The Foam/rock Projects Here Thread

[zack1a]

tdkarl: I'm using 1/2 pvc to maximize my pressure and I am ordering my loc-line modularhose.com, a reefcentral sponsor. As much of a resource as this is, it is very important that we buy from our sponsors as much as possible.

When it comes to the pumps I intended to use 2 Mag Drive 1200s, but from my head calculations, I don't think this will be enough. I will try it at first with fewer out puts but if that doesn't give me what I need I may just upgrade my pumps. My other concern is the amount my AGA Megaflow can drain. It doesn't matter how much water I pump in there if my overflow can't keep up. I may end up using the other hole cut in the glass that was meant for the return as a drain as well if it backs up and run the return entirely external. We will just have to see what happens.

I know I said I would post some pics but I just haven't had time, I'll make sure I get to it soon. I may just have to make you wait until I get my build thread up and running so we can leave this thread on topic.

 

[CoRPS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14692036#post14692036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2_zoa
I was gonna ask where you have been?

Just been broke so I haven't been thinking too much about projects. Whatever spare money I had went to coral for the big tank. Now I've got some pocket change so I'm going to be putting it toward finishing this tank.

 

[hotwired99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14674013#post14674013 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdkarl
I am looking at going probably 2500 - 3000 gph flow. Any suggestion on a good external pump?

Also what size pvc are you running on your close loop?

I have a closed loop on my 175. I use a Reeflo Dart for the CL with 2" pvc splitting to 2, 1.5" intakes in the back wall. Then it returns through 1.5" pvc split to 4, 1" returns in the back wall. The pump is very quiet and has plenty of flow through all the outlets. I use a 2nd dart pump for the sump return to the tank. And a PCX40 from the sump to feed the smaller tanks connected to the system. Click on the red house for my build thread.

 

[tdkarl]

Here ar some pics of the work I did last night on my background. Check out my build thread for the details if you interested. Click the little red house above. BTW ace finally emailed me to let me know the 8 cans of touch and foam landscape would be delivered to my house the 30th. I won't be needing it if anyone wants to buy it from me. Its hard to get and ace hardware is slooooooooow on shipping. And its 1/4 of the cost of the pond foam home depot sells, just send me a PM if your interested. I can ship out on the 30th when I recieve it.

 

[Meisen]

Wow some really creative efforts going on in here....

Just a warning, I sort of remember seeing it posted elsewhere but if you are including urchins in tanks with these things, beware.

I found out the hard way how tough their teeth are: we built a fiberglass background for a public aquarium coldwater system a while back. After a few months, it seemed like the fish had all but disappeared so we added a bunch more. Again, only a few were visible after a few days. On closer inspection, most of them turned up living behind the background. Our sea urchins had chewed urchin-size holes through 1/2" of fiberglass and resin!!!! This opened up the space between the tank itself and the structure to most of the tank animals. All of our "missing" fish were living happily in there along with several sea stars, crabs and urchins of course. The fish were apparently feeding off a huge pod population living in the nooks and crannies on the reverse side of the background.

Anyway, I can only imagine what an urchin would do to one of these foam backgrounds.....

 

[tdkarl]

I dont plan on having any urchins, but will deff keep that in mind, thanks for the heads up.

 

[wastememphis]

Love the DIY work!!! Are there any ill effects with using less liverock in smaller tanks, once the foam walls take up the realestate? How do you "cure" or prepare the wall before you put it into the tank?

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698234#post14698234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wastememphis
Love the DIY work!!! Are there any ill effects with using less liverock in smaller tanks, once the foam walls take up the realestate? How do you "cure" or prepare the wall before you put it into the tank?

actually if you do rock on the sandbed in the standard "fruit stand" stacking style, then you can get more rock cause you add the stuff on the wall along w/ what you would normally be able to get just stacking it in structure(s)

it is best to use dead/dry rock....they you cut the cycle cause there is no die-off of the living organisms on the rock. otherwise it is the same as adding rock to any new setup...except maybe a shorter cycle time because of the no die-off.

i have alot of dry rock from marcorocks.com & bulkreefsupply.com that i am using for mine. then i'm gonna do a structure or 2 on the sandbed & use a piece or 2 of live rock + the live sand + the live rock rubble in the sump to seed it w/

 

[mjk427]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14697028#post14697028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Meisen
Wow some really creative efforts going on in here....

Just a warning, I sort of remember seeing it posted elsewhere but if you are including urchins in tanks with these things, beware.

I found out the hard way how tough their teeth are: we built a fiberglass background for a public aquarium coldwater system a while back. After a few months, it seemed like the fish had all but disappeared so we added a bunch more. Again, only a few were visible after a few days. On closer inspection, most of them turned up living behind the background. Our sea urchins had chewed urchin-size holes through 1/2" of fiberglass and resin!!!! This opened up the space between the tank itself and the structure to most of the tank animals. All of our "missing" fish were living happily in there along with several sea stars, crabs and urchins of course. The fish were apparently feeding off a huge pod population living in the nooks and crannies on the reverse side of the background.
Anyway, I can only imagine what an urchin would do to one of these foam backgrounds.....

The info is priceless. I am going to be upgrading and was going to start buying the supplies for the foam wall/rock. I have two urchins and do not want to get rid of them. I will just stick with dry rock and acrylic rods.

Thanks!

 

[tdkarl]

Our sea urchins had chewed urchin-size holes through 1/2" of fiberglass and resin!!!!

I am surprised they chewed through the resin, that stuff is really hard once it dries.

 

[tdkarl]

OK I am thinking about silicone some edges to keep this bad boy from floating. What do most people do?

 

[tdkarl]

The first picture is of the dry fit before I covered the right background. The second is after both background have been completed.

 

[customcolor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14700075#post14700075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdkarl
OK I am thinking about silicone some edges to keep this bad boy from floating. What do most people do?

i used silicone where ever i could.. you never know about this stuff...could last a week then pop!!! up it goes!!

 

[tdkarl]

Did you silicone all the way around the edges or all over the back? How long has yours been in your tank?

 

[Fishcrazy06]

First poster here. I have no pictures but I know customcolor and he is raining on my parade right now. I did mine in the tank with the tank sitting on its back. I did the foam right to the back glass. And used some bigger rocks at the bottom. I can not move them at all once the foam "cured" however Dave thinks it may float. I also hav 3 returns holes in my tank 2 at each top corner and one half way down in the middle. I also foamed all around these to use them as "anchor" points. He has suggested doing a fresh water run for a week or so. I will keep everyone updated and also get some pics.

Eric

 

[customcolor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14700219#post14700219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdkarl
Did you silicone all the way around the edges or all over the back? How long has yours been in your tank?

i siliconed mine on the top and behind it as much as i could cuz when doing a fresh water test it was pulling away from my calflo over flow...its ben in my tank for just about 2 years now and i have no worries about it!

fishcrazy also has his on the calflow and thats where i have ben telling him to silicone it...it will also help make it smoother so nothing snags up on the foam after its cut when all the fish poop goes over it. some times i get some hair algie on the top and its nice to take a tooth brush to it and with the silicone on there i dont worry about sanding the foam down with a toothbrush

 

[Fishcrazy06]

Dave are you saying you just siliconed the top edge all along the overflow to hold it in place? Or am I picturing this the wrong way?

Eric

 

[customcolor]

ill take a pic of how it is in about a half hour and post it

 

[tdkarl]

You just used regular aquarium silicone, like what you buy in the LFS, nothing special?

 

[flyguy1821]

Guys I read in one of the foam wall posts someone is using Gorilla glue (polyurethane glue) instead of epoxy to adhere the sand. Has anyone done this? Would be much cheaper!!!