Black foam
- Thread starter majicmike
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byronious
Active Member
I have pond filters (black, coarse foam) inside my filter socks to quiet the water splash noise. I haven't noticed any problems. Not sure if this is what you are referring to.
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majicmike
Active Member
Thank you but I'm talking about great stuff spray foam for pond liners. People use it to hold rock together. I was hoping to do the same as I have no luck with the epoxy
Jlobes
5000 Club Member
i have used it in my 120. its not a bad product but takes a little finesse. Not the best for actually holding the rocks together. but better if you can stack them and fill the "gaps" so it secures them together. its a bit tricky but useful. I use it, and epoxy, and super glue gel. thinking next time i want to use the emaco cement
kschweer
Moderator
I would recommend the emaco cement. I install ponds and work with pond foam on a regular basis. We do not use the great stuff foam, we use the aquascape pond foam. I'm not sure if they are different or not. The foam I use holds up very well in ponds, however I do not have any experience using it in a reef tank. I am pretty confident that it would work, but not sure if it would last as long in saltwater. The aquascape pond foam claims to hold up for 30 yrs in a pond. If to are going to go the foam route I would suggest doing a little practicing with it first as there is a bit of a learning curve to using it. By practicing you will get the feel for how much it expands and how much you will need in the "gaps". When we use it in ponds we usually wait until it starts to get a little tacky and put pea gravel on it to disguise it so that you do not see the black foam. You could most likely break up some dry or live rock and do the same so that the black doesn't stick out as much.
SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
I used the black pond foam for the rock background in my seahorse tank. The background has been in the tank for over a year. I have had no issues with it breaking down or degrading. I covered the foam with sand. A word of caution if you are using this product for a rock structure is to use it sparingly. The foam expands and can make rock float.
byronious
Active Member
Sorry I misunderstood. I don't plan on ever using the epoxy the LFS sold me again. 8 days of micro bubbles from the skimmer. I had to run it for short periods, because the bubbles were so bad.
To make matters worse, the epoxy didn't work worth a darn either.
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To make matters worse, the epoxy didn't work worth a darn either.
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Dave3112
2500 Club Member
I've used the regular great stuff foam(not the black) to make some pretty cool rock structures in the past. Like others have said there is a learning curve, although it's pretty short. It does make the rocks lighter and can cause them to float, so be aware of that. Just get a few pieces of dry rock rubble and practice using it before you start the main project. heck you could even use ANY rocks to practice with for that matter. Good luck and post some pics when you get it started!
Jlobes
5000 Club Member
+1. I also used the "pond" product. but had the feeling it was the same product as the great stuff...but, you can never be too careful when it comes to the tank!!
SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
I have heard several horror stories about the yellow great stuff foam. It degrades quickly in saltwater. I would rather trust something that I know is meant to see water.
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Dave3112
2500 Club Member
I have a structure that I built about 4 years ago thats still holding strong. It's not in a tank ATM but it was until about 4-5 months ago. I used it under halides for about 3 of those years too. But that's just MY own experience.....
Jlobes
5000 Club Member
+100!! dang. cant believe I forgot to mention this!! WEAR GLOVES! i do a lot of work without them, because thats just how I do. But, I wish I wouldve worn gloves with the black foam!! Weeks is no exaggeration.
kschweer
Moderator
Lol yea man it's nasty stuff. The only way I have found to get it off is to literally file it off with a pumice stone. I hate wearing gloves, the only time you will see gloves on my hands is when I'm using the foam.
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Jlobes
5000 Club Member
LOL glad others can learn from our experience!!
birdsnest
Active Member
I used the black pond foam liner that can be found at lowes. I coated it with resin research surfboard epoxy to make it stronger and coated with some beach same to give it texture.
after awhile you couldnt not figure out what was real rock.
after awhile you couldnt not figure out what was real rock.
fragmatic
retired reefer
Me too,
Wear gloves, a pocket knife will take if off enough that MEK will get the rest. I use it often and I purchased a 100 count package of plastic gloves that stays next to the cans of foam. AND wear old clothes. If you get it on your clothes, it is not coming off... EVER. Also, if you get it on your clothes loose the shirt of pants somewhere, don't let the wife find them. It is much easier than the grief you will go through.
Wear gloves, a pocket knife will take if off enough that MEK will get the rest. I use it often and I purchased a 100 count package of plastic gloves that stays next to the cans of foam. AND wear old clothes. If you get it on your clothes, it is not coming off... EVER. Also, if you get it on your clothes loose the shirt of pants somewhere, don't let the wife find them. It is much easier than the grief you will go through.
