Foam stuff for the "rock work" look????

I was inspired by this thread initially, and even bought a two-part high density foam online before changing my mind and going with this:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=629149

Just another idea.

The foam I bought is from this site

http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html

the 16# kit of 8# urethane ("This 8LB density foam is extremely hard and rigid, like that of a soft wood. You fingernail can penetrate its skin, however it cannot be dented by hand. Uses include casting, carving, sculpting, sign making as well as areas where an extremely durable and rigid foam is needed for support.")

It seems ideal if you intend to pour a form rather than spray it. Nice and dense with less concern for breakdown. I was going to create a background with return plumbing embedded in it. Since it is "sculptable", I had lots of wild ideas. . .

If anyone is interested, I'll sell mine for 10$ (cost me 48$) plus shipping (was ~11$ for me)

My apologies if this offer is placed in the wrong place. I figure the info, at least, is appropriate.
 
Here's the progress on my 75 gallon foam backed SPS tank:

starting with this:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/a99636a0.jpg">

Ten or so months later:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0652.jpg">

Close up of a pocket I made for one of the three Tunze Streams in the tank:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0651.jpg">

I'm actually in the process of building a new 180 to transfer to...

d.
 
Next tank will be built with resin based epoxy...with a greater emphasis on detritous accumulation.

Here's a small (24"x24"x24) insert I built:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0672.jpg">

This pic show its modularity:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0673.jpg">

I pigmented the mud fairly dark...helps make the corals and fish 'pop' visually...

Enjoy!

d.
 
delv,

That looks awesome! Are you going w/ foam again w/ the 180... I remember mentioning that if you would do it all over again, you'd stay away from the foam.

Peace,
John H.
 
There's many reasons foam is less than optimal.

It's boyant (not the best under water).
Though it's a closed cell urethane it slowly becomes porous...porosity equals detritous accumulation.
It's not the easies to work with...fairly annoying to sculpt.
Structurally, it's useless...

The insert I built above has none of those negative aspects...it's really interesting stuff.
It can be tinted to whatever color you like (can also be painted if you really want to get artistic)...

d.
 
Price wise, it depends on the formula you use....ranges in price from obscenely expensive to very expensive.

There's the opportunity to have a truly custom designed and built display. Unlike those Royal Exclusive cindered ceramic rocks (that they advertise as custom....ha!....their idea of custom is like saying any shoe that fits my size 12 is custom to my foot...) you can have it built to your specific physical and aesthetic needs. Want to hide a overflow, no problem, want the benefits of a 'starboard' type bottom (without the thinking of Emeril Lagasse every time you look at your tank), no problem...

I guess it really surprises me that people will spend thousands on their set ups then scrimp on the part you actually see....like that tank I've seen that has live rock placed a multi leveled tier of Starboard (that's very visible)...
But...it is noxious and expensive stuff...respirators and credit cards are required...

d.
 
You'd make it with Resin, catalyst, and thickeners. I'd look on the internet...they're very flammable and require care in storage and use...You probably want to build a skeleton/frame...enjoy!

d.
 
delv said:
Next tank will be built with resin based epoxy...with a greater emphasis on detritous accumulation.

Here's a small (24"x24"x24) insert I built:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0672.jpg">

This pic show its modularity:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0673.jpg">

I pigmented the mud fairly dark...helps make the corals and fish 'pop' visually...

Enjoy!

d.
Click to expand...

Wow that looks amazing. Can you give us more details on what product you used. ETC...
 
I haven't read this whole thread as it is rather long, however, I have been doing research on the foam backdrop idea. It seems that when someone on another forum contacted Great Stuff manufact. they said it will eventually break down (or at least get brittle and fall off) with water and more import. sunlight. It now says on the can if you are planning to use in sunlight to coat with paint first. It seems that the best options are to use aquacrete over it (and rinse for a long time) or to use a fiberglass resin (without any of the fiberglass strands) Similar to the epoxy resins mentioned in other posts. It can be painted if you want before the fiberglass resin is applied and should last for years. It also can be done over carved sheets of foam...http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewt...postorder=asc&highlight=3d+background&start=0
here's a cool pic. of one. I plan on making mine this week and pressing sand, rock etc. into it. If anyone has more advice I'd love to hear it
 
I haven't read this whole thread as it is rather long, however, I have been doing research on the foam backdrop idea. It seems that when someone on another forum contacted Great Stuff manufact. they said it will eventually break down (or at least get brittle and fall off) with water and more import. sunlight. It now says on the can if you are planning to use in sunlight to coat with paint first. It seems that the best options are to use aquacrete over it (and rinse for a long time) or to use a fiberglass resin (without any of the fiberglass strands) Similar to the epoxy resins mentioned in other posts. It can be painted if you want before the fiberglass resin is applied and should last for years. It also can be done over carved sheets of foam...http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewt...postorder=asc&highlight=3d+background&start=0
here's a cool pic. of one. I plan on making mine this week and pressing sand, rock etc. into it. If anyone has more advice I'd love to hear it
 
mcflury said:
I haven't read this whole thread as it is rather long, however, I have been doing research on the foam backdrop idea. It seems that when someone on another forum contacted Great Stuff manufact. they said it will eventually break down (or at least get brittle and fall off) with water and more import. sunlight. It now says on the can if you are planning to use in sunlight to coat with paint first. It seems that the best options are to use aquacrete over it (and rinse for a long time) or to use a fiberglass resin (without any of the fiberglass strands) Similar to the epoxy resins mentioned in other posts. It can be painted if you want before the fiberglass resin is applied and should last for years. It also can be done over carved sheets of foam...http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewt...postorder=asc&highlight=3d+background&start=0
here's a cool pic. of one. I plan on making mine this week and pressing sand, rock etc. into it. If anyone has more advice I'd love to hear it
Click to expand...

I have seen that before and it's awesome...

Shawn
 
WOW. Good to see this thread is still kicking. Anymore pics? Thinking about breaking down my 2.5gal and doing this to it, not sure yet.

Touch.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5510063#post5510063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delv
Next tank will be built with resin based epoxy...with a greater emphasis on detritous accumulation.

Here's a small (24"x24"x24) insert I built:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0672.jpg">

This pic show its modularity:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/delv/DSCN0673.jpg">

I pigmented the mud fairly dark...helps make the corals and fish 'pop' visually...

Enjoy!

d.
Click to expand...



hi delv


could you let us know the type of resin based epoxy you are using ??

cos i went searching around and found that there are lot of resin based epoxy. therefore not sure which is the correct stuff to use.

It would be better if you are able to list out the step in making this.


thanks for your kind advise
 
What about mechanical filtration in something like this? There's a good reason for that 1lb/gallon rule. Are you going to run a big sump with expensive live rock that you'll never see?
 
The whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking: why can't I just use rock and cement to create the interesting wall structure?

Is it the weight?
 
No reason you can't do that, it's just possibly harder. Build it wider at the bottom than the top, and find a way to fasten it to the back (maybe silicone some acrylic hooks to the back wall) and you're golden.
 
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