Foam Aquascaping?

Black Phantom · #1 03-09-2007, 07:42 PM

Has anyone here ever tried it. I'm setting up another tank and thought I might give it a try. I've seen some pictures and it looks very cool.
Any help would be appreciated

albert_dao · #2 03-09-2007, 07:57 PM

I have, it was awesome, much like me. I have a tip for you though, paint it with some kinda epoxy after you set it.

Midknight · #3 03-09-2007, 08:05 PM

Joining on if you don't mind. Would be very interested in this.

Scavenger · #4 03-09-2007, 08:10 PM

I did a styrofoam backdrop for a freshwater amazon tank. Looked great, until the damn plecos started to graze on it. I was hesitant to do one on a reef tank for the same reason. Urchins and other harsh grazers could burrow into it pretty quick leaving ugly bare foam. I too am interested in hearing success or horror stories here.

danny zubot · #5 03-09-2007, 08:48 PM

Here's a pic of my buddies 90 gallon with a foam wall. Painted with 3-4 colors of marine paint to make it look coraline.

It worked great for a while, but started to break down and expose bare foam. My thoughts are to seal it with a water tight appoxy type marine coating after painting to solidify it. He never kept things like urchins so i don't know how it would have faired against them.

Cap'n · #6 03-10-2007, 03:23 AM

I work with the nasty stuff every day, always while wearing a respirator. No way I would put expanding foam in my tank. Off-gasses for days, breaks down when exposed to sunlight, tiny abrasive particles.... I suggest reading an MSDS before using it.

I would, however, build a background out of foam, coat it with epoxy, resin, etc., then REMOVE the foam before placing in water. Good place to hide equipment as well.