KenT
11/11/2006, 01:54 PM
Since I wanted more live rock but don't have time to cure it and money to buy it, I decided to make my own.
I decided on using great stuff. Here is what I did
1. purchased plastic light diffuser panels from Lowes and cut them to size.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2862764360053971468frVzGX
2. Sprayed Great Stuff in random pattern on textured side of panel
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2423759610053971468lAhYYS
3. I spread the foam flat to create grip and a "substrate"
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2628179020053971468WBKkfZ
4. Free formed rock shapes and left hollow
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2444957740053971468TGrzaM
5. I filled the forms with sand to add weight. turned out not to be necessary because it did not add much weight.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2915982550053971468HzsVvH
6. Covered with foam and let set up
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2475953890053971468ElKTYS
7. I then added more foam to create a look I wanted. Obviously the possibilties are endless. You could add pipe for more flow options, create all types of ledges and overhangs etc.
I then used West Marine 2 part apoxy to cover the foam. For a more natural look I sprinkled sand on top. The coverage was thin so I had to use a few coats. I also made a batch of slurry. I mixed the apoxy then added sand to it and made it thick. This gave better coverage. All in all it took longer than I thought.
I just wanted to add some shapes to the bottom of the tank and place my established rock on top. I added 2 pillars for each side of the over flows.
Due to lack of time I was not able to get the sand I wanted so I used regular play sand. In time it should get covered with corals and coraline.
Here is the finished product.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2667353690053971468gRUchV
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2738416630053971468LyQYfU
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2990067000053971468cHeBhm
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2494745980053971468RIevID
I decided on using great stuff. Here is what I did
1. purchased plastic light diffuser panels from Lowes and cut them to size.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2862764360053971468frVzGX
2. Sprayed Great Stuff in random pattern on textured side of panel
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2423759610053971468lAhYYS
3. I spread the foam flat to create grip and a "substrate"
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2628179020053971468WBKkfZ
4. Free formed rock shapes and left hollow
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2444957740053971468TGrzaM
5. I filled the forms with sand to add weight. turned out not to be necessary because it did not add much weight.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2915982550053971468HzsVvH
6. Covered with foam and let set up
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2475953890053971468ElKTYS
7. I then added more foam to create a look I wanted. Obviously the possibilties are endless. You could add pipe for more flow options, create all types of ledges and overhangs etc.
I then used West Marine 2 part apoxy to cover the foam. For a more natural look I sprinkled sand on top. The coverage was thin so I had to use a few coats. I also made a batch of slurry. I mixed the apoxy then added sand to it and made it thick. This gave better coverage. All in all it took longer than I thought.
I just wanted to add some shapes to the bottom of the tank and place my established rock on top. I added 2 pillars for each side of the over flows.
Due to lack of time I was not able to get the sand I wanted so I used regular play sand. In time it should get covered with corals and coraline.
Here is the finished product.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2667353690053971468gRUchV
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2738416630053971468LyQYfU
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2990067000053971468cHeBhm
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2494745980053971468RIevID