The Foam/rock Projects Here Thread

[strgazr27]

After reading through EVERY post on this subject as well as several from other sites and about 5 hours of looking at photos of real reefs I felt I was ready to give it a shot. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out I need to finish the stand and canopy but the tank is JUST about ready.

I used a mix of about 60% rock to 40% foam. I wanted lots of texture and definition. The following is the list of "Ingredients" :

Reef Ready 65 gallon tank
About 10lbs of CaribSea Arogonite
80 lbs of CaribSea Primo reef rock
Becketts black pond foam
West Systems 105 Epoxy resin and 206 hardener. Gives about a 20 minute pot life and 75-90 minutes of working time.
Several 1" and 2" throw away brushes

I used the 10 lbs of aragonite 2 ways. I sifted it through a fine window screen for the powder and than the rest was used as a top coat. After coming up with a layout, foaming and resin top coat I used the sifted powder to lay down a base coat which gave a nice even color. When this dried I applied another coat of resin and applied the coarser aragonite top coat.

I don't have a build thread yet but will over the next several days.

Any questions I can answer them for you. Thanks for looking and thanks to all those who have done this before I have

 

[lusenut2]

Looks awesome. Great job.

 

[strgazr27]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I was a little unsure at first but just followed through with the picture I had in my head.

 

[Carriegiesler]

strgazr27-The rockwall turned our great! Are the larger rocks in the forground also part of the wall or are they free LR placement? I love the out come. You have lots of options for coral placement.

 

[strgazr27]

Carrie the larger rocks are loose. I wanted to see what the tank would look like with everything in place. I have about 10 lbs of live rock waiting for me to help start the cycle. Nice small pieces covered in pink coralline. Coral placement was one of my main considerations when I was deciding on where to place the loose pieces.

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

Which epoxy is reef safe? I am looking for some I finished my foam on my egg crate, now I just need some epoxy.. Opinions?

 

[Carriegiesler]

Bob Smith Industries FINISH-CURE 20 Minute Epoxy

Bob Smith Industries FINISH-CURE 20 Minute Epoxy

I used Bob Smith Industries FINISH-CURE 20 Minute Epoxy as it seemed to be the most prevelently used epoxy and was affordable in the amount that I needed for my nano wall.
I used two 4oz bottles on a 24 gallon nano wall if that helps you gauge how much you might need.

 

[strgazr27]

Which epoxy is reef safe? I am looking for some I finished my foam on my egg crate, now I just need some epoxy.. Opinions?

You can use what Carrie used or what I went with. West Systems epoxy. 105 Resin and 206 hardener.

 

[strgazr27]

Added a bit more rock...

Added a bit more rock...

I added 2 small "shelves" and about 15 lbs more rock. Happy with it now

 

[UtahGetMe2]

Some people have said that you don't have to cover the beckett's pond foam with epoxy if you don't want to, but when you carve the foam after it is dried to shape it the way you want, the foam is dry and flaky and does not seem as sturdy. Are there people that have experienced this and still just put it in the tank as is? If so has it broken down in the tank at all?

 

[strgazr27]

It's up and running and full of water

 

[~sp0ok~]

really nice work there!!

 

[strgazr27]

Thank you Spook. Pretty happy with it.

 

[UtahGetMe2]

Some people have said that you don't have to cover the beckett's pond foam with epoxy if you don't want to, but when you carve the foam after it is dried to shape it the way you want, the foam is dry and flaky and does not seem as sturdy. Are there people that have experienced this and still just put it in the tank as is? If so has it broken down in the tank at all?

:bounce2:

 

[customcolor]

the only place i have ever cut and shaped mine is at the top of the over flows i cover....i cut them strait and i dump a pile of silicone on the top to make it smooth so it wont trap debris.

 

[lusenut2]

Here is a updated pic of my tank. Its been up and running for about 1 month now.

 

[lusenut2]

1 more pic

 

[UtahGetMe2]

the only place i have ever cut and shaped mine is at the top of the over flows i cover....i cut them strait and i dump a pile of silicone on the top to make it smooth so it wont trap debris.

I guess I shouldn't take any chances and just cover it all up. I've already come this far.

 

[DFWBill]

Silicone

Silicone

To secure the foam/rock wall to the tank back, can you use the clear window/door/bath silicone from Lowe's or Home Depot that comes in the caulk gun size?

I found DAP Aquarium Silicone but its only in a small tube, I would need a bizillion of those.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[KafudaFish]

I also have a question.

How much area does a can of the pond foam cover?

I have a 20 x 18 inch rear plane I want to cover and want the wall to be a few inches thick. I plan on using rock as well.


I realize this is hard to answer but there is a difference between needing 2 cans and 5 for something like this.

Thanks and I have enjoyed this thread.