Foam Backdrop
 

Hey all well i wanted to setup my other little 20gal tank. But i have a clear overflow and was thinking of using some type of foam to create a rock effect???? Maybe that Window Expanding foam???? After that is applied was thinking on some kind of paint? Or i guess i could use crushed liverock. Anyone know of anything??? a safe foam to use????????

this will keep you busy...277 replys and 12 pages

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...expanding+foam

there's someone here that did a 25 i think with foam...can't remember what kind, but I believe it all becomes inert after it's cured..then just painted with a marine paint of some kind..

aha.

http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12343

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...amreef-med.jpg

I still think that looks uber cool

albert_dao here on the board done this.

It's starting to get encrusted with coraline now and is looking good.

Maybe pm him for more info on what he done. :smile:

well here it is my Glass Foam Overflow. I used eggcrate to create overhangs and used PVC and eggcrate to create a cave

http://www.phatkidsinc.net/reef/overflow1.JPG

http://www.phatkidsinc.net/reef/overflow2.JPG

Cool! You should probably paint it or something though. I didn't paint mine and it started shrinking on me. It lifted away from the glass and allowed things to get behind the foam. Make me mad. Coral sticks to it mad fast though!

what would you use to paint it?

Steve

Marine enamel.

Marine enamal for anywhere? Any brand?

thgat was my plan iw as gonna paint it up. thanks

Are you guys absolutly sure that it is safe to put that in a reef tank? I would love to do that in my tank but it makes me nervous. :eek:

well my plans are to paint it then run it empty with plain water. Let it run then empty then add fresh water a few times. This way if there is any toxins in it then it should be washed out. On the can its none poison just flamable due to can pressure. Im sure it will be ok if not then i guess its a waste of time lol

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And money and every thing you put into it :eek: I don't know I am going to do more reading on it and maybe a few experiments just to make sure because I think it is totally cool :biggrin:

lol im not planning to run anything big out of the tank just small frags that i sell off.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/totm/index.htm

This months tank of the month is all foam backing and overflow.

Also note is used GREAT STUFF and this info is from the manufacture.

The breakdown is pretty noticeable, but not major. I've seen eroded areas in between the coraline, but it's not like the whole wall is disolving on me. I suspect that coraline shoud be able to cover the entire wall before there is too much breakdown of the foam.

Any constipated inverts yet Albert..?? :razz: :mrgreen:

Nope, I have a lot of unexpected RBTA's though...

reply
 

I know the 90 gallon in the pic above. He used the foam sealant, then about five different colors of marine enamal to creat a coraline effect. after it was cured he filled the tank and away he went. I'll vouch that it is none toxic. he even embedded pieces of live rock to use for coral shelves.

This is very similar to some of the 2-part extruded foam we use for projects at work. The sprayer has to wear supplied air when spraying it and sculptors have to wear respirators when carving. The foam will continue "off-gassing" for a period of 24 hrs after being sprayed, so don't put it in your tank or cut it before then.

I know this stuff is very dangerous before it is completely set and inert. However, I do plan on using it for my background, but I will not put in in the tank without a complete coating of sealant and only after sufficient time for it to cure.

http://www.betterfoam.com/one/1ComponentStraw1.html#2k


scroll down look for the aquarium safe stuff, I've never used it but I think it would be what I would use if I was going to do a foam back.


Dave

Re: reply
 

I am not worried about the foam being toxic, its the marine enamal I am worried about. I think a food grade epoxy would be better.

Steve

YA food grade epoxy would be better but u have to buy alot of it and it isnt cheap. :eek:

where would you get food safe epoxy :question:

There's this stuff:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...11733/cid/3035

Why paint it, black foam, stick a whole bunch of live rock to it and let the coraline take over.

Dave

Like i said its not cheap. i priced it and was like $150 as for no paint i hear the foam breaks down alot quicker also coraline dont stick to it very well.