Foam Aquascaping

[Rudy]

Hi! I am in the process of setting up a 125g. I recently learned about the option of using spray foam while reading a past issue of Reekkeeping On-line Magazine.

In the past I have usually spray painted the outside back of the tank an ocean blue/green. But this option would appear to add so much more in the way of depth and 3 dimensional viewing, not to mention little hiding spots for critters.

I guess my only concerns are as follows.

1, possible toxicity to the water not to mention any critters that ultimately graze on the eventual algae growth on the foam itself

2, The color of the foam. All the stuff I have used a a home owner is yellow or white, but I heare there is a black or grey colored foam as well.

According to the Reefkeeping On-line article:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/nftt/index.htm

Many European Saltwater enthusiasts have reportedly been safely using the spray foam for years, but its use has never caught in the U.S.A.

Unfortunately, I have not heard of this first hand only from the article I referenced and another website. It would be nice if more people from "across the pond" (Europe) would chime in on the use of this stuff.

If it is indeed safe I know I am definately using it on my current work in progress.

Anyone thoughts or long term experiences with this stuff out there please feel free to share.

[Guy W]

I'm not sure about that, but I know some LFS have aquascape scenes that are made out of some kind of foam that you can buy. I'm more of a fan of the Live Rock and Sand setup.

[Rudy]

Guy,

I have every intention of using LR and a DSB, but it seems this foam can really compliment the look. If you get a chance read the article I referenced in my original post and tell me what you think?

[Guy W]

looked over the article. seems that it would be safe, and it looks interesting. My biggest concern would be keeping it clean. Once that thing start soaking up algea, fish waste, and so on I would imagine it will be nothing short of a HUGE nitrate sponge that you can never remove. That would be a major problem.

I think if you had a small tank that you could experiement with first that would be the way to go...

Guy

[Dale W.]

The spray foam is a closed cell foam so it really wont soak things up until after quite some time. I have used it quite a few times in the past and no longer use it. It can look pretty good if you work it. the biggest problem is that fish will graze on it and break it apart partially ingesting some of it. Thats when it also gets to a point of not looking good. If you want to create a back drop, try using tufa or lace rock and using fiberglass reson epoxy mixed with sand and a thickiner (sp). I have created some nice looking scapes this way and once the coraline takes hold, you will never see the joints.

[Rudy]

Reef,

Could you give me a little more detail about the back drop you mentioned. It sounds interesting and better for a long term set-up which I expect my new 125g to be. Thanks. :)

[mogurnda]

Rudy,
ejmeier did something that sounds a lot like what you want to do. If you search for him there are several threads that might be of interest.

[Rudy]

Yes, I corresponded with him on another server. Although, if long term the stuff will break down due to the critters and fish picking at it I would rather go with the stuff Guy mentioned.

[Dale W.]

Its quite simple actually,

I do have the luxery of having dead coral ruble around that I can use to create structures but on the other hand we dont have the luxery of live rock so we have to create our own.

For this you can use either tufa rock or lace rock as your base. I use an epoxy casting resin used for fiberglassing surfboards and stuff like that The peices of rock that I use range from the size of a softball to the size of 4-5 softballs laying down. For a 125g tank I would put together 6 or seven clusters that can then be put together inside the tank creating free standing walls or ledges or whatever you want. In your case where you can have live rock, I would create cavities to place LR in so that it will spread over the rest of the rock.

As far as gluing them together goes, I mix the resin a little heavy on the hardner and mix it in with q-cell or the other fiber filler to thicken it. I then add a bunch of sand to it to help blend it in with the rock. You will want to pre fit the peices that you are puting together and when ready, use plenty of the mixture to glue them together. When you are ready to place them in the tank, have a couple of inches of dry sand already in there to help cusion the rock and to help keep it placed. You can glue the clusters together inside the tank as well, especially if your creating any free standing walls for a 3 dimensional look. Remember to leave plenty of room and spaces if you plan on using live rock. With a little time and the right conditions these rocks will grow plenty of coraline on them and blend right in.