customcolor
New member
you .comould always use wax paper too so the foam wont stick.
The Foam/rock Projects Here Thread
- Thread starter yousmellsfishy
- Start date
Do I epoxy it and then before the epoxy dries I throw crushed coral / sand mixture on the wet epoxy? Anyone have any neat ideas for texture of the foam before it dries? Do you pat it down a little so it doesn't llook "bubbly"? Or just go natural with how the foam lays on it? Thought I saw one guy use some kind of salt to give it texture. Not sure if you would even notice the texture after putting sand on it. If I use the touch and foam I do not have to epoxy if I don't want, correct?
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zack1a
New member
Thats the overall consensus. The idea is that the UV resistance of the pond foam will prevent the lighting from breaking it down, therefore you won't have to put the sand on it to protect it.
The guy that used the salt is customcolor I think he used alot of it. Since he just posted above you I bet he would answer any of your questions.
The guy that used the salt is customcolor I think he used alot of it. Since he just posted above you I bet he would answer any of your questions.
flyguy1821
Member
I have seen different techniques, one involving salt CRYSTALS (not pellets) which leaves unique texture after salt is dissolved from soaking. The other technique is using a Dremel tool to cut back the big bubbles and give it more jagged look. This is what I plan to do.
About not using epoxy on the "black foams", I still plan on using the epoxy and sand to cover my foam. Only reason I guess for immediate asthetics. Previous post is right, you dont need to use epoxy if you use the Black foams, already protected from UV light. After a while it really wont matter as it will be covered.
I found some other various touch and foams at kmart and wallmart. They were for other uses though, wasnt sure if you could use those... Anyone know? ITs was the touch and foam max fill and I think home seal. The price was low like the landscape stuff. Made by the same manufacture with the touch and foam name, just a different use I guess. It was impossible finding the landscape version, went to 5 stores and no one carried landscape. I don't care about the color its just the UV protection I like.
http://www.touch-n-foam.com/index.php
http://www.touch-n-foam.com/index.php
zack1a
New member
Yeah some of that stuff is very expensive but I could not get the manufacturers to "sell" me on their product when I compared it to the lower cost Touch n' Foam. From what I gathered the costly Great Falls Pond Foam is just more exspensive because they marlet it, primarily, to pond hobbists. There are also different types of black foam that do not have the UV resistance of the pond foams.
The other types of foam WILL NOT work. The only reason the landscape has the UV protection is because it will be subjected to prolonged exposure to the sun. The other foams are more similar to standard great foam which you can get for less than $2 a can.
I had the same issue finding the foam and I got sick of asking so I just searched on amazon.com. Once I found it on there I looked up the sellers name and then searched it on Yahoo. Typically, the sellers charge less on their websites since, I assume, amazon takes a cut or charges a listing fee.
I posted it above but in case you didn't see it I ordered my foam from acehardwareoutlet.com just get on there and search for "Touch n' Foam" and you will find what you need. Shipping cost is very reasonable but kind of slow. They fully disclose the fact that it will take 5-8 days for your order to ship so you can't blame them. I placed my order last Wednesday and they have informed me that it will ship no later than the 18th, this Wednesday.
The other types of foam WILL NOT work. The only reason the landscape has the UV protection is because it will be subjected to prolonged exposure to the sun. The other foams are more similar to standard great foam which you can get for less than $2 a can.
I had the same issue finding the foam and I got sick of asking so I just searched on amazon.com. Once I found it on there I looked up the sellers name and then searched it on Yahoo. Typically, the sellers charge less on their websites since, I assume, amazon takes a cut or charges a listing fee.
I posted it above but in case you didn't see it I ordered my foam from acehardwareoutlet.com just get on there and search for "Touch n' Foam" and you will find what you need. Shipping cost is very reasonable but kind of slow. They fully disclose the fact that it will take 5-8 days for your order to ship so you can't blame them. I placed my order last Wednesday and they have informed me that it will ship no later than the 18th, this Wednesday.
Thanks I ended up calling as you see in my post and got the same answer from touch and foam. Well I may just go with freat stuff since I dont know how much I will need and expoxy it. I also dont want to wait 2 weeks to get it. Bummer... I refuse to pay the $13 a can for the HD stuff. Thats just retarded and over priced. Now next question and I will do a search but whats the expoxy if anyone can answer real quick?
Do you use both parts or just one?
Anyone find a good online price for crushed coral, my local LFS sticks and is also over priced with everything.
When you put the rock pieces in the foam, does do they have to be zip tied? I just hate the thought of have to drill holes in all that LR. Seems like alot of work.
Last question, any easy way to break up LR? Some of the stuff I was going to use was pretty solid and man that stuff can be tuff to bust up. Even picking it up and slamming it on the ground can be to no avail. lol
Do you use both parts or just one?
Anyone find a good online price for crushed coral, my local LFS sticks and is also over priced with everything.
When you put the rock pieces in the foam, does do they have to be zip tied? I just hate the thought of have to drill holes in all that LR. Seems like alot of work.
Last question, any easy way to break up LR? Some of the stuff I was going to use was pretty solid and man that stuff can be tuff to bust up. Even picking it up and slamming it on the ground can be to no avail. lol
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zack1a
New member
Here is the link to the Z-Poxy most are using. From what I have read you just brush it on quite liberally and the toss your sand and crushed coral on there.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/paa/paapt40.htm
I think you should do some more research on the people who have used the great foam. I have heard some horror stories about missing spots with the expoxy and have it start to break apart. It really made the 2 weeks waiting for the Touch n' Foam seem like a much shorter span of time. After all this is a hobby of patience.
I don't think you will find crushed coral any cheaper online its quite pricey to ship. I'm surprised that you can find a decent price down there. When I lived in Orlando I got it for 1/2 the price of what it cost me when I lived in Iowa. It is "Florida Crushed Coral" they bag that stuff down there. I think Argralive it based in south Florida.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/paa/paapt40.htm
I think you should do some more research on the people who have used the great foam. I have heard some horror stories about missing spots with the expoxy and have it start to break apart. It really made the 2 weeks waiting for the Touch n' Foam seem like a much shorter span of time. After all this is a hobby of patience.
I don't think you will find crushed coral any cheaper online its quite pricey to ship. I'm surprised that you can find a decent price down there. When I lived in Orlando I got it for 1/2 the price of what it cost me when I lived in Iowa. It is "Florida Crushed Coral" they bag that stuff down there. I think Argralive it based in south Florida.
zack1a
New member
I thinks 6 cans would be more than enough for my tank so you should be alright. I ended up ordering 10 cans just to make shipping them more cost effective. When I order online I usually order much more than I need so I can save the surplus for a local trade. I don't think I will have too much trouble trading them for some frags or a piece of hardware I may need sometime. Heck, maybe I will do such a good job someone may want to pay me to do it for them! (Yeah right)
customcolor
New member
that was me again
i did it on my 125 and my 46 bow and my wifes 28 gal jbj...
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this is the nano...i did not zip tie the rocks to the foam...jsut stuck them in when it was fresh and the rocks need to be dry
customcolor
New member
just sqirt a bunch, let it sit for a minute so it gets a slight skin then pour some salt around it first then some on top(unless you wanna add more to the top) then when done with the squirting then pour lots of salt on it....kinda like this
customcolor
New member
that wasnt pvc...it is CPVC and yes i sprayed it black so it blended in better.....it was the best idea i had in a long time, the manifold that is
lots of better flow and better adjustment of the water cuz i put in 1/4" locline in the ends too with fan outputs...its a perfect lps tank now!!!
customcolor
New member
opps i forgot to say it was just crystal salt for a water conditioner....and there was NO EPOXY involved in this process.
customcolor
New member
i tryed to do a movie wile i did it but the files on the camcorder where junk for some reason....i may try another one on like a 10 gal just to do a vid for the foam process i do
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