WetPetsHawaii
In Memoriam
Thank you..,..,..The Resin Rock has been in my tank about 1 yr. some of the rocks do have actual coraline algae in the tank..... Aloha Les
My DIY Rock/Foam Reef
- Thread starter Kannin
- Start date
Thank you..,..,..The Resin Rock has been in my tank about 1 yr. some of the rocks do have actual coraline algae in the tank..... Aloha Les
WLachnit
Active member
I have looked at Home Depot and they only carry polyester resin (bondo) and another fiberglass finish resin (not epoxy resin)which the label claims to be "waterproof" which I have been experimenting with. The smell seems to last a long time, which suggests that it may be off-gassing perhaps? The epoxy resin smell is different and mild (more of an amide-like smell). It seems to me that one should wait until the smell abates, but I'm guessing here.
Tap Plastics here in Calif. carry all kinds of different resins including different flavors of epoxy resin (although they are either black or expensive relative to the polyester and other plastic resins).
The resin that I used was from Bob Smith Industries. It is called 20 minute cure and I bought it at North End Train Center in Seattle. I know of one guy already that called the train center and had them ship it to NY.
I also talked to Bob Smith before buying it and he assured me that it would be safe as long as I cured it properly... which is at or above 75 degrees for 6 hours.
There was very little odor that lasted only until it was cured.
I applied it by mixing just enough (about an ounce of each) to last 15 minutes which would cover a couple sq feet of the reef.
I also talked to Bob Smith before buying it and he assured me that it would be safe as long as I cured it properly... which is at or above 75 degrees for 6 hours.
There was very little odor that lasted only until it was cured.
I applied it by mixing just enough (about an ounce of each) to last 15 minutes which would cover a couple sq feet of the reef.
briand7878
New member
If you worry about it descentigrating in the water do you also cover the back of it with the resin?
epoxy?
epoxy?
I didn't go through all the threads , but I use the spray foam for all of my outside garden ponds. Never would I have thought to use it in my saltwater tank, great Idea!!! One thing is when I use it outside when the foam is still damp I toss dirt and gravel on it so that it goes with everything else, you could probably doe the same thing with sand, crushed coral or whatever without the need for the epoxy, I usually have to do this more than once do to the foam expands for a while unless you make sure it is really well covered. I am transfering to a 120 from a 80 so this will help me save some money on more rock! Great
epoxy?
I didn't go through all the threads , but I use the spray foam for all of my outside garden ponds. Never would I have thought to use it in my saltwater tank, great Idea!!! One thing is when I use it outside when the foam is still damp I toss dirt and gravel on it so that it goes with everything else, you could probably doe the same thing with sand, crushed coral or whatever without the need for the epoxy, I usually have to do this more than once do to the foam expands for a while unless you make sure it is really well covered. I am transfering to a 120 from a 80 so this will help me save some money on more rock! Great
Im not sure if its safe.. the parts ive sprayed look like they have little holes in them.. may be eating the top layer of the foam i cant really tell...
Is the epoxy really necessary? I cant find the stuff that has been used in the past locally here in fargo and dont feel like waiting another week to get this tank setup everything else is ready to go? Ive read that their are people not using the epoxy for years right? Are there any visual reasons to need the epoxy?
Is the epoxy really necessary? I cant find the stuff that has been used in the past locally here in fargo and dont feel like waiting another week to get this tank setup everything else is ready to go? Ive read that their are people not using the epoxy for years right? Are there any visual reasons to need the epoxy?
WLachnit
Active member
I have heard the same regarding the use of foam w/o epoxy. I believe the epoxy resin is supposed to minimize the disintegration perhaps? Not sure how UV stable the epoxy is supposed to be. However, if you cover the wet epoxy with sand, that would help with the UV stability. I take it that you don't have a plastic supply house locally? They would carry all sorts of resins. But, you still need to wait a week or so for it cure and off gas.
BTW, I didn't want to wait either, so I'm aquascaping this Sunday with the tank full while cycling...should be fun and frustrating
KenStanley
Premium Member
gguertin,
Hey man. A week waiting today would be far better than heart ache down the road. I have my materials coming in right now and spent extra money and time researching and waiting for what I believe to be safe to come in. Here are some links to the products I have found. All of these are supposed to be safe for aquarium use.
This is the epoxy I bought I called these people and told them what I wanted to do with their product. They were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They assured me their product was indeed reef safe.
This is the foam I am using
I also found this epoxy on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280208100731&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123
I contacted company last week and asked them the following questions. It took them more than a week to answer me and then only after a second email so in the mean time I ordered the above epoxy instead.
1) Would it be suitable for this?
2) Are there any detrimental effects from UV, specifically metal halide lamps? 3) Does it contain styrene? 4) Any chance of leaching? Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my questions. If this product is suitable in all aspects I will be more than happy to post your information
Their answers follow.
Question #1 Yes; MAX ACR would be suitable for this application.
#2 pigmented epoxy resin should have no concern with UV. You might to take a look at our MAXBOND Thixotropic also. Here is the eBay item number; 280177201457
#3 No, this product does not contain styrene.
#4 There would be a chance of leaching if the product is not properly mixed. You must have accuracy.
I realize many people have used products that are not known to be safe for this application and not had a problem. Perhaps I worry too much but the worst thing I can think of is to get every thing built set up and running and then start having problems. Whether the problem is actually associated with the reef building project or not if I can't rule it out then it would be suspect.
The purpose of the epoxy is two fold from my understanding. First, it protects the foam for UV. UV will affect the foam over time. Secondly, it provides a tacky surface to hold the crushed coral and sand which is what gives it a natural appearance. Over the next few weeks I will be building out my tank and will post a build thread.
Hey man. A week waiting today would be far better than heart ache down the road. I have my materials coming in right now and spent extra money and time researching and waiting for what I believe to be safe to come in. Here are some links to the products I have found. All of these are supposed to be safe for aquarium use.
This is the epoxy I bought I called these people and told them what I wanted to do with their product. They were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They assured me their product was indeed reef safe.
This is the foam I am using
I also found this epoxy on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280208100731&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123
I contacted company last week and asked them the following questions. It took them more than a week to answer me and then only after a second email so in the mean time I ordered the above epoxy instead.
1) Would it be suitable for this?
2) Are there any detrimental effects from UV, specifically metal halide lamps? 3) Does it contain styrene? 4) Any chance of leaching? Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my questions. If this product is suitable in all aspects I will be more than happy to post your information
Their answers follow.
Question #1 Yes; MAX ACR would be suitable for this application.
#2 pigmented epoxy resin should have no concern with UV. You might to take a look at our MAXBOND Thixotropic also. Here is the eBay item number; 280177201457
#3 No, this product does not contain styrene.
#4 There would be a chance of leaching if the product is not properly mixed. You must have accuracy.
I realize many people have used products that are not known to be safe for this application and not had a problem. Perhaps I worry too much but the worst thing I can think of is to get every thing built set up and running and then start having problems. Whether the problem is actually associated with the reef building project or not if I can't rule it out then it would be suspect.
The purpose of the epoxy is two fold from my understanding. First, it protects the foam for UV. UV will affect the foam over time. Secondly, it provides a tacky surface to hold the crushed coral and sand which is what gives it a natural appearance. Over the next few weeks I will be building out my tank and will post a build thread.
what effects would the uv have on foam...
I have read people using just foam for years without issues? The epoxy seems to be the part we are all worried about....
I am not using crushed coral just the foam and a dremel... Unless someone thinks the uv will cause the foam to leach a chemical into the water it seems like the epoxy is really not needed?
I dont have enough time to really wait on this project to much longer and that is part of my reason for the rush.. not to mention everything else is ready to go... but I dont understand a reason the epoxy is really needed.... does it really even protect the foam from uv? dont most light covers have a uv shield built into them anyway?
I have read people using just foam for years without issues? The epoxy seems to be the part we are all worried about....
I am not using crushed coral just the foam and a dremel... Unless someone thinks the uv will cause the foam to leach a chemical into the water it seems like the epoxy is really not needed?
I dont have enough time to really wait on this project to much longer and that is part of my reason for the rush.. not to mention everything else is ready to go... but I dont understand a reason the epoxy is really needed.... does it really even protect the foam from uv? dont most light covers have a uv shield built into them anyway?
KenStanley
Premium Member
gguertin,
The reason for the epoxy is two fold.
1) It protects the foam from UV segregation. If you are using the tough stuff foam or the pond foam, I am using look at the can. Both will tell you that exposure to UV will cause it to degrade and that it should be painted if it going to be exposed to UV.
From every thing I have read the foam itself in inert and won't leach. I know from experience how ever that UV will break it down over time.
2) It provides a sticky surface so you can apply the sand and/or the crushed coral. This in my opinion is what really makes the formations look natural.
One last note. If you have ever worked with this foam you will probably have noticed that the outside cures without holes but if you cut into it the inside is full of little holes and the inside seems to me is softer and breaks off easier. The out side cured part seem tougher.
Paul,
No problem. I'm glad the link was helpful to you. Good luck on your tank.
Ken
The reason for the epoxy is two fold.
1) It protects the foam from UV segregation. If you are using the tough stuff foam or the pond foam, I am using look at the can. Both will tell you that exposure to UV will cause it to degrade and that it should be painted if it going to be exposed to UV.
From every thing I have read the foam itself in inert and won't leach. I know from experience how ever that UV will break it down over time.
2) It provides a sticky surface so you can apply the sand and/or the crushed coral. This in my opinion is what really makes the formations look natural.
One last note. If you have ever worked with this foam you will probably have noticed that the outside cures without holes but if you cut into it the inside is full of little holes and the inside seems to me is softer and breaks off easier. The out side cured part seem tougher.
Paul,
No problem. I'm glad the link was helpful to you. Good luck on your tank.
Ken
KenStanley
Premium Member
gguertin,
The reason for the epoxy is two fold.
1) It protects the foam from UV segregation. If you are using the tough stuff foam or the pond foam, I am using look at the can. Both will tell you that exposure to UV will cause it to degrade and that it should be painted if it going to be exposed to UV.
From every thing I have read the foam itself in inert and won't leach. I know from experience how ever that UV will break it down over time.
2) It provides a sticky surface so you can apply the sand and/or the crushed coral. This in my opinion is what really makes the formations look natural.
One last note. If you have ever worked with this foam you will probably have noticed that the outside cures without holes but if you cut into it the inside is full of little holes and the inside seems to me is softer and breaks off easier. The out side cured part seem tougher.
Paul,
No problem. I'm glad the link was helpful to you. Good luck on you tank.
Ken
The reason for the epoxy is two fold.
1) It protects the foam from UV segregation. If you are using the tough stuff foam or the pond foam, I am using look at the can. Both will tell you that exposure to UV will cause it to degrade and that it should be painted if it going to be exposed to UV.
From every thing I have read the foam itself in inert and won't leach. I know from experience how ever that UV will break it down over time.
2) It provides a sticky surface so you can apply the sand and/or the crushed coral. This in my opinion is what really makes the formations look natural.
One last note. If you have ever worked with this foam you will probably have noticed that the outside cures without holes but if you cut into it the inside is full of little holes and the inside seems to me is softer and breaks off easier. The out side cured part seem tougher.
Paul,
No problem. I'm glad the link was helpful to you. Good luck on you tank.
Ken
KenStanley
Premium Member
gguertin,
The reason for the epoxy is two fold.
1) It protects the foam from UV segregation. If you are using the tough stuff foam or the pond foam, I am using look at the can. Both will tell you that exposure to UV will cause it to degrade and that it should be painted if it going to be exposed to UV.
From every thing I have read the foam itself in inert and won't leach. I know from experience how ever that UV will break it down over time.
2) It provides a sticky surface so you can apply the sand and/or the crushed coral. This in my opinion is what really makes the formations look natural.
One last note. If you have ever worked with this foam you will probably have noticed that the outside cures without holes but if you cut into it the inside is full of little holes and the inside seems to me is softer and breaks off easier. The out side cured part seem tougher.
Paul,
No problem. I'm glad the link was helpful to you. Good luck on your tank.
Ken
The reason for the epoxy is two fold.
1) It protects the foam from UV segregation. If you are using the tough stuff foam or the pond foam, I am using look at the can. Both will tell you that exposure to UV will cause it to degrade and that it should be painted if it going to be exposed to UV.
From every thing I have read the foam itself in inert and won't leach. I know from experience how ever that UV will break it down over time.
2) It provides a sticky surface so you can apply the sand and/or the crushed coral. This in my opinion is what really makes the formations look natural.
One last note. If you have ever worked with this foam you will probably have noticed that the outside cures without holes but if you cut into it the inside is full of little holes and the inside seems to me is softer and breaks off easier. The out side cured part seem tougher.
Paul,
No problem. I'm glad the link was helpful to you. Good luck on your tank.
Ken
