so after a talk with doug

[skiformance]

this is what i came up with. this is the piece that will go between the overflows. their are 2 smaller pieces that go on the outer edges of the overflows. i will be coating the backs with resin today, so i can get the front covered with sand in a few days. really i was surprised how easy this project is to do.

 

[cody6766]

glad to see the idea spreading! I remember seeing a lot of people doing this several years ago when i was running african cichlid tanks and othe rfresh tanks. Some people brought it to their reefs (at least a trend started) a while ago and it can look amazing when done well. I'm gong to have to do it on my next build after the AF moves me in a year or 2. Looking forward to seeing the finished product

 

[skiformance]

okay, one important lesson learned. do not, apply resin in the house. even my dogs are high!!! i thought since we have a whole house fan it would keep the fumes down, wrong!!! i did give the backs 2 coats as i have read that the silicone doesn't stick to the foam

 

[Lytehouse]

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

okay, one important lesson learned. do not, apply resin in the house. even my dogs are high!!! i thought since we have a whole house fan it would keep the fumes down, wrong!!! i did give the backs 2 coats as i have read that the silicone doesn't stick to the foam

 

[Lightsluvr]

Mike is going to be the life of the party at the meeting tonight!

LL

 

[cody6766]

haha, fiberglass resin in close quarters is no bueno. I did a lot of glass work in my garage in the winter back in OKC and got light headed once a lot of times. It doesn't want to set up under about 60* so I had to close the door and run a space heater as it was closer to 30*
Needless to say, it was interesting....

 

[Reef Happy]

this is what i came up with. this is the piece that will go between the overflows. their are 2 smaller pieces that go on the outer edges of the overflows. i will be coating the backs with resin today, so i can get the front covered with sand in a few days. really i was surprised how easy this project is to do.

Looking good Mike. Did your dogs come down off their high since yesterday?

 

[skiformance]

lol we both have resin hangovers.

 

[Tim Plow]

Looking good...I really like the concept especially for deeper tanks and am looking forward to seeing one of these established in a tank.

 

[skiformance]

tim, while this is going in a 120 oceanic with twin overflows and not a deep dimension tank. twin overflows cause a dead area if you know what i mean. detritus tends to build up in these dead flow areas. my thinking is if by building these walls i will be flush with the overflows eliminating the dead/ low flow spots, the added lr is a bonus. not exactly scientific but you get the idea

 

[Reef Happy]

lol we both have resin hangovers.

It is strong stuff. At least we don't have to worry about you sniffing glue, lol. The resin hangover taught your a lesson.

Keep the pictures coming...

 

[Tim Plow]

tim, while this is going in a 120 oceanic with twin overflows and not a deep dimension tank. twin overflows cause a dead area if you know what i mean. detritus tends to build up in these dead flow areas. my thinking is if by building these walls i will be flush with the overflows eliminating the dead/ low flow spots, the added lr is a bonus. not exactly scientific but you get the idea

Sounds like a great idea...I've had my tank up and running for about 5 yrs now so I would hate to see how much detritus is hiding in my sand behind the rocks on the back wall.

 

[gimmic]

Are you going to fill the space behind it with something? You mention having it flush between the overflows.

Just curious-

 

[cody6766]

Oh! let that resin cure for a few days before putting it in your tank. I rushed it in my little tank and the water ended up smelling like wet resin for a few days. I didn't have any livestock in, but I'd assume something strong enough to make water smell is strong enough to kill our little critters. I eventually did a 100% water change and changed the rock out (not hard in a 2.5g!, haha) to rush the fix. I let the background sit on the back porch for a few days and the smell passed. I know resin set-up wasn't an issue because I always tend to mix it a little hot, despite my best efforts. It just takes a little while for the smell to go away.

 

[skiformance]

so, i moved the project to the dog room. got the first coat of oolite sand on it. fyi its handy to have 2 people, one spreading the resin and the other to push the sand in. in 48 hrs i will brush out the sand then spray it down with water and let it dry. i then will fill in any missed areas with reef floor sand to any more texture.

 

[Lytehouse]

This is a cool addition to the back wall

looking at any particular corals for it or will it be a spontaneous thing

 

[skiformance]

hadn't really thought about it yet.

 

[skiformance]

updated crappy pic

 

[OKC_Casey]

so with a wall like that will you have a problem with crabs climbing out of the tank?

 

[skiformance]

no mine are trained to rappel back down it