question about foaming the back

[sillygoose]

How long does the silicone that attaches the egg crate to a surface need to cure before it can be foamed?

Back story if you care - our fuge sprung a leak last night - causing the ATO to keep flushing RODI into the 90g show tank - and flooding all over. (I know Ben - we didn't install a timer on it yet.) We brought the salinity up slowly all day. Amazingly, there is no obvious death.

The tricky thing is - well there are a few tricky things - is that the wooden stand has been compromised. The cabinet floor came unattached, and while that probably just gave it torsional strenght, the end is nigh.

So we need to make the switch to our 180 asap.

 

[fishaholic911]

I would say 24-48 hrs, how long ago did you apply the silicone ?

 

[fishaholic911]

If you need to take the 90 down just place all corals in a rubber maid container. With good flow, temp and lighting they should be fine for days. You can also keep the rest of the rock in brutte cans.

If you need to barrow pumps heaters and totes/bruttes call me 572-9951

 

[sillygoose]

Thanks.

 

[aquaph8]

I have a few more too if you need them let me know.

 

[xpertrifle]

Simple answer what ever it says on the tube. It wont cure without O2.


This is a rundown of my first attempt to make a foam background. I have done styrofoam sheet and plastic cement backgrounds before and this is much easier. If you are looking for something different I hope this will give you some ideas.

I bought some white plastic light diffusers from Home Depot, they are in the lighting dept.
Next Aquarium Silicone.
Finally Handi Foam, this can be purchased from Dr. Fosters web site or sometimes at the LFS. I would get about 6 cans for a 125.
Rubber gloves (lots) this foam is messy and sticky.

First lay the tank on its side or even slightly propped up, say 25deg or so. Then attach the light diffuser to the back inside wall of your tank with the silicone. It is very simple to cut to size with a nippers.
After letting this dry for a day its time to apply the foam. It is a good idea to practice on something else before doing your tank.
I would recommend applying thin lines as it will triple in size. If your lines are more random it will keep you from getting nice even lines like a brick wall (not natural).
Try blobs and low spots, John at south west saltwater is very good. Call him for tips.
While it is wet you can manipulate the foam to add texture gently. Be careful it will dry fast and if played with too much becomes like a melted marshmellow. If sprayed fast it will not be such a nice smooth surface, but rough and cragged. The foam will expand to max size in about an 1-1:5 hours.
If the foam gets on the floor don't wipe it, just let it sit for a while and then it will scrape up in a glob. I have a small blob that smeared from wiping that is not coming off very nicely. Also the can will continue to ooze for 20 min after you stop spraying, so put something under it.
After it dries you can make hills, caves, ect. on top of the thinner back layer.
This is very easy to do and once set up in a salt tank the growth starts very quickly add a new dimension...

One last thing, I have had multiple urchins for the last couple years and they are starting to chew away a noticeable layer of foam. If you can see it in the pic. They don't die since its non toxic, but it is an issue that ill have to address at some point.

 

[itsmateo]

on the few tanks i have foamed, i waited a couple of hours before foaming, then waited 2 days to fill. you should be good with that...

 

[mattsummers]

silicone and foam will cure in 24 hrs

 

[mattsummers]

foam wall

foam wall

you can also add rock to foam wall, i epoxied over foam and added sand. This is the tank after 6 months

 

[sillygoose]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate offers and advice.

 

[Raptor72]

Now let's talk about the sealing of the foam because that is the problem I'm having. Mine is 6 mo. old and the foam is deteriorating slowly. I was not made aware of this when I had it done at my lfs. BE WARNED!

 

[Tucson Reef]

Now let's talk about the sealing of the foam because that is the problem I'm having. Mine is 6 mo. old and the foam is deteriorating slowly. I was not made aware of this when I had it done at my lfs. BE WARNED!

Is it deteriorating or is something eating it, I've seen foam many years old in great shape. Urchins love the foam and turn it into pellets. Above water the lights will age it but that should not be a problem

 

[xpertrifle]

Yea, the urchins reek havoc on mine. Other than that the foam is still hard and intact after 2 years.

 

[Raptor72]

Is it deteriorating or is something eating it, I've seen foam many years old in great shape. Urchins love the foam and turn it into pellets. Above water the lights will age it but that should not be a problem

It crumbles when I poke it. The lower section seems to have stayed the same. The upper portion where the snails and hermits hang out is the one that's affected.

 

[sillygoose]

The foam on our 90 is almost 3 years old and looks great. I've heard "Great Stuff" foam breaks down if not coated with epoxy - but then others swear by it. Of course I would cover it because of color anyway.

Thanks for the pics of your background. There are some cool foam/ rock build threads in DIY. I was going to do something more ambitious but now I think I'll go pretty basic foam. (Especially now that time is of the essence.) I have built little shallow shelves into my egg crate framework so I'll see how they foam over.

 

[mattsummers]

need to use pond foam, not Great stuff, pond foam is made for outside and water use

 

[fishaholic911]

Did you make the switch yet ?

 

[sillygoose]

Argh! Not yet. We are waiting for a new frame from LeeMar. We decided we wanted more but thinner bracing on the top to work with our lights...so now we wait for it to come....and wait. Michael at SEA is checking with them this afternoon.

After we get the rim off, I can fit the foam panels that I have made in - the current bracing is not allowing me to do that.

Another development is that I found a couple of sea swirls in the used equip forum. I have to paypal today and get those here. In the mean time, believe it or not, things are doing well with our improvised big-plastic-bin fuge. I just hope the stand doesn't give way. Optimistically, I hope to swap in two weeks.

 

[aquaph8]

Nice, glad you found some sea swirls. Be sure to throw some pics to us vultures along the way. LOL

 

[fishaholic911]

Are you talking about the glass bracing or the plastic frame ?