Foam & Live Rock commbo

[Tiggsy]

The foam forms a "skin" within seconds so adding gravel or anything else just after applying the foam isnt very effective.

3 other reasons -

1. i wanted to cut off ALL excess foam once dry to stop it floating...so didnt want to work with the un-set foam.

2. the epoxy is TOUGH....no bits of foam break off when you handle it (although you can still stab a hole in it with a screwdriver to create a frag "plug hole"

3. never used epoxy before but remembered Tackleberry used it on his helmet in Police Academy....no idea why but always wanted to have a go with it after that!

 

[rick17]

i was goig to reascape my rockwork whit a rack but this is beautiful rockwork my question is you say it doesnt need to cure so could i make something like you did and put it in a already established reef ( could let it soak in salt water a couple of day's ) and the epoxy what kind was it or does it matter

 

[Tiggsy]

Once it is dry (a day) there is nothing further to happen to it. my sump system holds hundreds of pounds of fish.....i am confident they will be unaffected when its hooked to the display.

 

[rick17]

and for the epoxy what kind was it or does it matter

 

[navyav8tr]

This is just awesome. I love the video, really puts it into perspective.

 

[green_frogspawn]

that looks sweet man great job!

 

[cdentii1]

That is truly ingenious.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Tiggsy]

thanks for all the nice comments.

as for the epoxy - its called "two part finishing resin" - i think its the same stuff used for making fibreglass stuff (i get it from a little modle shop)

 

[steveo32]

Tiggsy like I said before great work !!! You can't even tell that you used any foam it looks like its one big rock.

 

[Tiggsy]

Cant wait to get some sand and water in there! Will look even better when you cant see the base of the tank or the crate.

 

[cdentii1]

lots of pics please......

 

[SpareParts]

I'm building a tank with dimensions close to yours. My 150 is 48 x 24 x 30 tall. May I ask what kind of lighting you are using? I think I may attempt building a foam structure like you've built. I like the way the bottoms are flat and also can be snugged nicely against the back walls. Will you be adding any additional 'live' rock after you get your system running? Something to seed your base rock and sand?

General question: what US etailer has good prices on dry base rock like Tiggsy is using here?

Thanks!

 

[cdentii1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10739238#post10739238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SpareParts
I'm building a tank with dimensions close to yours. My 150 is 48 x 24 x 30 tall. May I ask what kind of lighting you are using? I think I may attempt building a foam structure like you've built. I like the way the bottoms are flat and also can be snugged nicely against the back walls. Will you be adding any additional 'live' rock after you get your system running? Something to seed your base rock and sand?

General question: what US etailer has good prices on dry base rock like Tiggsy is using here?

Thanks!

Check out
www.marcorocks.com
There in some detailed pics of what I ordered on the 2nd page of my build thread. I can safely say It is better than most live rock I have ever seen.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=973300&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[cdentii1]

BTW the rock I received took the full 6 weeks to cure.

 

[Keelay]

Gosh.

You are an artist.. Nice work. I will try my best to copy you.

 

[Tiggsy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10739238#post10739238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SpareParts
I'm building a tank with dimensions close to yours. My 150 is 48 x 24 x 30 tall. May I ask what kind of lighting you are using?

Will you be adding any additional 'live' rock after you get your system running? Something to seed your base rock and sand?

I am going with two 400w halides - because of the 30" height and because i have a giagantea nem.

As for live rock - i already have 60kg in my sump shed so wont need anymore (thers about 60-70kg in the foam)......once the live stock goes to the display i can REALLY up the flow in the sump by adding loads of seios to the section holding the rock. That, and my very open rock in the display (once live) will add up to some pretty effecent live rock! (i also have a seperate sump holding a 4X2 X6" DSB.....so i am pretty happy with filtration (and a 6ft tall skimmer )

 

[luv951]

Can I nominate for the next thread of the month. Trully great. Beautiful work!!!!

 

[Tiggsy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10747544#post10747544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luv951
Can I nominate for the next thread of the month.

Wow...of course!

 

[Tiggsy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10747544#post10747544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luv951
Can I nominate for the next thread of the month.

Wow...of course!

 

[Tiggsy]

Ok, last few pics until its wet!

I have settled on the layout shown with a single tower.....i can always make other islands with loose rock in the future if needed.

All thats left is to trim away any excess black crate on the bases (although my shallow sand bed will cover these anyway) and then stick the bases and the backs to the glass with silicone. I will stick the backs by running a bead of silicobe between the very small gap between the glass and the rock - i can then add rubble and sand to the wet silicone and it will mask any gap and make the rock fit perfectly flush to the tank bank (yet be easy to slice off if needed in the future.

Cant wait to get the sand in - i think hiding the glass base will make a rea; difference to the "look" of the whole thng.


From the right

the left end

closer

closer still - the nooks and holes are so hard to show on camera (especaly my cheap nasty one!) but there are so many gaps leading to the hollow rear section (which is compltely hidden from view) that i am confident i can stock this thing heavy and still have every fish disapear from view in a flash!