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  #26  
Old 08/21/2007, 02:30 PM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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This stuff is plastic but a little flexible - it would be impossible to snap a sheet by bending it unless you were VERY strong!
  #27  
Old 08/21/2007, 10:17 PM
Ladipyg Ladipyg is offline
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It really doesn't take all that much to break light diffusers...they pretty much snap..
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  #28  
Old 08/22/2007, 05:38 AM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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This stuff is very strong in comparison then - in fact, in a few places i hacked large sections of it away so i could get access to the rear of the structure so i could get rid of extra foam - and there is still no way 20kg of rock leaning on it will bust it...at worst, if all the foam fell apart it would just bend a bit.
  #29  
Old 08/22/2007, 10:34 AM
argetni44 argetni44 is offline
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nice
  #30  
Old 08/23/2007, 10:17 PM
erics3000 erics3000 is offline
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I love it. I have been waitng to do some type of dyi rocks great ideas
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  #31  
Old 08/24/2007, 03:09 PM
siropa siropa is offline
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I wonder if instead of foam if using something like thorite (hydraulic cement) would work. wouldn't have the float factor and it wouldn't have to be epoxy covered. plus it would be easier to push the sand/crushed coral into it because it wouldn't be pushed out.
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  #32  
Old 08/24/2007, 05:40 PM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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problem with cement is:

it would make the stuff sink...but be VERY heavy! I can easily lift my entire aquscape into the tank myslef.

it cant be trimmed - where the foam runs but is not needed i can just hack it away.

doesnt it need time to cure?
  #33  
Old 08/24/2007, 06:54 PM
siropa siropa is offline
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i've read that stuff doesn't affect pH as long as regular concrete does. dunno. I just bought my first container of it to try it on some rocks. even if it does need cure time, I can live with that.
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  #34  
Old 08/25/2007, 09:43 AM
djyox djyox is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by siropa
I wonder if instead of foam if using something like thorite (hydraulic cement) would work. wouldn't have the float factor and it wouldn't have to be epoxy covered. plus it would be easier to push the sand/crushed coral into it because it wouldn't be pushed out.

You could always use an epoxy with lots and lots of filler. You could make it very chunky if you wanted. Foam is the best way to fill the area up though.
  #35  
Old 08/25/2007, 10:54 AM
EBOLII EBOLII is offline
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just some thoughts......could you not use salt? as well as sand. Once disolved it would give the foam areas more texture. just a thought taken from the diy rock thread
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  #36  
Old 08/25/2007, 11:36 AM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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no need for salt - smothering it with coral gravel is easier, quicker and looks better.
  #37  
Old 08/25/2007, 11:43 AM
dhnguyen dhnguyen is offline
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Has anyone tried adding plastic mesh into the mix to help with the porosity?

Enkamat may work really well for this I imagine.

What do you guys think?
  #38  
Old 08/25/2007, 12:21 PM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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dont forget this structure is 75% real rock - the foam is just there to hide the joins between different bits of rock of the cable ties etc.

considering the better layout of rock that is achieved i would say the real rock (once live again) will be VERY efficient compared to a traditionally stack of rock as used normally.
  #39  
Old 08/26/2007, 06:17 AM
navyav8tr navyav8tr is offline
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Tiggsy what type of foam is that you are using? Is it the standard stuff you get at HD or Lowes or is it a special "reef safe" product?
  #40  
Old 08/26/2007, 09:05 AM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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normal DIY foam - from the hardware store. Inert when cured.
  #41  
Old 08/26/2007, 03:47 PM
Travis L. Stevens Travis L. Stevens is offline
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You can use a foam called Great Stuff for this.
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  #42  
Old 08/26/2007, 04:39 PM
customcolor customcolor is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by EBOLII
just some thoughts......could you not use salt? as well as sand. Once disolved it would give the foam areas more texture. just a thought taken from the diy rock thread
you could have used salt if you use diy rock and black pond foam like i used in my build. like this. the foam is across the top that had salt on it to match the diy.
  #43  
Old 09/02/2007, 11:43 AM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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rocks all done now, just needs a little touch up once in the tank.

75kg of rock used.....leaving a lot of swimming space in 180g.

last pic adds the tank dimensions for scale, they are 48x30x30 - a 28" water height with the rock peaking at 29".













  #44  
Old 09/02/2007, 11:55 AM
Travis L. Stevens Travis L. Stevens is offline
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It looks great! I'm definitely going to fill my gaps with foam
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  #45  
Old 09/02/2007, 12:09 PM
NanoReefWanabe NanoReefWanabe is offline
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wow that turned out amazing ...i can hardly wait to see the tank filled with water...
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  #46  
Old 09/02/2007, 01:34 PM
siropa siropa is offline
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man that stuff sure looks great. could you please post some pics after some time to show how it ages in the tank?
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  #47  
Old 09/02/2007, 05:52 PM
DaveBien DaveBien is offline
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How much to ship from the UK ???? LOL I see a DIY in the future.
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  #48  
Old 09/02/2007, 06:50 PM
Maximiliun Maximiliun is offline
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Hi Tiggsy,

Lots of WOWs for your briliant idea.

May i have permission to discuss some of your rock work in a specific brazilian forum ?

www.ipaq.org,br


All credits reference for you,

Thanks a lot for sharring it,

MAX
  #49  
Old 09/02/2007, 06:50 PM
Maximiliun Maximiliun is offline
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Hi Tiggsy,

Lots of WOWs for your briliant idea.

May i have permission to discuss some of your rock work in a specific brazilian forum ?

www.ipaq.org,br


All credits reference for you,

Thanks a lot for sharring it,

MAX
  #50  
Old 09/02/2007, 06:56 PM
Tiggsy Tiggsy is offline
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Max,

Feel free to discuss wherever you like
 

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