Foam Rock wall for 40 breeder

[fishuntbike]

After finishing my Fail Safe / Silent Overflow project last month, here I am again doing my Foam Rock Wall Project. I 've seen and read most of the thread for the faom/rock wall project and after gaining all the ideas I decided to start my own. Thanks to Tiggsy, Kannin, yousmellsfishy, speckled grouper and others for sharing.

So far here is what I gothttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0326.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0325.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0328.JPG

[fishuntbike]

My 40 breeder has an internal overflow in the middle about 16 inches long and a return line on the right side of the tank. So I shape my egg crate base on this shape.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263overflow_box_with_float.JPG [/IMG]


I arranged some rocks on top on this egg crate and visualized how it will looks like before tying it with zip ties. Trial and error.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0335.JPG

I made it 1 piece since the total lenght is 35 inches.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0337.JPG



This is what I came up with as final version.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0343.JPG [IMG]

[DGlove904]

Looking good, keep the updates coming.

[fishuntbike]

I got time tonight and was able to put some rocks together with the Touch and Foam the front rock.
I was playing around with this one to see how it will look

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG_0333.JPG

but end-up having this as the finish product.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0346.JPG

[fishuntbike]

the wall rock covering the overflow located in the middle of the tank. I zipped tie all the bigger rocks and scattered the smaller rocks rubble while the foam is drying.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0390.JPG

notice the opening on the top right side for the return line

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0374.JPG

And both the wall and front rock together

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0377.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG0375.JPG

[fishuntbike]

Okay. I'm slacking a little due to work at night. I have not done anything big but I tried to epoxy sand to the front rock and see how I like it:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Front_Rock.jpg

At the same time I doing the sump upgrade side by side with the foam rock project. Here is my 20 long sump with Vertex IN-100. Also drilled the return section for the 40 HD Blueline external pump.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Sump1.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Vertex.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Sump.jpg

I am close to finishing both projects but I will give a week or two for the foam rock project to cure the epoxy before installation.

Do I silicone the back or just use the foam to attached it to the tank. What would be the best? Any ideas? thanks

[DGlove904]

I think you need to silicone the foam/rock wall to the back of the tank otherwise it will float.

[fishuntbike]

Thanks for the input, that is my first option, and aside from silicone, I was thinking of extending the egg crate to the front and place sand and 2 big flat rocks on the side to serve as weight .

[aries70]

I say use the Silicone also

[fishuntbike]

I just finished the rock wall last night. I will wait for another week prior to installation. I expoxied the front wall with Finish Cure and used Samoa Pink sand to cover the foam. I also applied the expoxy at the back side just to be safe in sealing the foam for possible deterioration. So far, I've been collecting all the parts needed to plumb my new sump. I will be ready for the next weekend installation and for sure update my thread.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG_0419.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263IMG_0415.jpg

[yousmellsfishy]

Nice!:beer:

[fishuntbike]

thank you for the compliment and thanks for the great idea. I read your thread and others and it really motiviates me to build my own.

Thanks again.

[milkit]

that looks like you used a lot of foam and not a ton of rock. you MIGHT have problems with it floating to the top if you dont somehow secure it to the tank. just thought id point that out. maybe test it in some extra water you have

[fishuntbike]

Thanks for pointing that out, but actually there's a lot of big rocks in there and this thing weigh a ton when I tried to lift it and wash it out last night.

[customcolor]

you will be surprised at how good that foam floats!

[fishuntbike]

I finished the project couple of weeks ago and finally got a better picture of my 40 Breeder Rockwall. Everything is working good and I enjoy my tank every night.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Rockwall.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Rockwall1.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Rockwall2.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Rockwall3.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Rockwall4.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/98263Rockwall5.jpg

[MrRyanT]

Awesome! Very nice work! I'm looking to do something similar in a 55 soon. Thanks for sharing.

[fishuntbike]

thank you, I will be helping my friend soon to build the rock wall for his 55.