JPReef's 90G RR Foam/Rock build

JPReef · 03/11/2009, 09:39 AM

Alright here's what im starting with and this first post is just what i have done as of now. First off im trying to find more interesting rocks to add to the backdrop so the parts where i've already added foam i realized i needed more rocks than just the few i have now. Ill also be building small connecting pillars on either end once the main back drop is 90% completed and in the tank. This is just what i have so far. Ill be doing a lot more work throughout the week so keep the comments coming!

So far i've got about 35lbs of base rock attached to the egg crate. I'm trying to find some tonga branch or more interesting pieces of base rock for now. But this is all my local fish store had for less than 20 bucks. There's plenty more to come....

JPReef · 03/11/2009, 09:40 AM

jspot · 03/11/2009, 11:13 AM

You are going to need a lot more rock on there for weight or you will have to attach the wall to the tank to avoid it floating.

JPReef · 03/11/2009, 11:22 AM

I'm securing the bottom of the egg crate to other pieces of egg crate laying on the bottom of the tank that will be sitting under live rock and a 3-4inch sand bed. tops fit very snug under the top rim of the tank itself too. I have the floaty part covered.

thanks though

james3370 · 03/11/2009, 11:41 AM

i like the mt. dew(?) bottle cave

my other suggestion would be that the (2) pieces on the right (where the "cave" is)....i'd do those in a zig-zag joining pattern. other rock walls i have seen where they were several panels, the point where they joined together (if done in a straight line) was very noticable...whereas i saw 1 or 2 that had a random pattern to the "joint" that made it much less noticible

just my 2 cents

JPReef · 03/11/2009, 12:05 PM

Your right its Mt Dew.

Very good suggestion btw. I know exactly what you mean about the joint. That's why i stopped foaming for the day to sit back and see what i had done so i wouldn't rush through it. I'm not Picasso or Divinci but i know that good artwork is never rushed. I intend on throwing more rock at it and figure out more innovative ways to give it that POP im looking for.

james3370 · 03/11/2009, 12:24 PM

here's a suggestion i was given that i have decided to implement on my 29build rock wall......if you leave some rock off the back wall & place some rock on the tank bottom & piled up in front, the back glass painted black gives it the impression of a cave opening, so your mind gives you an optical illusion of depth

here's a pic of what i mean....wish i could remember who's tank it was to give them props LOL

JPReef · 03/11/2009, 12:59 PM

Pretty neat. Thanks. That tank looks good

customcolor · 03/11/2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by james3370
here's a suggestion i was given that i have decided to implement on my 29build rock wall......if you leave some rock off the back wall & place some rock on the tank bottom & piled up in front, the back glass painted black gives it the impression of a cave opening, so your mind gives you an optical illusion of depth

here's a pic of what i mean....wish i could remember who's tank it was to give them props LOL

that be mine

click the my red house to see the whole build on it.... and yes its still holding up well even though i didnt cover it with epoxy..... and that was almost 2 years ago

i am doing my wifes 29 jbj kinda the same way....well almost done with it i should say. here is the link for that one...my wifes little foam reef

zack1a · 03/11/2009, 08:11 PM

JPReef: Looking great I am taking on the same project on my 120g right now. It's always reassuring to see the same progress online that I am seeing at home. I just ordered my Touch n' Foam today from acehardwareoutlet.com. Ten cans cost me $60.84 or $6.08 each shipped to my house. How many cans did you use on your project? I think I may have over done it but shipping was $9 so I didn't want to have to order another batch. I could also trade or sell them to another reefer. On thing I have learned when ordering online is always buy in bulk!

Customcolor: Did you attempt to sprinkle sand or anything on the wet foam or did you simply let the algaes take over the foam until it blended in? Also, what kind of foam did you use and how many?

PS: What happened to that thread that had the links to all the different Foam wall build threads? Is there any way to revive it? I guess everyone spent too much time reading and forgot to post.

Look forward to updates!!

Thanks,

customcolor · 03/11/2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zack1a

Customcolor: Did you attempt to sprinkle sand or anything on the wet foam or did you simply let the algaes take over the foam until it blended in? Also, what kind of foam did you use and how many?

PS: What happened to that thread that had the links to all the different Foam wall build threads? Is there any way to revive it? I guess everyone spent too much time reading and forgot to post.

Look forward to updates!!

Thanks,

i just bumped the foam thread for ya

what i did is i used like 2 cans of beckett brand and i used the same molding method as foarming diy live rock and i used crystal salt to give texture( alot of it, check out my wifes reef tread) and it blended in to the diy live rock that i used to get up to the top..the foam is just across the top 5" of the over flow to cover it up.

this is what it looked like when i had it in the garage waiting to come in the house. there was alot of salt in the diy live rock and i had to cure it in the tank cuz it stuck to the glass. the amount of salt that was still in it put a coating on the foam so it realy blended nicely

zack1a · 03/11/2009, 09:18 PM

2 cans!! oh wow i think i have plenty

JPReef · 03/12/2009, 07:29 AM

Heres the foam projects thread zach, i have it in my favorites :-)

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1438807

JPReef · 03/12/2009, 07:33 AM

Oh and BTW, i only picked up 4 cans for my 90G build. Im hoping its enough.

In that last pic i used a whole can and got that much coverage just for reference.

JPReef · 03/21/2009, 10:41 AM

Figured i would throw in a few updated pictures.

Still have that last piece on the end to finish but other than that all ill need is the epoxy and sand.

JPReef · 04/02/2009, 09:46 PM

Just an update so far. Here's a couple pics:

james3370 · 04/02/2009, 10:18 PM

looking good

i've gotten started cutting the eggcrate to fit the tank, but stopped as i realized i need to do my around the top manifold first since it will sit under the upper lip. then i can cut the pieces to fit around it & the gl*******s overflow box & then go from there

JPReef · 04/25/2009, 10:03 AM

Alright here's some updated photos. I'm nowhere near complete on the aquascaping and i still have to finish up the canopy (it will cover the top "wood grain" edge) to mount the lighting as well as making new doors for the front of the stand and a possible repainting of the stand front. I also need to pickup another phosban reactor/ 2x maxi-jet 2 or 300's to run the phosbans, pickup a filter sock, and a few other odds and ends along with cleaning up the wiring. But this is what i have so far......

JPReef · 05/11/2009, 08:38 AM

Just an update:

Building the canopy.

JPReef · 05/12/2009, 08:02 AM

More updates:

Hitchhiker! - What looks like a baby chocolate starfish. :-)

james3370 · 05/12/2009, 10:23 AM

not a baby ccs.....i think those are the nuisance stars (forget the name) the are like aiptasia....reproduce like crazy. don't hurt anything though. harlequin shrimp will eat them if i remember correctly

i had some that got into my 12g nano & they were all over the inside of the rear chambers

JPReef · 05/12/2009, 11:28 AM

Are they asexual? I only see one so i wouldnt think i would have to worry about it reproducing on its own. (Atleast as far as i know i only have one.) lol

james3370 · 05/12/2009, 11:32 AM

not sure. i do know they don't get much bigger.....just all over the place LOL

**edit** just remembered....they are called asterina stars

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

james3370 · 05/12/2009, 11:45 AM

kinda like a pair of rabbits:

awwww look a pair of bunnies.........

awwww look 10 bunnies........

oh sh*t!!!! look at all the freaking rabbits!!!!

hahahahahaha

JPReef · 05/12/2009, 12:07 PM

haha, thanks for the info man, incredibly appreciated. While my tank is in the beginning stages ill keep the little guy around. So far from what im reading he will be beneficial in the diatom bloom stage of the tank startup. If he becomes a problem ive got a spare 20 long im looking to turn into an invert tank. I'll toss him in there with some other dudes and see how they fare.

:cheers:

03/11/2009, 09:39 AM	#1
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	JPReef's 90G RR Foam/Rock build Alright here's what im starting with and this first post is just what i have done as of now. First off im trying to find more interesting rocks to add to the backdrop so the parts where i've already added foam i realized i needed more rocks than just the few i have now. Ill also be building small connecting pillars on either end once the main back drop is 90% completed and in the tank. This is just what i have so far. Ill be doing a lot more work throughout the week so keep the comments coming! So far i've got about 35lbs of base rock attached to the egg crate. I'm trying to find some tonga branch or more interesting pieces of base rock for now. But this is all my local fish store had for less than 20 bucks. There's plenty more to come....

03/11/2009, 11:41 AM	#5
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	i like the mt. dew(?) bottle cave my other suggestion would be that the (2) pieces on the right (where the "cave" is)....i'd do those in a zig-zag joining pattern. other rock walls i have seen where they were several panels, the point where they joined together (if done in a straight line) was very noticable...whereas i saw 1 or 2 that had a random pattern to the "joint" that made it much less noticible just my 2 cents __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

03/11/2009, 12:24 PM	#7
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	here's a suggestion i was given that i have decided to implement on my 29build rock wall......if you leave some rock off the back wall & place some rock on the tank bottom & piled up in front, the back glass painted black gives it the impression of a cave opening, so your mind gives you an optical illusion of depth here's a pic of what i mean....wish i could remember who's tank it was to give them props LOL __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

03/11/2009, 08:11 PM	#10
zack1a Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 411	JPReef: Looking great I am taking on the same project on my 120g right now. It's always reassuring to see the same progress online that I am seeing at home. I just ordered my Touch n' Foam today from acehardwareoutlet.com. Ten cans cost me $60.84 or $6.08 each shipped to my house. How many cans did you use on your project? I think I may have over done it but shipping was $9 so I didn't want to have to order another batch. I could also trade or sell them to another reefer. On thing I have learned when ordering online is always buy in bulk! Customcolor: Did you attempt to sprinkle sand or anything on the wet foam or did you simply let the algaes take over the foam until it blended in? Also, what kind of foam did you use and how many? PS: What happened to that thread that had the links to all the different Foam wall build threads? Is there any way to revive it? I guess everyone spent too much time reading and forgot to post. Look forward to updates!! Thanks, __________________ -Zack Give a man a fish and he will have to spend about two grand on a setup. Current Tank Info: JBJ RL 30

03/11/2009, 09:18 PM	#12
zack1a Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 411	2 cans!! oh wow i think i have plenty __________________ -Zack Give a man a fish and he will have to spend about two grand on a setup. Current Tank Info: JBJ RL 30

03/11/2009, 09:40 AM	#2
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245

03/11/2009, 11:13 AM	#3
jspot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 116	You are going to need a lot more rock on there for weight or you will have to attach the wall to the tank to avoid it floating.

03/11/2009, 11:22 AM	#4
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	I'm securing the bottom of the egg crate to other pieces of egg crate laying on the bottom of the tank that will be sitting under live rock and a 3-4inch sand bed. tops fit very snug under the top rim of the tank itself too. I have the floaty part covered. thanks though

03/11/2009, 12:05 PM	#6
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Your right its Mt Dew. Very good suggestion btw. I know exactly what you mean about the joint. That's why i stopped foaming for the day to sit back and see what i had done so i wouldn't rush through it. I'm not Picasso or Divinci but i know that good artwork is never rushed. I intend on throwing more rock at it and figure out more innovative ways to give it that POP im looking for.

03/11/2009, 12:59 PM	#8
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Pretty neat. Thanks. That tank looks good

03/12/2009, 07:29 AM	#13
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Heres the foam projects thread zach, i have it in my favorites :-) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1438807

03/12/2009, 07:33 AM	#14
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Oh and BTW, i only picked up 4 cans for my 90G build. Im hoping its enough. In that last pic i used a whole can and got that much coverage just for reference.

03/21/2009, 10:41 AM	#15
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Figured i would throw in a few updated pictures. Still have that last piece on the end to finish but other than that all ill need is the epoxy and sand.

04/02/2009, 09:46 PM	#16
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Just an update so far. Here's a couple pics:

04/02/2009, 10:18 PM	#17
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	looking good i've gotten started cutting the eggcrate to fit the tank, but stopped as i realized i need to do my around the top manifold first since it will sit under the upper lip. then i can cut the pieces to fit around it & the gl*******s overflow box & then go from there __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

04/25/2009, 10:03 AM	#18
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Alright here's some updated photos. I'm nowhere near complete on the aquascaping and i still have to finish up the canopy (it will cover the top "wood grain" edge) to mount the lighting as well as making new doors for the front of the stand and a possible repainting of the stand front. I also need to pickup another phosban reactor/ 2x maxi-jet 2 or 300's to run the phosbans, pickup a filter sock, and a few other odds and ends along with cleaning up the wiring. But this is what i have so far......

05/11/2009, 08:38 AM	#19
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Just an update: Building the canopy.

05/12/2009, 08:02 AM	#20
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	More updates: Hitchhiker! - What looks like a baby chocolate starfish. :-)

05/12/2009, 10:23 AM	#21
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	not a baby ccs.....i think those are the nuisance stars (forget the name) the are like aiptasia....reproduce like crazy. don't hurt anything though. harlequin shrimp will eat them if i remember correctly i had some that got into my 12g nano & they were all over the inside of the rear chambers __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

05/12/2009, 11:28 AM	#22
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	Are they asexual? I only see one so i wouldnt think i would have to worry about it reproducing on its own. (Atleast as far as i know i only have one.) lol

05/12/2009, 11:32 AM	#23
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	not sure. i do know they don't get much bigger.....just all over the place LOL edit just remembered....they are called asterina stars http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

05/12/2009, 11:45 AM	#24
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	kinda like a pair of rabbits: awwww look a pair of bunnies......... awwww look 10 bunnies........ oh sh*t!!!! look at all the freaking rabbits!!!! hahahahahaha __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO

05/12/2009, 12:07 PM	#25
JPReef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucyrus, Ohio Posts: 245	haha, thanks for the info man, incredibly appreciated. While my tank is in the beginning stages ill keep the little guy around. So far from what im reading he will be beneficial in the diatom bloom stage of the tank startup. If he becomes a problem ive got a spare 20 long im looking to turn into an invert tank. I'll toss him in there with some other dudes and see how they fare. :cheers: