My DIY Rock/Foam Reef

[hugeinasia]

This looks truly awesome, one of the most unique things i've seen. Do you have any pictures of the tank set up and running now? And if you don't mind me asking, do you just mold the rock to the egg crate with foam? And then spray it with a resin, and cover it with sand?

[hugeinasia]

Forget about the pictures, I just saw all of them later in the thread, it looks great! But if you can go into a little more detail on how you did it that would be appreciated.

[maka77]

Hi Kannin,
great structure and reef - in europe - austria / Germany you would pay 1500-2000 $ for these big rock - so the best way is to diy - therefore this way that you chose, is the best what i´ve seen till now - congratulations
I´ve just 1 question - how did you fix it in your tank?? or is it a "stand alone"?

Thx for your information!

best regards from Austria,
Max

[juldelf]

kannin
can you update your photobucket pictures cause we don't see anymore
thanks

[yousmellsfishy]

Originally Posted by Fishingpcola

How about some new pics Kannin.

[xcelprintingcom]

Kannin, none of the pictures of this build are working. I was really hoping to see them, I am starting my foam wall in the next week or two and was hoping to see the process from the start.

I've seen most the other foam builds here on RC but wanted to see yours as well, do you have a link to a photo album or something to show the process from the start and up to date?

Thanks,
jon

[xcelprintingcom]

Kannin?

[xcelprintingcom]

Originally Posted by juldelf

kannin
can you update your photobucket pictures cause we don't see anymore
thanks

where's the pictures?

[xcelprintingcom]

Originally Posted by Kannin

I used $13 worth of finishing resin... it was easy to work with... cured relatively quickly and as you can see by some of my pics, I applied it in my dining room... meaning, it didn't hardly smell at all.

You only used 2 7oz. bottles of resin for the entire project?

Thanks,
Jon

[juldelf]

great work
i really like

[LETMEBACKIN]

Im having lots of air bubbles from my skimmer and watse but its just water coming out like 5 gallons. this happen to anyone?

[jt48]

bump. Any updates? hello?

[DonWest]

Hi Kannin,

Fitstly, sorry to resurrect such an old thread
This is my first post on the site. I felt compelled to reply!
I have literally spent hours on here reading every single post.
Your work (as well as everyone else who has posted pics) is absolutely stunning. I recently purchased a 4ft aquaone acquiescence. I was looking at aquascaping ideas and came across your thread.

I would love to own a marine tank but I really haven't the time to look after one properly. after seeing your initial pictures I decided that I will cheat and make it look like a marine tank with Malawi cichlids stocked.

I went and purchased all the required items suggested throughout the thread and I have started the project. So far I have a little more foam work to do and the resin/sand finishing touches but so far I am so happy with how it looks. I am equally happy that I stumbled across this thread BEFORE I decided to stock my tank lol.
I also decided to put a network of tubes in through the rock/foam work so that I have several streams of air running out of various parts of the structure (I haven't yet tested this so fingers crossed it will work!)

Anyways, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone in this thread for all the help and information.

I have taken loads of progress pics of my build. As soon as it is completed I will try and post a few.

Thanks again and kind regards,

Jordon

[undertai]

I want to try this on my 24 gallon cube. But I will be replacing some of my live rock about half. I have 3 fish, lps, sps, and other corals will I have a mini cycle? Sand bed will be in place, will just be making a back wall and some caves, bridges, and ledges.
Any suggestions?

[Vadafallon]

Originally Posted by Kannin

I used a 32 gallon Brute with a 10:1 RODI/vinegar solution for 3 days. I also had two power heads in the bin. Had I done a more thurough job... I would have had less of a phosphate spike once in the display.

Why use vinegar over bleach?

[bvaughn7]

Love it! I am starting mine this week, using the black foam. Would love to know how this is doing!

[crusoe]

Amazing! Love the lighting setup - casts some very cave-like shadows. How has the foam been holding up longterm?

[bvaughn7]

completed my build - I used Pond Shield epoxy. It comes in a tan color, sets up great and no smell!

[kndmercer]

Is anyone still active on this thread I was wondering how their set up wad holding up. Also have a couple of newbie questions

[TXReefCowboy]

About to start a 480 mixed reef project (120X30X30). Wanting to use pond foam to create the back wall and some "pillars" with dryrock and sand. I can't see any updated photos of yours? Any negatives? Long term drawbacks? If you have current pics I'd love to see them.

Thanks,

Shawn

[oceanfan913]

Good ideas, hoping to see more info on the build.

[gotboostedvr6]

I did not read this whole thread but I know for a fact closed cell Poly foam is only good for dry use. In wet or underwater environments it breaks down after 1 to 3 years and becomes open cell and eventually crumbles.

UV light speed this process up