pond foam, epoxy, and backgrounds

[Somrschool]

We really like this idea: 180 UK tank

Has this technique been discussed elsewhere on Reef Central?

Specifically, since this excellent tank (and its owner) are in UK, I'm wondering:

1. What brands of pond foam are reef safe? (All?) How about this one, that my LFS carries: Pur Black pond foam

2. What type of epoxy would be reef safe? Where to buy it?

3. Is there likely to be any problem with detritus buildup behind such a background? We are mounting it between two overflow boxes in a new 175g bowfront, and we plan to put siphons and return pipes for the lower manifold return behind it.

[daveverdo]

Here is one thread, there are others.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1188352


I have not used it but many people use HandiFoam

You can get it lots of places but here some info.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&Ntt=foam&Np=1

Dave

[Somrschool]

THANKS!

The thread you linked (very helpful) doesn't list an epoxy brand. ANY suggestions from anyone? (I'm thinking a putty type won't do it...)

[customcolor]

check out how i did it on my 125 build here at the bottom of the page

[Somrschool]

Thanks for that! So... does ANY brand of pond foam work for reef environments?

AND: It looks like you just used the salt treatment. Did you spray onto your back wall or onto egg crate?

[Somrschool]

FYI, Dave: I contacted Foster Smith and they told me that foam was toxic to reef tanks. (sigh)

[miwoodar]

I think the manufacturer would be a better contact than Foster Smith.

I used great stuff (the red can) about six months ago and have been very pleased with the investment. One can and about $20 in PVC (cost driven by elbows) enabled me to build this:

[Somrschool]

New question for us all: can I use basic silicone aquarium sealer to smear onto the foam and have aragonite sand stick to it (a la the UK thread) INSTEAD of any kind of epoxy?

IF not, I'm still looking for a recommendation for a particular brand of epoxy for the purpose of sticking sand to the foam after it cures.

TIA!

[Somrschool]

From what I've learned, FWIW, Beckett's and Touch 'n Foam are both reef safe foam products.

[miwoodar]

With proper calc/alk, it will be covered in coraline rather quickly. You won't even know it's not rock.

[Somrschool]

Right; but I'm concerned about UV lights breaking down the foam. SO, if I WANTED to cover with sand, would silicone hold it (bond to it) or no, do you think?

[miwoodar]

I think you could just sprinkle the sand onto the surface just before it skins over. The stuff is VERY sticky. It actually tore the plastic gloves I was wearing.

[Somrschool]

Ooooooooooooooh! THAT is a positive idea! Why, then, do you think that our hero (UK tank) used epoxy?

[MeuserReef]

I think the sand would stick better if the faom was already cured and then "rolled" in the sand after its coated w/ epoxy.

I havent used this stuff before so Im shooting from the hip on this one.

[Somrschool]

OK: so, now, for the $50,000 question: WHICH brand of epoxy? I mean, it's confusing. Most salt water epoxies are two-part putties--not easy to spread over large surfaces and it would cost a lot to do a background for my 175g. So... any recommendations?

On another note, if the sand on wet foam idea works, it might be really simple. I think I'm going to try a small sample tonight and see.

[Somrschool]

Update:

I bought and played around with some foam the other night. Here's what I found:

1. Foam is sticky and strong. When I foamed between lava rocks, they couldn't be easily separated again.

2. It looks nice (but not "reefy") to put a layer of pebbles down, then spray foam over them, then squish the egg crate into that. Most of the pebbles stick to the foam, but not all, and you can still see foam between them. If it's black foam, that's ok. So, the rocks look nice, but they are fresh water pebbles, so they don't look like reefscape. Sigh.

3. I am STILL wondering if there's a liquid epoxy out there that I could use to attach sand as Tunzy did...? Anyone?

[Urban_Squrill]

What kinda of epoxy do you guys use?

[goetzc]

FWIW:
I've read Envirotex is reef safe once cured(24hrs). You can buy it at most craft stores like Michaels and similar places.

Chris

[Jen D]

Originally posted by Somrschool
Ooooooooooooooh! THAT is a positive idea! Why, then, do you think that our hero (UK tank) used epoxy?

He let the foam dry and then carved quite a bit away so the rock wouldn't float. After the foam dries, it's not sticky anymore...

[Somrschool]

Right; which is why I'm still on the hunt for epoxy for this project.