20H Foam Wall Build w/10g Sump

[will46r]

Thought I should start a new thread with a more descriptive title. Total ghetto build.... 20H, 10G sump with DIY Foam Wall and Ghetto fittings :hmm3:

Have 20H w/stand and 10g laying around from FW day. 10g fits inside the stand perfectly. I have some 3/16" acrylic laying around and some spare time....

Well on to bad pictures and horrible descriptions of reefing system mayhem. :celeb1:

Overall shot of egg crate, tank and system in general

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Tank-EggCrate.jpg

Picture of ghetto bulkheads, $1.50 each from Home Depot or Lowes, O-ring and a silicone bead on wet side

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/GhettoBulkhead.jpg

Ghetto herbie drains, they will be hidden behind the foam wall:

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Herbie.jpg

Ghetto flow direction... tilts up/down, rotates left/right, needs paint

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Ghettoflowcontrol.jpg

[will46r]

Yes, the reefing horror show continues..... :blown:

Tools for step 1.... hammer, brick chisel, safety glasses and I'm using lace rock. I pressure washed the rock to remove the nasties. Please wear proper safety gear, welding apron, welding gloves, respirator, hat, steel toed boots... seriously though WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Tools1.jpg

Clean lace rock, pond foam, zip ties and disposable gloves. The gloves aren't an optional item unless you just like having a lot of gunk on your hands. Zip ties are used to secure rock that wants to move or fall over.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Tools2.jpg


Next 2 pictures are of the foam walls with rocks attached. You'll see zip ties used to hold some rocks in place. I foam the back of the rock then lay it in place. Foam around the rocks afterward. You can kinda shape the foam while it's still wet. Also remember the foam will continue to expand.... I recommend playing with a few pieces to get an idea of what goes on with it. WEAR A RESPIRATOR AND HAVE FRESH AIR!!!!!

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Bigwall1.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Bigwall2.jpg

This is why you wear gloves

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/gloves.jpg

[will46r]

:dance: Yes... still going. :dance:

Tools for shaping and cleaning foam. Rasp, steak knife, STEEL wire brush and a proof of concept prototype knife I made for a customer, it's great for popping foam off in tight spots.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/tools3.jpg

What the back looks like before and after loving attention from a steak knife

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/backside1.jpg

Test fitting the panels before final foam shaping so I can see where I'm going with it.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Trialfit2.jpg

Final product, waiting for the epoxy to cure. Mixed extra hardener in to help it cook off due to low air temps.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq340/will46r/20H%20Tank%20Build%202-10-11/Trialfit3.jpg

The reason I didn't add sand to the wall is because I wanted to add depth. I undercut around some of the rocks and misted black paint on the bottoms of the rocks to help add to the illusion.

Feel free to comment, ridicule or just join in. :bounce3: