Pond foam.

[Reefs anonymous]

Anyone ever used pond foam for aquascaping? Got any advise on using it for a reef?

Thx

 

[ddrueckh]

@The Pondman

This guy seems to be a pond expert. Though I don't think he has aquascaped a reef with pond foam, he still may be able to give you good info. You can see his own build thread at: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-pondmans-560-gallon-adventure.448107/

You might want to send him a PM

Dave

 

[wmhaupfear]

We used it to build a background for our 150. It isn't up and running yet, but we do have it siliconed in and finished to our liking. We also acquired some rocks from a guy taking down his tank and he had some that were foamed together to create arches. It seems stable enough, but I covered that foam in e-marco 400 cement to be double sure the rockscape wouldn't collapse since we already had the cement mixed and ready.

If you want to look at my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i-like-big-tanks-and-i-cannot-lie.469528/

Some tips for you if you want to use the pond foam.
1. Make sure it's black pond foam so it doesn't break down in UV light.
2. You can let the foam dry for ~10mins and then press it down to deflate it a bit and it will set up flatter than if you leave it alone.
3. The foam gets EVERYWHERE. Wear trashy clothes and gloves and have extra gloves so if you get ANY on a glove you replace it immediately.
4. You can trim it after it dries/cures for 24hrs. Use a razorblade or fine tooth saw or sawzall or whatever you want.
5. To cover it, we used 2 part West Systems Epoxy (105/205) and then poured a mixture of (crushed coral/aragonite sand/crushed oyster shell) onto it and let it dry for 24hrs before tipping the wall up and letting the excess sand fall off.
6. The foam will continue to expand over the 24hrs so don't cover it with anything until after it completely dries or it will crack whatever you put on top.
7. The eggcrate we used was a light diffuser from Menards, it's like $4 for a 2x4 sheet
8. If you want to attach rocks to the eggcrate, use plastic zipties and then foam over the zipties to hide them.
9. When applying the foam, don't go in straight lines, squiggle it all over in a small square and then go back and fill in gaps to make it look more natural

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, and if I remember I will post them here. Good luck and have fun with it! Maybe @fish_Nerd228 has other things to add, since she did all the foam work anyway

 

[Reefs anonymous]

Thanks for the heads up and advise! I’m considering using it instead of live rock in the display (LR will be in sump). You background looks pretty darn good!

 

[lapin]

Remember foam floats.

 

[Jr'sReef]

I’ve done two tanks, both successful reefs. The most important thing is securing it to the back. I used 100% silicone the second time and it worked out really well. Also, the paint tends to wear away in the high light areas, probably due to UV degradation. The black foam would work better for this reason but check out the thread, both tanks are in there with full description on the build.

Jr'sReef 400 gallon tank
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/Jr'sReef-400-gallon-tank.354084/

 

[Jr'sReef]

Here’s the 400+ DT

Here’s the 55 lagoon/bay tank

Both tanks made of “original Great stuff” Foam found at hardware store.

If I had to do it again, I’d leave open circles that would fit a mp40 or Mp10 so the pumps would be really concealed into the foam wall. Vs having to put my pumps on the side walls as I have to now.

Feel free to reach out if you need help

 

[Jr'sReef]

If you decide to do it please post photos, or come back here to sshare the link to the build.

 

[sp1187]

if you are interested in another option to LR look in to Free Form Habitat.

 

[Reefs anonymous]

if you are interested in another option to LR look in to Free Form Habitat.

What’s that?

 

[Reefs anonymous]

if you are interested in another option to LR look in to Free Form Habitat.

Thanks! Didn’t know that was even a product.

 

[sp1187]

Thanks! Didn’t know that was even a product.

oh.... it's definitely a thing.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

We used it to build a background for our 150. It isn't up and running yet, but we do have it siliconed in and finished to our liking. We also acquired some rocks from a guy taking down his tank and he had some that were foamed together to create arches. It seems stable enough, but I covered that foam in e-marco 400 cement to be double sure the rockscape wouldn't collapse since we already had the cement mixed and ready.

If you want to look at my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i-like-big-tanks-and-i-cannot-lie.469528/

Some tips for you if you want to use the pond foam.
1. Make sure it's black pond foam so it doesn't break down in UV light.
2. You can let the foam dry for ~10mins and then press it down to deflate it a bit and it will set up flatter than if you leave it alone.
3. The foam gets EVERYWHERE. Wear trashy clothes and gloves and have extra gloves so if you get ANY on a glove you replace it immediately.
4. You can trim it after it dries/cures for 24hrs. Use a razorblade or fine tooth saw or sawzall or whatever you want.
5. To cover it, we used 2 part West Systems Epoxy (105/205) and then poured a mixture of (crushed coral/aragonite sand/crushed oyster shell) onto it and let it dry for 24hrs before tipping the wall up and letting the excess sand fall off.
6. The foam will continue to expand over the 24hrs so don't cover it with anything until after it completely dries or it will crack whatever you put on top.
7. The eggcrate we used was a light diffuser from Menards, it's like $4 for a 2x4 sheet
8. If you want to attach rocks to the eggcrate, use plastic zipties and then foam over the zipties to hide them.
9. When applying the foam, don't go in straight lines, squiggle it all over in a small square and then go back and fill in gaps to make it look more natural

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, and if I remember I will post them here. Good luck and have fun with it! Maybe @fish_Nerd228 has other things to add, since she did all the foam work anyway

Thanks for sharing. Amazing!!!

 

[Reefs anonymous]

oh.... it's definitely a thing.

Thx, how much of that product did you use to create that rockwork?
Thx

 

[sp1187]

Thx, how much of that product did you use to create that rockwork?
Thx

I bought 3 of the gallon units. I made two smaller structures I decided not to use. I probably have 1/4 gallon left. The tank is a 150 Tall (48 x 24 x 30).
Blue tape is 48 x 24. right side tower is 29" tall. 4" x 3" closet flange for the base. 3" pvc for the towers, with 1 1/2" pvc for the extensions.

 

[Reefs anonymous]

I bought 3 of the gallon units. I made two smaller structures I decided not to use. I probably have 1/4 gallon left. The tank is a 150 Tall (48 x 24 x 30).
Blue tape is 48 x 24. right side tower is 29" tall. 4" x 3" closet flange for the base. 3" pvc for the towers, with 1 1/2" pvc for the extensions.

Thx for the info. Very helpful.