My DIY Rock/Foam Reef

Kannin;

Thanks for your quick reply and compliments. I'm going to be completing my rock reef wall this weekend...just wanted to re-assure myself using the same epoxy you used.

I really have to thank you and tiggsy for opening alot of peoples eyes using this method. I cant wait to start filling my tank up!!!

Cheers;
 
Pond foam pretty good price

Pond foam pretty good price

I may be, being a bit over cautious but I like the idea of using the pond foam some of you have mentioned. It, at least in fresh water applications appears to be non hazardous to aquatic life in ponds. Dow Chemical makes the Great Stuff foam but I can not find any claims by Dow that indicates that Great Stuff would be safe for this type of application. Not that it isn't I suspect it may be especially if it is coated in an epoxy or other coating safe for potable water. Just to be on the safe side I think I'll go with the pond foam. (I've broken down a tank it just not something you want to have to do if it can be avoided)

Pond Foam $8.95 for 12-oz Can

Ken
 
this is the foam i used
118884IMG_1545__Small_.JPG


this is what it looked like a year ago have to take pic to show you the finished tank i put a couple 1" pvc with 90's and 45's in the background to great caves and tunels for my smaller fish my lawnmower blenny loves useing them and sleeping in one i have them so that if some poop gets droped in them then just by current and gravity they will rool out and once a month i blow the tubes out.

118884IMG_1550__Small_.JPG
 
I know I read you this method of combining foam and live rock somewhere before. Does anyone have a link to the original post by Tiggsy. Thanks
 
Realizing I made a mistake of using a polyester resin, I am pull the rock off the wall and will chisel away any area of the rock that has the resin on it. I have ordered the z poxy and can't wait. Education cost money.
 
Fiberglass resin

Fiberglass resin

Quote from FishingPcola, [Quick poll. Has anyone used a polyster fiberglass resin instead of the epoxy's mentioned. If so please list your thoughts. I know you get a strong smell and it will last for days. Other than that any problems? I have start with Evercoat's Fiberglass Resin only because it is in my garage from making boat repairs.}[/QUOTE]

I thought someone would have replied to your post about fiberglass resin but they didn't. So here is what I would say. There are many fiberglass resins that would be safe for water storage, the one you used may well be. Before I took everything apart do a little research and find out other than boats, what other applications this particular resin is used for. You may find that it cures and will not leach. If it is safe for potable water then I would have to think it will be safe for this use. On the other hand you may find that it is not recommended for potable water and in which case I wouldn't want to use it. Good luck and I really hope you are able to go with what you have rather than tearing it apart and starting over.

Ken
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12455609#post12455609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stchris
I know I read you this method of combining foam and live rock somewhere before. Does anyone have a link to the original post by Tiggsy. Thanks
Click to expand...
Here ya go
 
I just spoke with a tech at Evercoat and she said they have never tested it for that application but all their resins and epoxy's are potable water safe. They recommend a 24 hour cure time. Decisions, decisions......mmmm.
 
EVERCOAT MSDS

EVERCOAT MSDS

Hazardous Decomposition: May form: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
styrene oxide and various hydrocarbons.
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal handling conditions.
Incompatibility: Avoid contact in uncontrolled conditions with: oxygen,
peroxides, strong acids and strong oxidizing agents.
SECTION 11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute Toxicity Data:
Ingredient CAS # LD50 Oral-Rat LC50 Inhalation-Rat
Styrene 100-42-5 5,000 mg/kg 24 g/m3/4H
Amorphous Silica 112945-52-5 3,160 mg/kg N/E
Carcinogenicity: See Cancer Information, Section 3.
Mutagenicity: No significant evidence found.
Teratogenicity: No significant risk of birth defects or reproductive toxicity of
styrene to humans.
SECTION 12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity: Styrene is toxic to aquatic organisms and should not be released
to sewage, draining systems or any body of water exceeding
concentrations of approved limits under applicable regulations and
permits.

Sytrene is the bad animal in this! I'll tear it apart!
 
I'd go with it

I'd go with it

Fishingpcola,

I'd go for it. There is so very little available to the hobby that has actually been tested for the specific application we are using it for. When you do find it you know what they do to us on price. Therefore the question I ask my self is "Would it be safe for potable water for human consumption?" If it is... I'm going to have to go with the assumption that it would be okay in my tank. Whether or not that is a correct assumption we'll just have to wait and see.
 
Doesn't look good! (LOL) I'd be afraid of it. There goes my assumption on if it's safe for human consumption theory. Although the real question is "Once resin is cured will salt water or in the case of human consuption fresh water over time allow the release of styrene or anything else for that matter"?

Better to err on the side of caution and better safe than sorry. On the bright side you can make it better than it was before... You have the technology.
 
I have removed all of the large pieces of rock, took a hammer and remove edges that had the resin. Rock loss 15-20%. Not all of the wall had resin so those pieces were safe. Each piece of rock will be inspected many times. A razor knife is used to scrap any questionable marks. I will probably add another 10lbs to my current order of rock. I feel confident the rock is clean.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12443937#post12443937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sabbath
The pods, worms and other bugs that make our rock live. Dig in the rocks. Will not they do this with the foam and expose the foam to the water? Or is it considered safe still?
Click to expand...

did anyone ever answer this question?

I am thinking about trying this on my new 125 and want to verify this... It doesnt leach normally but what happens when the bugs get to it... can they not eat through epoxy?
 
I cannot answer this question... I can repeat what I've said in the past. Tiggsy's tank is getting close to a year old and Energy's tank is 5 years old.
 
hmm.. sorry wasnt trying to push for something you didnt know..

Is there any reason for concern about this? Is there a possibility of leaching if the animals were able to break through to the foam layer? I could see replacing the foam in 5 yrs anyway... so that wouldnt be a big deal if it did last that long. just curious about any negatives before trying to set it up...
 
There is plenty of foam exposed to the water in my tank. There just isn't any exposed to the lights. Inside the caves and even the core of the pillars have plenty of foam that is not covered with resin. Even the entire back side of the structure is exposed.
 
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