Foam rock wall

[janes_mw]

Why dosnt it go all the way to the bottom glass?

As I add Live rock to the bottom, no need. It is at a height that allows me to run peaks and valleys. Done this on all my foam rock walls in the past. Just saves time and less messing around since it is going to be covered with live rock anyway.

mike

 

[rogergolf66]

Can water get behind it?

 

[janes_mw]

Can water get behind it?

Hi Roger. Not sure if your talking about the live rock or the foam wall. The live rock will be at least 2 inches set out so fish and water flow can freely get in behind. The foam wall, no. The foam in this case was applied directly to the acrylic and then the gorilla glue was spread thoroughly over the foam and all edges. Not sure if you have ever used gorilla glue or not but it actually foams and fills all voids and then hardens to a very stiff/hard surface. So the bottom and top of the foam wall have a dual coating to make sure the edges are sealed well.

I am a fan of huge water flow in the tank so I am starting with two RW-20s for flow with an MP-40 kicker if needed.

mike

 

[rfgonzo]

Hi Roger. Not sure if your talking about the live rock or the foam wall. The live rock will be at least 2 inches set out so fish and water flow can freely get in behind. The foam wall, no. The foam in this case was applied directly to the acrylic and then the gorilla glue was spread thoroughly over the foam and all edges. Not sure if you have ever used gorilla glue or not but it actually foams and fills all voids and then hardens to a very stiff/hard surface. So the bottom and top of the foam wall have a dual coating to make sure the edges are sealed well.

I am a fan of huge water flow in the tank so I am starting with two RW-20s for flow with an MP-40 kicker if needed.

mike

Question, I've done plenty of Rock walls on glass but never on an acrylic aquarium. Is their a reason you used gorilla glue over silicone to attach your Rock wall to the acrylic? does the GG work better on acrylic then silicone? I know silicone does not really bond to acrylic just curious if gorilla glue does?

 

[janes_mw]

Question, I've done plenty of Rock walls on glass but never on an acrylic aquarium. Is their a reason you used gorilla glue over silicone to attach your Rock wall to the acrylic? does the GG work better on acrylic then silicone? I know silicone does not really bond to acrylic just curious if gorilla glue does?

The Gorilla glue is used to bond the aggregate to the foam in lieu of epoxy. In this last one I did (on the 300 gallon), I applied the foam directly to the acrylic back after making sure it was cleaned and grease film free. After foam cured for a few days, I then applied the gorilla glue and covered with aggregate, let dry and vacuumed off the excess.

mike

 

[rogergolf66]

I'm guessing the spray foam will not stick to the glass only acrylic?

 

[CStrickland]

The Gorilla glue is used to bond the aggregate to the foam in lieu of epoxy. In this last one I did (on the 300 gallon), I applied the foam directly to the acrylic back after making sure it was cleaned and grease film free. After foam cured for a few days, I then applied the gorilla glue and covered with aggregate, let dry and vacuumed off the excess.

I got frustrated and used gorilla glue to hold my rocks together and it worked really really well. But I've had a little worry in the back of my mind ever since because you hear it isn't "reef-safe." It sounds like you've have it on there for a while with no ill effects, and I guess that if the uv from your lights was gonna degrade it that would've happened quick being on a rock wall like that.

I'd use it a lot more if I felt confident in it, really solid stuff. Were you scared at first to try it?

 

[janes_mw]

I got frustrated and used gorilla glue to hold my rocks together and it worked really really well. But I've had a little worry in the back of my mind ever since because you hear it isn't "reef-safe." It sounds like you've have it on there for a while with no ill effects, and I guess that if the uv from your lights was gonna degrade it that would've happened quick being on a rock wall like that.

I'd use it a lot more if I felt confident in it, really solid stuff. Were you scared at first to try it?

I have had my 120 up and running for a year now and no issues at all. My 300 has been running for about 6 weeks and nothing. Pretty sure I have read that even Gorrilla Glue mfg says once cured, reef safe. I had no reservations at all .

 

[Artopia]

I have a question about the pond foam. I did a background for my freshwater tank some years ago using foam insulation covered with cement covered with marine resin, which worked well but I found the foam board difficult to work with. I decided to give the pond foam a try for my new sw build.

Here's my question: it is OK to use completely un-covered pond foam in the tank, even if you cut off the 'skin'? I foamed my background pieces and did not like the resulting 'petrified poo' look so I decided to carve it back and cover THAT with the cement/resin procedure. However after carving it back I have decided the exposed bubbles etc look rather attractive - something like lava rocks it seems to me - and I am tempted to leave it as is. Thoughts?

 

[rfgonzo]

You don't want any exposed foam, UV from your lights will destroy the foam.

 

[Artopia]

I thought the black pond foam was not sensitive to UV. I guess I can go ahead and cement/resin it.

 

[rfgonzo]

I thought the black pond foam was not sensitive to UV. I guess I can go ahead and cement/resin it.

My fault, I didn't see you said (black) I'm not familiar with that foam, but I think it does have UV resistance.

 

[Artopia]

I think I just said pond foam so not your fault! I think that yellow stuff is pond foam too, I should have clarified. Do you think there could be any problem (or maybe a benefit?) to all the nooks and crannies that the exposed bubbles create?

 

[Artopia]

PS - slick boat!

 

[rfgonzo]

I think I just said pond foam so not your fault! I think that yellow stuff is pond foam too, I should have clarified. Do you think there could be any problem (or maybe a benefit?) to all the nooks and crannies that the exposed bubbles create?

Not sure, every rock wall I have made I always covered in sand and resin.

 

[rfgonzo]

PS - slick boat!

Thanks, It's for sale :dance: Going bigger and faster!!!!!

 

[Artopia]

I can't afford a boat, I am building a nano reef! *giggle* I've resisted trying saltwater for years because I doubt my self control to not buy fish or corals that are way outside my budget.... but here I am in all my noob glory. A lifetime of freshwater experience but it's a whole new world for me now.

 

[rfgonzo]

Just keep asking questions, read the stickies and you should be successful. Never move fast in this hobby only bad things happen fast.

 

[Artopia]

That's good advice. Fortunately for me I am not an impatient sort, and get a great deal of satisfaction out of learning and watching. I spent a couple of weeks discovering the vast variety of 'critters' that came along with the established 30g half cylinder I bought as my 'training wheels'. (Truly fascinating, even if I've discovered that most of them are pests.) I've spent as much as I paid for it getting better gear (which admittedly, I got a bargain - the light fixture and the tank itself was worth more than the 250 I paid for it). Now it's all sitting in buckets and the sump while I have the tank drilled and am fitting it with a background and setting up the new sump. Slowly but surely...