Spray foam insulation with a reef tank

[Saskswimfan]

Hey fellow reefers. Tried searching for an answer to no avail. Looking to insulate our basement, and one of the best products is spray foam for our situation. Have a 260 gallon tank that drains into the basement where roughly another 260 gallons of water between the sump and refugium are located. For those not familar with spray foam, it is a 2 part product that expands and insulates. When it cures it is safe, but while curing it gases off isocyanates. Does anyone have any experiences or knowledge about spray foam curing with a reef running? Is it possible? Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks

 

[Ryan Peters]

I would cover the the sump with some drop sheets and use some fans to exhaust gasses out the windows. The foam cures pretty quickly, I don't think it would off gas too long.

 

[bertoni]

I agree that some ventilation probably is a good step. Isocyanate is less toxic than many chemicals, but it will enter the water column. Some drop sheets might be a good idea, too, although I'd want the skimmer to be able to get fresh air.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Covering will help with ventilation. By the way I have used the pond version of that insulation to fix rocks together inside of running Reef with no damages.

 

[Saskswimfan]

Thanks for the info fellow reefers, was really worried I wouldn't be able to have spray foam done. I'm told no one can be in the house 24 hours after the spraying starts. Was scared it might nuke the tank. My skimmer draws air from outside and will most definitely cover all the tanks before hand. It will be roughly 1000 board feet of foam, so that will be a lot of off gassing I have an additional 240 gallons of saltwater mixing station. Should I leave those empty until after the process. Correct me if I'm wrong, but would the isocyanate not leach into that water as well. It is a fairly sealed setup, but I'm sure the gas would find a way. Again, I really appreciate the advice

 

[aclinville]

I actually had my basement professionally spray foamed on the walls and in between the floor joists of upstairs. All I had to do was just put plastic over everything or drop cloths and everything was just fine. I even have my reef aquarium and all down there built in the wall behind my bar.

 

[Saskswimfan]

That's great to hear aclinville, that is exactly what we are planning to do. Just wanted to make sure all of the pets in the tank would not be put in any kind of danger