Is this doable??

gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
So, I am sick of my aquascape for my 55 gallon tank. I would like to create a new environment for my tank. This is what I am thinking of doing. I would like to create a foam rock wall in panels. Perhaps, do two panels on the back of the tank (in order to accommodate my equipment) on each side and then use live rock in the center. Now, I would plan on using my current live rock for the rock formation and adding true live sand to my sand bed. Could I do this without putting my tank in a tailspin?
 
S

saxman

Guest
Krista,
Are you trying to hide the stuff that you can see thru the tank, or are you planning on making a space between the wall and the panels?
 
C

cuccaro

Guest
Is foam ok for sw? Will fish pick at it causing pieces to break off. I would love to try some thing like that but has to be better material to use
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Cuccaro the foam walls have been done a lot and is somewhat common. The pond foam vs the "Great Stuff" the white expanding foam is a better choice. The white expanding foam doesn't hold up, and when it's done not a lot of exposed foam. If they did pick at it would do to much damage.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
I've used the white, and it holds up fine under PC and T5 lighting. It doesn't hold up too well under MH, but it doesn't really break down too much even under those conditions -- just gets more spongy.
The biggest problem isn't fish picking at it, but SNAILS. As they go along eating algae, they remove a tiny bit of the foam as well. This exposes new white foam which doesn't look all that great. In the long run, I would agree that the black pond foam is more visually appealing (and holds up better) than the white stuff.
I wish GreatStuff would make an Aquarium purple, but it's probably too much a niche market for them to consider. DIYers can use a 2-part liquid urethane foam that has a purple tint if they wish, but I don't think too many people would do that.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I will post a pic tonight of my current setup (hint taken). I have a foam wall on my 16 gallon tank and I really like the look of it. I rushed when I made it and I still think it came out good. That tank is going to be a waspfish tank. I will post pics of that tank too.
Since the consensus is that it will be doable, this is the game plan:
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Tomorrow I will make the foam rock wall and let it cure. (Pics will be provided). Now, I have a question. Do you think it would be possible to attach the foam rock wall with magnets? I know some people make frag racks and they are supported using magnets. Any other suggestions are welcomed.
[*]
Let it cure for at least a week and install on 8/1/2011. (Yup, I'm giving myself a timeline if anyone thinks I should wait longer let me know).
Redo the aquascape in my tank and provide lots of pics. I will take out all my corals to keep them safe during the aquascaping to keep them safe. I will also do a good water change after I am done and keep a good amount of water ready just in case there are any spikes.
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Sounds simple enough to me.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I tried the foam wall, but I tried to cover the open areas with epoxy and could not stand the smell. I ended up throwing it out. lol
I would like to try this product instead. Someday I would love to do a rock wall in my horse tank.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Krista are you planning on using rock and foam for your walls or just foam? I know that on larger builds if your going with all foam you need a good way to keep it pinned down or else it wants to float away. Siliconing it in real good works. And a few pieces of rock in there to weight it down helps. I like the look of when it's epoxied and then covered with aragonite.
I'm not entirely sure about the magnets. I know that it's been debated and is a controversial issue. Most of the ones used within the tank in the hobby are in some type of enclosure or encapsulated somehow.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/386790/is-this-doable#post_3399393
Krista are you planning on using rock and foam for your walls or just foam? I know that on larger builds if your going with all foam you need a good way to keep it pinned down or else it wants to float away. Siliconing it in real good works. And a few pieces of rock in there to weight it down helps. I like the look of when it's epoxied and then covered with aragonite.
I'm not entirely sure about the magnets. I know that it's been debated and is a controversial issue. Most of the ones used within the tank in the hobby are in some type of enclosure or encapsulated somehow.
I'm not entirely sure on how I am going to do this. This is where I need the experts to help me. The tank will have water in it so I need to use something that can be used in water. I plan on using some dry rock to add shelves to the rock wall for corals and to also provide shady areas for less light demanding corals. I do have some concerns about using magnets and which ones/where to get them from.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
What about coating the magnets in epoxy???? Wouldn't need a super thick layer of epoxy, and good magnets should be plenty strong.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/386790/is-this-doable#post_3399417
Here's some pre-epoxied neodymium and rare earth magnets. The neodymium are real strong. http://www.magnet4less.com/index.php?cPath=1_123
I am going to get the pre-epoxied neodymium ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/386790/is-this-doable#post_3399422
Following along - looks like a cool project Gemmy - good thing to do inside on these hot days.
Unfortunately, I have to do the project outside. I live in a tiny apartment and don't have a good work space to use inside.
 
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