cant explain why you had a problem and many others have not. i was going to say that maybe the Handi foam and Great stuff were Different but it turns out that Both are polyurethane Unless the formula used by great stuff is somehow chemically different. My best Guess and it is a GUESS would be something to do with the colorant in the Handi foam it is Black/gray and Great Stuff is Cream/neutral My guess is that the COLORANT was Leaching and that was what was causing the problem, considering great stuff doesn't have a colorant thats the best i can come up with. But it is, After all just a Guess.
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
I know you can do your best to cover the visible foam, but I am referring to all the back inside parts, beneath the eggcrate and within the incredibly porous rock. theres simply no way that you're keeping water from it 
only the parts you can easily see.
anybody know if the handifoam uses a separate colorant to achieve the dark grey color? Thats exactly the same stuff I have. I wont be too upset if I cant use it in my reef. works decent as insulation, its R-7 which is only a few steps below R-13 fiberglass insulation.
only the parts you can easily see. anybody know if the handifoam uses a separate colorant to achieve the dark grey color? Thats exactly the same stuff I have. I wont be too upset if I cant use it in my reef. works decent as insulation, its R-7 which is only a few steps below R-13 fiberglass insulation.
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
erics, which brand of foam are you using again?
Vinnie71975
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11801095#post11801095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanBrucks
I know you can do your best to cover the visible foam, but I am referring to all the back inside parts, beneath the eggcrate and within the incredibly porous rock. theres simply no way that you're keeping water from it
anybody know if the handifoam uses a separate colorant to achieve the dark grey color? Thats exactly the same stuff I have. I wont be too upset if I cant use it in my reef. works decent as insulation, its R-7 which is only a few steps below R-13 fiberglass insulation.
Thats why most of the Structures you see made this way tend to be very "Open" to allow easier coverage which is the mistake i made i was trying to be very elaborate and do long swim through tunnels. Which is part of the reason i scraped it and went with just Siliconing the rocks together with Aquarium Sealant.
cubano2480
In Memoriam
some up dates on the foanrocks is not finish yet just want to share and know what u guys think I likey anyway
is not finish yet just want to share and know what u guys think I likey anyway
cubano2480
In Memoriam
sure
Hello,
I am very excited about this concept. I have the light pannel, the zip ties, the rock, the drill, the bits, the epoxy, the crushed coral and the Great Stuff. The problem is, to make sure Great Stuff would really work and be "fish safe," I wrote to The Dow Chemical Company, gave them a link to this thread and asked what they thought of the idea. Here is their response:
Dear Ms. Kennedy,
Thank you for contacting the Dow Chemical Company.
Our regular GREAT STUFF(TM) products would not be recommended for this type of an application. They will absorb water over time and begin to break apart with constant exposure to water.
Our GREAT STUFF Pond and Stone product would be a better product for this application. This product is resistant to water and would not absorb water with constant exposure to it.
Pond & Stone is a polyurethane foam adhesive that can be used easily and cost-efficiently to enhance your yard. The product can be shaped and molded to create exquisite water features that help direct water flow over and around rocks in a waterfall, rather than under and in between. The black color allows it to blend among rocks and shadows. The product is fish safe and recognized by the International Professional Pond Contractors Association.
Additional applications include use in filling holes in living trees and securing cap stones in stone retaining walls. The black polyurethane foam is designed to bond to both porous and non-porous rocks and stones in a cost efficient manner.
A quicker and less expensive option than mortar, GREAT STUFF Pond & Stone Waterfall Foam Filler can also be used to set and secure the cap stones in a retaining wall. The black polyurethane foam is designed to bond to rocks and stones.
This product is carried by the distributors below:
www.truevalue.com
www.doitbest.com
www.acehardware.com
www.orgill.com
Regards,
Katherine
Dow Customer Information Group
1-800-800-3626
8AM-4PM CST M-F
www.dowpolyurethanesystems.com
This information is considered accurate and reliable as of the date appearing above and is presented in good faith. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, recipient is responsible for determining whether the information in this document is appropriate for recipient's use. Since Dow has no control over how this information may ultimately be used, all liability is expressly disclaimed and Dow assumes no obligation or liability therefore. No warranty, express or implied is given nor is freedom from any patent owned by The Dow Chemical Company or others to be inferred.
So, I notice they do not say it's NOT fish safe. Mainly they are concerned about the integrity of the product over time. I will let my husband make the final decision (he's at work) whether to use pond foam or Great Stuff. I can hardly wait; this will be our best aquarium set-up ever!
But I've just got to say I love, love, love this whole idea!! All of the tanks on this thread are awesome! Keep up the great ideas everyone.
Sherry in WY
I am very excited about this concept. I have the light pannel, the zip ties, the rock, the drill, the bits, the epoxy, the crushed coral and the Great Stuff. The problem is, to make sure Great Stuff would really work and be "fish safe," I wrote to The Dow Chemical Company, gave them a link to this thread and asked what they thought of the idea. Here is their response:
Dear Ms. Kennedy,
Thank you for contacting the Dow Chemical Company.
Our regular GREAT STUFF(TM) products would not be recommended for this type of an application. They will absorb water over time and begin to break apart with constant exposure to water.
Our GREAT STUFF Pond and Stone product would be a better product for this application. This product is resistant to water and would not absorb water with constant exposure to it.
Pond & Stone is a polyurethane foam adhesive that can be used easily and cost-efficiently to enhance your yard. The product can be shaped and molded to create exquisite water features that help direct water flow over and around rocks in a waterfall, rather than under and in between. The black color allows it to blend among rocks and shadows. The product is fish safe and recognized by the International Professional Pond Contractors Association.
Additional applications include use in filling holes in living trees and securing cap stones in stone retaining walls. The black polyurethane foam is designed to bond to both porous and non-porous rocks and stones in a cost efficient manner.
A quicker and less expensive option than mortar, GREAT STUFF Pond & Stone Waterfall Foam Filler can also be used to set and secure the cap stones in a retaining wall. The black polyurethane foam is designed to bond to rocks and stones.
This product is carried by the distributors below:
www.truevalue.com
www.doitbest.com
www.acehardware.com
www.orgill.com
Regards,
Katherine
Dow Customer Information Group
1-800-800-3626
8AM-4PM CST M-F
www.dowpolyurethanesystems.com
This information is considered accurate and reliable as of the date appearing above and is presented in good faith. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, recipient is responsible for determining whether the information in this document is appropriate for recipient's use. Since Dow has no control over how this information may ultimately be used, all liability is expressly disclaimed and Dow assumes no obligation or liability therefore. No warranty, express or implied is given nor is freedom from any patent owned by The Dow Chemical Company or others to be inferred.
So, I notice they do not say it's NOT fish safe. Mainly they are concerned about the integrity of the product over time. I will let my husband make the final decision (he's at work) whether to use pond foam or Great Stuff. I can hardly wait; this will be our best aquarium set-up ever!
But I've just got to say I love, love, love this whole idea!! All of the tanks on this thread are awesome! Keep up the great ideas everyone.
Sherry in WY
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
thanks for posting that Sherry! Definitely gives me alot more information than I had.
Handifoam says that its polyeurethane, so I wonder if its similar to the GreatStuff pond foam?
Handifoam says that its polyeurethane, so I wonder if its similar to the GreatStuff pond foam?
http://www.amazon.com/GREAT-STUFF-F...d_bbs_sr_7?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1204230836&sr=8-7
GREAT STUFF POND & STONE FILLER, SEALER AND ADHESIVE
Other products by GREAT STUFF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price: $10.86
Found this on Amazon.com
I hope this is the right stuff for the job. Is this a good price?
GREAT STUFF POND & STONE FILLER, SEALER AND ADHESIVE
Other products by GREAT STUFF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price: $10.86
Found this on Amazon.com
I hope this is the right stuff for the job. Is this a good price?
pledosophy
Active member
Re: Fish Safe....
Re: Fish Safe....
At no point did they say it was salt water safe.
IMHO I would still coat with resin to make sure it is enert.
JMO
Re: Fish Safe....
At no point did they say it was salt water safe.
IMHO I would still coat with resin to make sure it is enert.
JMO
Brandon Cassidy
New member
good looking rock work. I am thinking of renvating my tanks rock work now. Never even crossed my mind before.
OranguTang
NULL
Wow man, awesome tank! I am seriously thinking about tearing down my tank and doing some work like this.
