180G UK reef - Page 5

dzones · #**101** 12/12/2007, 07:00 PM

yes it is inert

jasonak · #**102** 12/13/2007, 09:57 PM

I dont think theres a problem with the foam,its the fiberglass i think you have to worry about.I let my rock sit a week then filled it up.But i can really semll the fiberglass smell again.I just drained my tank and im going to let it sit awhile more before i add water again.Im sure it was setup.And actually after i ran a HOB filter with carbon the smell went away but figured id just drian it and let it sit agian just to be safe.I bought the foam thats more of a tan color.I think it would have been fine with out the fiberglass on it as it matched pretty well to the marco rock i had, but i did it anyways,next time i dont think ill add the resin.

Tiggsy
Did you notice any smell when you first filled yours up?

Talfish · #**103** 12/13/2007, 10:16 PM

Looks Awesome! Great idea and instruction! I'll be using it on my next set up! Keep us posted.

Tiggsy · #**104** 12/23/2007, 09:18 PM

sorry for lack of update.

To answer a few questions......nothing i used was "reefsafe" but i am happy its all inert. I filled it in one go, waited a few days then looped to my main system - no trace of any die off at all (ran a LOT of carbon though)

As of now- i have added a few SPS to the one end with the light, added a shoal of tiny chromis. Got a little red alage that has come and now almost gone....all looking good.

Over xmas i will get the 2nd light up, 2nd vortech in and tank PC running - in the new year i will stock the other half with SPS then settle back and let it grow!

Spring i will get a carpenter to look at a surround.

Last few pics:

Tiggsy · #**105** 12/23/2007, 09:22 PM

Tiggsy · #**106** 12/23/2007, 09:22 PM

mcliffy2 · #**107** 12/23/2007, 09:59 PM

Looks great, how about an updated FTS?

Tiggsy · #**108** 12/23/2007, 10:01 PM

Its quite hard to do at the moment as only one end is lit! Once the new halide is up over the right half i'll do some FTS

giller · #**109** 12/23/2007, 11:38 PM

could you tell me if you coated resin on the foam that you werent covering with sand like in this pic? Thanks.

- Dave

/Users/davidgiller/Desktop/IMG_3714.jpg

giller · #**110** 12/23/2007, 11:39 PM

oops pic doesnt work

NightBreed1369 · #**111** 12/24/2007, 05:38 AM

Hands down one of the most amazing tanks Ive seen. And for once I get to see something I want to do BEFORE I get my new tank next month. Thank you

Tiggsy · #**112** 12/24/2007, 05:48 AM

Giller - i think you have linked to a file on your desk top (as i'm not a hacker in a Hollywood movie...i can't see it

)

If it helps - i coated all visible foam with resin and sprinkled sand/gravel on it......the only non coated foam is under/behind the rock and out of the way of any UV - i was looking at it last night and you would have a job to see any foam anywhere. In fact, someone very experienced in reefkeeping saw it and asked me how the hell i found such huge chunks of rock (they thought it was all one bit! I had to show them the photos from the summer with the egg crate and cable ties!)

Thanks to all those who left positive comments....much appreciated

wabio · #**113** 12/24/2007, 01:51 PM

Question. If I understand correctly, you didn't use the pond foam.....and used a different type. What's the advantage?

weaselslucks · #**114** 12/26/2007, 11:06 AM

what kind of epoxy resin did you use?

Felix1021 · #**115** 12/26/2007, 11:54 AM

awesome tank...love it

firedogg2 · #**116** 12/26/2007, 05:36 PM

Looks awsome!!

tcmfish · #**117** 12/26/2007, 06:00 PM

^^ to one of the above questions... I don't know what kind he used but I do know that for like 2 or 3 $s walmart sells cans i think called great stuff which is tan in color and i think the pond is black but it doesnt really matter either way as far as i know

new_world_disor · #**118** 12/26/2007, 06:37 PM

LOVE the tank. it looks amazing now its up and running. the rockwork has turned out amazing

i may give it a go. nice to see a fellow UK reefer with a big tank. im just starting up a 75g. not as big as urs.. but still nice . haha.

ad

Tiggsy · #**119** 12/26/2007, 07:49 PM

Thanks guys.

The resin is just normal fibre glass resin (very runny) and the foam is DIY store expanding foam. All pretty cheap and easy to get!

Twz · #**120** 12/31/2007, 11:57 PM

I'v been watching this thread and planning to do this with my new 65 just wondering if i use live rock (With lots of life on it)
Such as the stuff from J&L would it be okay to leave the rock out of the water while i do this?

NightBreed1369 · #**121** 01/01/2008, 10:16 AM

You will suffer mass die off if you leave it out of the water I plan on doing the same with my 65g and my new one when it arrives. But Im going to use base rock and maybe some DYI rock for shelves to put my good stuff on. Why waste good growth

Tiggsy · #**122** 01/01/2008, 01:16 PM

as above - you can only really do this with dry rock.....i have 100kg of "real" live rock in the sump (and a few lumps i chucked in the display)

Kannin · #**123** 01/01/2008, 02:16 PM

I am in the middle of doing this. Thank you Tiggsy. The coolest part is that the rocks can feel lose when they are zip tied but, once you put the foam in and it expands... everything tighten right up. It is working out great... except for the fact that I ran out of rock. I started with 130 lbs of Marco Rocks and I had to order another 50 lbs yesterday. So I have to put my reef building on hold.

Tiggsy · #**124** 01/01/2008, 03:48 PM

yep the rocks are held fast - makes attaching frags very easy later on as the rock wont budge!

Macimage · #**125** 01/04/2008, 08:32 PM

I may have missed it, but what type of sand did you use?

Beautiful tank and great build thread.

Joyce