The Foam/rock Projects Here Thread

[OCEAN SIZE]

Its been a few hours...

 

[Whacked]

oops double post

 

[Whacked]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15297794#post15297794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flyguy1821
Whacked, you have a Hobbytown a little ways from you.

2221 N Tracy Blvd
Tracy, CA 95376-2425
(209) 221-6391

I dont think that hobbytown exists anymore.
at least the phone # goes directly to a generic voicemail and its full.
and its not listed in the hobytown usa website store locator
I'll ask some club members who live that way.

 

[flyguy1821]

looks like the next closest is in Concord and roughly 1 hr drive each way? Probably not worth it for $10 epoxy. I would go online.

 

[is_that_a_fish]

well, i decided to use great stuff, and since my tank is a 5.5 gallon, i used canvas instead of egg crate. well, all went well until today, when i noticed that the wall wasnt flat anymore, but it had warped! now it looks kind of like a bowl, each side warping upwards a little. i hadnt touched it ever since i had put foam on it, and it is driving me nuts! anyone have any clue as to why this has happened?

 

[Andrea_Aust]

Mmm...the egg crate would have helped keep it flat. Not sure why you would use canvas? The whole point of the egg crate is to offer a flat, stable base for the foam to fix to. There is invariably some shrinkage that will occur once the foam has expanded. Using canvas I doubt you had any way to control its shape.

You also need to let these structures cure flat rather than standing up.

 

[flyguy1821]

I would agree with Andrea. You need a solid surface while the foam has a chance to harden. A 3X5 sheet of eggcrate is around $10 at HD, Lowes, Menards etc.

The good news is you have a smaller tank so shouldnt take to much to redo the job. Its all a learning process, huh?

Did you put any rock in the foam? If so tear it out or use a dremel to cut it out. You need some of that weight to hold down the foam wall when done.

 

[is_that_a_fish]

yes, the wall was on a flat surface while it was curing/hardening.
i did have some rock on the wall. the reason i used canvas rather than egg crate was for the fact that the tank is a 5.5 gallon, so egg crate would take up about .5 inch more than canvas.

im pretty sure it was becuase of the shrinkage, so next wall i do i'll tape the canvas down so it wont warp up.

btw, i can use the wall as long as i silicone it down, hopefully. if it doesnt work, i'll have to pull the rocks and do it over.

thanks for the help. i'll keep you updated.

 

[customcolor]

id be worried about the canvas it self...its made of cotton right??? cotton will rot and decay adding more nasty stuff in to your very little tank. id be worried even if you use a ton of silicone...you could miss just one spot....i dont know...since you used great stuff and its cheap i would consider redoing it.

 

[C3gear]

Not hobbytown, But6 Hobby Lobby

Not hobbytown, But6 Hobby Lobby

So here are the pics a few days Late, But it wasn't Hobbytown it was Hobby Lobby.

Here is the Epoxy I used along with the great stuff.

Here is a pic after the rocks were attached to the eggcrate with Silicone.

Here is a pic after it was foamed with Great Stuff:smokin:

Here is The pic of the Foam after it cured for 8hrs

 

[C3gear]

Dry Run and so on

Dry Run and so on

Here is a pic of the dry run before trimming

:rollface: DRY RUN after trimming and with lights.

Adding Water

 

[is_that_a_fish]

im using plastic canvas, as did yousmellsfishy who originally made the thread. i would never use cotton canvas. thats just asking for trouble.

and yes, i am thinking about redoing it, but im trying to avoid it, but its most likely unavoidable..

 

[C3gear]

Final outcome

Final outcome

And Here it is up and running for 3 days.
Thanks to everyone for all of the great info.

Too bad this guy will be going after the 1st month.

And last but not least the master mind behind my build

 

[ashrond]

i used the foam more like mortar, i sculpted some nooks anc caves into the foam as well.
here it is the day after the foam dryed

and after a 4 months

 

[xanthometopon]

Hi there

quite new to this site, but I must say a library of information.

I am nearing the build of my new tank and want to incorporate a foam wall into it.

I have had a look at Kannins and it looks brilliant.

My first question to people would be, if you could do anything different second time around what would it be??

I would prefer to learn from your experiences and gain some knowledge before I start

Many thanks

 

[ashrond]

i would have included a few sections of pvc pipe hidden behind rocks with holes in them, to make tunnels through the reef leading to other openings.

 

[zack1a]

Not sure if I would have posted a pic with a yellow tang in a 30 gallon, but yes your rock wall does look nice.

 

[customcolor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15315862#post15315862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by is_that_a_fish
im using plastic canvas, as did yousmellsfishy who originally made the thread. i would never use cotton canvas. thats just asking for trouble.

and yes, i am thinking about redoing it, but im trying to avoid it, but its most likely unavoidable..

try using it on a thin piece of acrylic. i do beleave it will stick to that realy well.

 

[customcolor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15318557#post15318557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xanthometopon
Hi there

quite new to this site, but I must say a library of information.

I am nearing the build of my new tank and want to incorporate a foam wall into it.

I have had a look at Kannins and it looks brilliant.

My first question to people would be, if you could do anything different second time around what would it be??

I would prefer to learn from your experiences and gain some knowledge before I start

Many thanks

for me..........nothing.......i have had no problems at all.......i hit the 2 year mark this month with my foam and no problems at all....still nice and firm and all there ........and i didnt use epoxy to cover mine

 

[xanthometopon]

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

Has anyone tried to incorporate their pumps into the wall structure, I was thinking of trying to create a tunze rock type of thing in the weir corner.

I would make it hollow upto the top of the tank so that i can easily get to it and clean it

What do people think?