The Ultimate DIY Rocks!

[Ursus]

Does anyone recall that setup thread with the guy using ceramic 'LR' panels for his reef wall? I think it was in the large tank forum but it looked pretty good when it was finished. I've been thinking of making some DIY LR wall panels for my 75. Either that or just have an all GSP background

 

[Insane Reefer]

Where does one find this wonder foam? Does it come in anything other than black? Might be just the thing for me - I'm having to wait to do my rock until the plumbing is figured out, but that is because of the back wall I want to do - if I had the foam, and it is indeed safe, that would fix the problem, and I could progress on my rock...

 

[Barto]

WHEW, I'm tired, below is the result of darn near 4 or 5 seconds googling :lol:
Many more sources I'm sure...

http://www.blueiriswatergardens.com/subcat251.html

 

[dulim]

Great work!

 

[slevesque]

Another brand of foam and cheaper:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/11715/cid/3029

 

[Chasmodes]

The Handy Foam is what Sidewinder770 and Reefmaiden used on the threads that were posted earlier.

IR, yes, I agree, the "bridges" would need to be structurally sound. I'm thinking that having preformed holes in the DIY rock for piping is the way that I'd go because I'd want the pieces to come apart when I'd want to. I'm thinking that I could create the structure in a dry environment, place the PVC pipe into the preformed holes, then build a bridge or arch out of foam connecting the PVC pipe. Once dry, then remove the arch structure and proceed to kure the rock (or it could be done after the rocks are kured. Now, on my end, this is all speculative as I have yet to begin the process and am no where near as far along as you all are (yet to even make my first rock, LOL). But, it won't be long...funding for my projects is at hand!

:thumbsup:

 

[slevesque]

Hi, as per cement pigment goes, Randy Holmes-Farley wrote "I beleive that iron oxides would be safe in cements as pigments." Time for experimentation. Now I just have to find a car to transport that heavy bag of cement to my place!

 

[tangdiver]

Sweet on the pigments...let us know the colors mixed and such to get it the way you want.

Grant

 

[Insane Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7732410#post7732410 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigSkyBart
WHEW, I'm tired, below is the result of darn near 4 or 5 seconds googling :lol:

Don't be a twerp, BSB, lol
:fun2:

But thanks for the links...

You so good with Google, see if you can find a link for White foam, hehehe....

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I believe there is a white foam called Great Stuff that is inert. No googling there

 

[Insane Reefer]

These pigments would be great for adding red and orange"coraline" algae, something that we usually can't grow in captive tanks, because of depth or something like that.
Again, the "slurry" method would work great and add splashes of color - if you really wanted to be anal about it, you could use the brush a sort of twist it around to make the wavy licheny circles that coraline likes to grow in.

I'd be willing to go in with someone on an order - for my purposes, I only need a tablespoon or so, and these come in 3 oz bottles...

I'll buy the stuff, Red and ORange - if you want some, PM me and we will work out details.

 

[Barto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7742180#post7742180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
Don't be a twerp, BSB, lol
:fun2:

But thanks for the links...

You so good with Google, see if you can find a link for White foam, hehehe....

Twerp?
thx That makes me feel young again

I buy the "off white" foam in multiple case lots for work, will look at a can later, I think it's made by the same folks that make the black pond foam. Will check and post back later

 

[Insane Reefer]

That would be appreciated - the off white would work with my white rock so much better.
If you don't mind me asking, what work do you do that you use foam in?

 

[Barto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7742336#post7742336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
That would be appreciated - the off white would work with my white rock so much better.
If you don't mind me asking, what work do you do that you use foam in?

http://www.forms.org/index.php?act=typesoficf1

As seen on TV :lol: several of the home improvement shows have featured the product and my brand is being featured soon. I won't mention brand or program, don't want to violate the UA with a commercial plug.
Insulated Concrete Forms =ICF's
Styrofoam blocks that concrete is poured into for foundations, basements and whole houses.
I use the foam as adhesive, gap filler, and anything else I can think of to use it for.
I consult to one of the mfgrs, and do all the new dealer & contractor training west of the Mississipi, except when I have to go east of there

 

[Insane Reefer]

Very Cool - Congrat's

Let me know about the foam you use - if it is the same, minus black colorant, and the brand name so I can try to find locally.

Be interested in a PM when you go "Live"

 

[Chasmodes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7742412#post7742412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigSkyBart
http://www.forms.org/index.php?act=typesoficf1

Styrofoam blocks that concrete is poured into for foundations, basements and whole houses.
I use the foam as adhesive, gap filler, and anything else I can think of to use it for.

I guess that answers my earlier question, that the foam could make good molds for the DIY rock. Also, if the foam molds looked good enough, perhaps they could be used in some way as well?

 

[Barto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7743288#post7743288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer

Let me know about the foam you use - if it is the same, minus black colorant, and the brand name so I can try to find locally.

FOMO, is the manufacturer of Handi-Foam, the same brand I use on a regular basis. They also are the manufacturer of the black waterfall/pond foam. 1st link is for pond foam, black: 2nd link is to FOMO website with the MSDS sheets for their product line

IR, PM me if you can't find it local, I'll see what I can look up thru my dealer/distributor network.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/11715/cid/3029


http://www.fomo.com/handi-foam_one-component.aspx

 

[xinumaster]

What do you guys think about using a USED ARM media for diy rock? I was thinking of mixing aragonite sand, USED ARM, salt and cement for my diy rock.

 

[Insane Reefer]

What's ARM?

 

[Barto]

The shoulder bone is connected to the ARM bone, the ARM bone is connected to the....:lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry, no help, exhausted & darn near goofy, it made me laugh...