My DIY Rock/Foam Reef - Page 5

Kannin · 01/30/2008, 03:43 PM

I used about 12 ounces.

77railer · 01/30/2008, 08:31 PM

Im inspired by your patience in this project. I have none in this area,lol...looks good so far.

Leroy

ShipOFools · 01/30/2008, 09:14 PM

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com...04.html?ref=42

I think this is the stuff to use right? Also do you need to use a hardener or no?

NightBreed1369 · 01/30/2008, 09:17 PM

The stuff I picked up is in a yellow can at HD for 15$

pimpinitup6969 · 01/30/2008, 09:28 PM

sweet very nice
Matt

rsteagall · 01/31/2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kannin
...
Then I zip tied 150 lbs of Marco Rock to it...

150lbs...not 25.

So, if you're using that much rock...whats another 20lbs of mortar to keep from messing with great stuff and any kind of resin?

ed102475 · 01/31/2008, 08:34 AM

HIS TANK IS 220 GAL... MINE IS 55 GAL.

rsteagall · 01/31/2008, 08:43 AM

I'm sorry. "You're" was supposed to be in general terms. I wasn't speaking directly to you initially...wires got crossed.

ed102475 · 01/31/2008, 08:49 AM

I admit I may need a little more rock like 15 lbs or so but not 150 lbs for a 55 gal.This is why I am using mortar at the bottom to help weight it down.
I see what your saying I think that you think the great stuff looks unrealistic and that the cement/ mortar would look better IYO but I disagree.
I love the way the great stuff fills in and I think the mortar wouldn't fill in as well or and is much harder to shape IMO.

ed102475 · 01/31/2008, 09:08 AM

ed102475 · 01/31/2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rsteagall
150lbs...not 25.

So, if you're using that much rock...whats another 20lbs of mortar to keep from messing with great stuff and any kind of resin?

Quote:

I'm sorry. "You're" was supposed to be in general terms. I wasn't speaking directly to you initially...wires got crossed.

Quote:

I ordered 25 lbs. of macro rock. I might still cover with the cement also.Will QUIKRETEÂ® be ok?

I think it may have been but thats ok.

.

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 11:23 AM

If someone uses cement instead of foam... I would be very interested in seeing how it turns out... and if it is harder to work with.

Erikk · 01/31/2008, 01:00 PM

Maybe a stupid question.

In the netherlands (holland) we only use live rocks because of the bacteria's who will clean with te skimmer the water.

How do you get youre starting bacteria's in this sort of tanks.

I must say that this project is awsome and for my next aquarium is this a good idea.

We think the nitrate an phosphate will rise without live rock to extreme levels.

Can you explain this to me?

Gr Erik

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Erikk
Maybe a stupid question.

In the netherlands (holland) we only use live rocks because of the bacteria's who will clean with te skimmer the water.

How do you get youre starting bacteria's in this sort of tanks.

I must say that this project is awsome and for my next aquarium is this a good idea.

We think the nitrate an phosphate will rise without live rock to extreme levels.

Can you explain this to me?

Gr Erik

Sure Erik... I will seed the tank with some small pieces of live rock. That life will multiply in the tank and, within a few months... my rock will be live. I may also use some purchased pods to speed up the process. The ramp up time is a little longer but, well worth the savings and also for the fact that I could not have accomplished this with live rock.

Erikk · 01/31/2008, 02:16 PM

Can you tell me what brand of purchased pods to speed up the process.

And how long do you whait before you put in some corals and fishes

Greeting Erik

ed102475 · 01/31/2008, 02:31 PM

Kannin,
How many cans of foam did you use?

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Erikk
Can you tell me what brand of purchased pods to speed up the process.

And how long do you whait before you put in some corals and fishes

Greeting Erik

You can buy a bottle of liquid here in the U.S. that I think is called Tiger Pods. I've never used them before.

I'll put a few thing in... in a couple of weeks if my water is right by then. Then I'll focus on getting the rock to liven up and coraline growth.

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ed102475
Kannin,
How many cans of foam did you use?

7... I think.

Phanman1 · 01/31/2008, 02:57 PM

maybe add some purple up too to speed up the coraline process

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phanman1
maybe add some purple up too to speed up the coraline process

The two products I used and still use for my 54... are by Seachem. Reef Builder (for alkalinity) and Advantage Calcium w/ Strontium & Magnesium. That's what I will use to boost the coraline growth. I'll also aim MJ's at the live rock from the front of the tank to blow spores to the back wall and the pillars.

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 04:00 PM

Here's the two products I used... Insulating expanding foam (Great Stuff) and the epoxy resin is from Bob Smith Industries in California.

Phanman1 · 01/31/2008, 04:12 PM

do you just mix 1:1 ratio for the epoxy and hardener?

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 04:16 PM

Yes...

Kannin · 01/31/2008, 04:17 PM

The latest pics...

Phanman1 · 01/31/2008, 04:33 PM

looks freakin awesome man

01/30/2008, 03:43 PM	#101
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	I used about 12 ounces. __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

01/30/2008, 09:14 PM	#103
ShipOFools Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY Posts: 50	http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com...04.html?ref=42 I think this is the stuff to use right? Also do you need to use a hardener or no? __________________ You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do. Jerry Garcia Current Tank Info: 55, Turbo Flotor, PFO lights 30 sump

01/30/2008, 09:17 PM	#104
NightBreed1369 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: arvada/Wheat Ridge Posts: 330	The stuff I picked up is in a yellow can at HD for 15$ __________________ Take me out to the black tell them I aint comin back... Current Tank Info: 90g Reef 65g aggressive 2.5g Nano

01/30/2008, 09:28 PM	#105
pimpinitup6969 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Elmira, Ny Posts: 2,503	sweet very nice Matt __________________ I'd rather burp and taste it than fart and waste it! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, 150 Gallon

01/31/2008, 08:34 AM	#107
ed102475 Reef Custodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 954	HIS TANK IS 220 GAL... MINE IS 55 GAL. __________________ Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck.

01/30/2008, 08:31 PM	#102
77railer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sumter, South Carolina Posts: 276	Im inspired by your patience in this project. I have none in this area,lol...looks good so far. Leroy

01/31/2008, 08:43 AM	#108
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	I'm sorry. "You're" was supposed to be in general terms. I wasn't speaking directly to you initially...wires got crossed. __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: One hand holding a beer, the other in the tank, and my toes typing on the keyboard. Drunks, reefing, and keyboards do mix in a 5GAL bucket with a 1200 MJ!

01/31/2008, 08:49 AM	#109
ed102475 Reef Custodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 954	I admit I may need a little more rock like 15 lbs or so but not 150 lbs for a 55 gal.This is why I am using mortar at the bottom to help weight it down. I see what your saying I think that you think the great stuff looks unrealistic and that the cement/ mortar would look better IYO but I disagree. I love the way the great stuff fills in and I think the mortar wouldn't fill in as well or and is much harder to shape IMO. __________________ Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck.

01/31/2008, 09:08 AM	#110
ed102475 Reef Custodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 954	__________________ Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck. Last edited by ed102475; 01/31/2008 at 09:15 AM.

01/31/2008, 11:23 AM	#112
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	If someone uses cement instead of foam... I would be very interested in seeing how it turns out... and if it is harder to work with. __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

01/31/2008, 01:00 PM	#113
Erikk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 35	Maybe a stupid question. In the netherlands (holland) we only use live rocks because of the bacteria's who will clean with te skimmer the water. How do you get youre starting bacteria's in this sort of tanks. I must say that this project is awsome and for my next aquarium is this a good idea. We think the nitrate an phosphate will rise without live rock to extreme levels. Can you explain this to me? Gr Erik

01/31/2008, 02:16 PM	#115
Erikk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 35	Can you tell me what brand of purchased pods to speed up the process. And how long do you whait before you put in some corals and fishes Greeting Erik

01/31/2008, 02:31 PM	#116
ed102475 Reef Custodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 954	Kannin, How many cans of foam did you use? __________________ Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck.

01/31/2008, 02:57 PM	#119
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	maybe add some purple up too to speed up the coraline process

01/31/2008, 04:00 PM	#121
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	Here's the two products I used... Insulating expanding foam (Great Stuff) and the epoxy resin is from Bob Smith Industries in California. __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

01/31/2008, 04:12 PM	#122
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	do you just mix 1:1 ratio for the epoxy and hardener?

01/31/2008, 04:16 PM	#123
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	Yes... __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

01/31/2008, 04:17 PM	#124
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	The latest pics... __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

01/31/2008, 04:33 PM	#125
Phanman1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64	looks freakin awesome man