Use of Expanding foam... Reef Safe?!?

concept3 · 02/08/2006, 12:48 AM

In a week, I'm about to Aquascape a friend's 300 gallon tank and the opening on top of his acrylic tank does not allow me to use pieces of Live Rock over 12 inches in diameter. Our plan was to make a reef crest that would hold all SPS (so it needs to be tall), and a reef cliff on the other end that would overhang to house some lower lights LPS/Softies.

I can make a PVC rack that would take care of some aquascaping spots, but I have also seen the use of certain EXPANDING FOAMS to attach pieces together and create a much more beautiful and natural aquascape.

Any thoughts on this particular product, and the "foam life" submerged in Saltwater?

Have any of you used it? I plan on securing about 200+ lbs of Liverock in his tank...thoughts and concerns please.

Should I use the generic HD "expanding insulation foam," or go ahead and order the Pond foam from the link provided?

concept3 · 02/08/2006, 07:06 AM

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RicksReefs · 02/08/2006, 07:17 AM

use 'Great Stuff' foam.

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

Hef · 02/08/2006, 07:56 AM

The Great Stuff looks like the ticket.
I took a tour of the Aquariums For You facility in Long Branch about a year ago. They were in the process of making about 20 Acrylic Tanks, all with a Foam Backing. More of a Fresh Water design, with Roots sticking out. Didnt look that good, but he told me after you fill the tank with water and let it settle in with some good light, it looks great.

Might be something that takes a lot of practice though. I could see it looking Real Good or Real Fake. Probably gets better looking over time.

steve68 · 02/08/2006, 08:45 AM

Great stuff is the way to go !
i'll be using that on my 60 cube.

Mikeeal · 02/08/2006, 09:18 AM

Great Stuff is what I used. No problems, well, except it is VERY bouyant. I had trouble even submerging it. Now it's weighted down/held with the rocks.

concept3 · 02/08/2006, 10:38 AM

I plan on using the foam to secure his rocks together, not really to create a foam backdrop. I fugured I could squeeze some of this foam in between the LR where they meet to make them structurally sound. The back of the tank is going to be open, so I'm not using foam there.

Thanks for the replies, any more are welcome.

concept3 · 02/08/2006, 04:43 PM

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steve68 · 02/08/2006, 05:22 PM

yep that will work just remember this stuff expands so u can allways get rid of what u dont want by sraping off the Rock..

Fliger · 02/08/2006, 05:59 PM

Check sidewinder770's 375 gallon. The black foam is awesome. He did the entire back of his tank, and the PVC structure that holds the rock up. It TOTALLY blends in seemlessly with the LR, and is even getting covered in coralline, I have seen it several times in person. It also holds SPS frag plugs very well. ;-)

concept3 · 02/09/2006, 08:16 PM

thanks guys, I can't wait to aquascape 250 lbs + of liverock in a 30" tall tank next week

yaay!

ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE · 02/11/2006, 10:01 AM

see the thread i started a while back alot of awsome info..and still growing...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=447292
Touch

phenom5 · 02/11/2006, 11:17 AM

well, i used great stuff when i was building my waterfall for my pond. now, i have no idea if it's reef safe ( i would assume so, considering people have used it ), but i'll tell you this...wear gloves. the stuff is next to impossible to get of your skin.

concept3 · 02/11/2006, 01:39 PM

I did read it john, that thread had tons of info! I was mainly planning on using it as an adhesive and architectural support for the Live rock, and from what it looks like, I'll definitely be using t! I'll post pics of the progress when the aquascaping project begins!!!

1.) wear gloves
2.) use sparingly
3.) don't get it on anything you don't want it to stick to
4.) paint it with epoxy if planning on using the yellow type

02/08/2006, 12:48 AM	#1
concept3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ---->FL Posts: 2,540	Use of Expanding foam... Reef Safe?!? In a week, I'm about to Aquascape a friend's 300 gallon tank and the opening on top of his acrylic tank does not allow me to use pieces of Live Rock over 12 inches in diameter. Our plan was to make a reef crest that would hold all SPS (so it needs to be tall), and a reef cliff on the other end that would overhang to house some lower lights LPS/Softies. I can make a PVC rack that would take care of some aquascaping spots, but I have also seen the use of certain EXPANDING FOAMS to attach pieces together and create a much more beautiful and natural aquascape. Any thoughts on this particular product, and the "foam life" submerged in Saltwater? Have any of you used it? I plan on securing about 200+ lbs of Liverock in his tank...thoughts and concerns please. Should I use the generic HD "expanding insulation foam," or go ahead and order the Pond foam from the link provided?

02/08/2006, 08:45 AM	#5
steve68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Piscataway,NJ Posts: 4,058	Great stuff is the way to go ! i'll be using that on my 60 cube. __________________ "Never Give Up Never Surrender" Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder with 250w MH 10k XM bulb & 2 24inch VHO atinic 03,210 gallon Reef tank. 3 250 W MH,MRC CR-2 Reactor & MR-2 Skimmer,150 gallon sump,125 gallon refugium,75 Gallon Frag Tank & adding more water volume every t

02/08/2006, 09:18 AM	#6
Mikeeal Same avatar since '05 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 1,285	Great Stuff is what I used. No problems, well, except it is VERY bouyant. I had trouble even submerging it. Now it's weighted down/held with the rocks. __________________ "The leanest burger in the world!!! can be the MEEEAANEST burger in the world..if you cook it that way......" Current Tank Info: 125g fowlr

02/08/2006, 10:38 AM	#7
concept3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ---->FL Posts: 2,540	I plan on using the foam to secure his rocks together, not really to create a foam backdrop. I fugured I could squeeze some of this foam in between the LR where they meet to make them structurally sound. The back of the tank is going to be open, so I'm not using foam there. Thanks for the replies, any more are welcome. __________________ ====> FEED YOUR BRAIN <==== Home of the Little Brain that could http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/nftt/index.php Current Tank Info: 5' custom tank & BB, 20MDRLT ret pump, Deltec AP600, K2R reactor, 12K's on IC, 216W T5's, Tunze's 6100/6000

02/08/2006, 04:43 PM	#8
concept3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ---->FL Posts: 2,540	/\ __________________ ====> FEED YOUR BRAIN <==== Home of the Little Brain that could http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/nftt/index.php Current Tank Info: 5' custom tank & BB, 20MDRLT ret pump, Deltec AP600, K2R reactor, 12K's on IC, 216W T5's, Tunze's 6100/6000

02/08/2006, 07:06 AM	#2
concept3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ---->FL Posts: 2,540	/\

02/08/2006, 07:17 AM	#3
RicksReefs Moved On Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In America's Dangling Junk State. Posts: 6,413	use 'Great Stuff' foam. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php

02/08/2006, 07:56 AM	#4
Hef Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fair Haven NJ Posts: 2,291	The Great Stuff looks like the ticket. I took a tour of the Aquariums For You facility in Long Branch about a year ago. They were in the process of making about 20 Acrylic Tanks, all with a Foam Backing. More of a Fresh Water design, with Roots sticking out. Didnt look that good, but he told me after you fill the tank with water and let it settle in with some good light, it looks great. Might be something that takes a lot of practice though. I could see it looking Real Good or Real Fake. Probably gets better looking over time.

02/08/2006, 05:22 PM	#9
steve68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Piscataway,NJ Posts: 4,058	yep that will work just remember this stuff expands so u can allways get rid of what u dont want by sraping off the Rock.. __________________ "Never Give Up Never Surrender" Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder with 250w MH 10k XM bulb & 2 24inch VHO atinic 03,210 gallon Reef tank. 3 250 W MH,MRC CR-2 Reactor & MR-2 Skimmer,150 gallon sump,125 gallon refugium,75 Gallon Frag Tank & adding more water volume every t

02/08/2006, 05:59 PM	#10
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Check sidewinder770's 375 gallon. The black foam is awesome. He did the entire back of his tank, and the PVC structure that holds the rock up. It TOTALLY blends in seemlessly with the LR, and is even getting covered in coralline, I have seen it several times in person. It also holds SPS frag plugs very well. ;-) __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

02/09/2006, 08:16 PM	#11
concept3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ---->FL Posts: 2,540	thanks guys, I can't wait to aquascape 250 lbs + of liverock in a 30" tall tank next week yaay! __________________ ====> FEED YOUR BRAIN <==== Home of the Little Brain that could http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/nftt/index.php Current Tank Info: 5' custom tank & BB, 20MDRLT ret pump, Deltec AP600, K2R reactor, 12K's on IC, 216W T5's, Tunze's 6100/6000

02/11/2006, 10:01 AM	#12
ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 2,113	see the thread i started a while back alot of awsome info..and still growing... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=447292 Touch

02/11/2006, 11:17 AM	#13
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	well, i used great stuff when i was building my waterfall for my pond. now, i have no idea if it's reef safe ( i would assume so, considering people have used it ), but i'll tell you this...wear gloves. the stuff is next to impossible to get of your skin. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

02/11/2006, 01:39 PM	#14
concept3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ---->FL Posts: 2,540	I did read it john, that thread had tons of info! I was mainly planning on using it as an adhesive and architectural support for the Live rock, and from what it looks like, I'll definitely be using t! I'll post pics of the progress when the aquascaping project begins!!! 1.) wear gloves 2.) use sparingly 3.) don't get it on anything you don't want it to stick to 4.) paint it with epoxy if planning on using the yellow type __________________ ====> FEED YOUR BRAIN <==== Home of the Little Brain that could http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-01/nftt/index.php Current Tank Info: 5' custom tank & BB, 20MDRLT ret pump, Deltec AP600, K2R reactor, 12K's on IC, 216W T5's, Tunze's 6100/6000