Foam stuff for the "rock work" look????

ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE · 10/05/2004, 06:22 PM

Im looking for the Foam stuff people use in their tank to give the wall's the rock work look. Anyone know exactly what it's call, and maybe have any pictures of what the container looks like so i know what im looking for when i go to get it? Thanks.

tszetela · 10/05/2004, 09:46 PM

Great Stuff

ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE · 10/05/2004, 09:48 PM

yea i heard, so what's it called?
and know where i can find some pix of the container it come's in?

mickey57 · 10/05/2004, 09:52 PM

....I will tell you it is called "great stuff".HD or Lowes'.I used it when I ran out of rocks on my ponds' water fall.If you are trying to be funny Ha Ha

......Mickey...............

ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE · 10/05/2004, 09:54 PM

lol thanks, know where i can find a pic of the container

ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE · 10/05/2004, 09:56 PM

does this stuff need to be cured chemically or do you just spray it and add water, im thinking about spraying it on 5in PVC fittings to make Rock looking caves. I basically want to make the PVC look like Rock. So should i just spray it on the pvc and wait for it to dry and add it, or does it need to go through a type of physical/chemical cycle? thanks alot.

mickey57 · 10/05/2004, 10:03 PM

...The best I can tell ya is how my Dad descibed it to me.....It looks like a can of pam.It was a few years back but I believe the label implied you would have to use the whole can once you broke the seal.Just don't,I repeat don't get that stuff on your hands.It will take days for it to wear off.This is from experience

...................Mickey...........

tszetela · 10/05/2004, 10:24 PM

You do need to use the whole thing at once or make sure you clean the valve out. Even with a good cleaning it may not work again but it did for me.

As for curing, I have yet to put water in the tank but from what I have read once it is set it is good to go but I am still going to fill it up once with fresh water then again with salt water before I fill it up w/ my live stock.

And like mickey said this stuff does no come off your hand without taking some skin so wear gloves!

ctreptow · 10/05/2004, 10:40 PM

I have head this foam being used for rock looking structure. just make sure you protect it from UV because I have heard that it may not be UV stable and it starts to break down over time.

The rock should be cured and dry before you put it in the water.

Chris

Putawaywet · 10/06/2004, 09:54 AM

You can also sprinkle bits of sand and rubble on it while it is still wet to give it a more natural look as well as pressing small rocks into it for even more texture.

This might help lessen the effect of UV breakdown but it's still going to happen given enough time depending on what kind of lighting you have.

Brett

mickey57 · 10/06/2004, 09:57 AM

...The rocks I made for the top of my pond waterfall are four years old now.Not a sign of UV problems.It sure is "Great Stuff"

...................Mickey.............

Dubbin1 · 10/06/2004, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE
lol thanks, know where i can find a pic of the container

You will find it in the insulation section at home depot or lowes. If I remember right it is in a yellow and red spray can.

sunny03 · 10/06/2004, 11:25 AM

can post a pic of the spary can ??

pat_man_ta · 10/06/2004, 11:30 AM

it comes in black too btw.

look on pond supply sites and catalogs.

IVPush33 · 10/06/2004, 01:27 PM

THis is the first Ive heard of this stuff. Does anyone have any photos of finished products? just curious as to what it looks like?

DCruce · 10/06/2004, 01:56 PM

Here's the link for it:

http://www.dow.com/greatstuff/index.htm

rufio173 · 10/06/2004, 04:15 PM

hey guys,

I'll try to give you a pic of my newly setup with this stuff. It really is very nice. It holds rocks very well, but it is hard to get it to stay very well on vertical surfaces. So whatever you are doing you will have to lay it flat so that you can get it horizontal.

I would definitely use some small pieces of rock and also some very coarse... like caribsea seafloor mix on it. You could probably add the caribsea seafloor mix a minute after you've sprayed it and wait about 5 minutes before you drop the larger pieces of rock in it or they will just sink into the foam... although it creates these cool little pockets in the foam.

I didn't use seafloor and just used large pieces of rock, but I'm going to be working hard on growing stuff on the wall and also hope that coralline takes a liking to the stuff.

Peace,
John H.

rufio173 · 10/06/2004, 04:21 PM

What I meant by it is hard to get it to stay vertical is that it is hard to apply it on vertical surfaces because it can slide a bit.

Peace,
John H.

Dubbin1 · 10/06/2004, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mickey57
Just don't,I repeat don't get that stuff on your hands.It will take days for it to wear off.This is from experience

I learned the hard way too

rufio173 · 10/06/2004, 05:21 PM

So these are the pics of my newly setup 60 gallon cube complete with foam/rock backdrop.

[IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...design_005.jpg [/IMG]

Peace,
John H.

fkbsar · 10/06/2004, 05:30 PM

Will that start to "get live" and darken up?

rufio173 · 10/06/2004, 05:41 PM

I would certainly hope so... but only time will tell... but I have seen some good tanks... Tanu comes to mind.

He has an amazing backdrop with corals and coralline encrusting all over his. It's really nice.

The pay off takes awhile, but like anything else in this hobby. I definitely think it will be worth it.

Peace,
John H.

DRZL · 10/06/2004, 06:17 PM

Looks Interesting...I like it!...Is this stuff reef-safe from the get go or do you have to wait to cure it? if so how long...?

DRZL

rufio173 · 10/06/2004, 06:28 PM

I sprayed it on and then let it sit for about a week and then rinsed it off with water from the garden hose and then I filled it up to wet test everything and just ran it for about 2 days and then emptied out the freshwater and then just let it sit for awhile longer to let everything dry.

So far I've had nothing happen to any of the inhabitants.

It's pretty inert after it has cured. Just rinse whatever residues may remain on it after it has cured and I think you should be good to go.

Peace,
John H.

delv · 10/06/2004, 09:59 PM

I think the best means of securing the foam is to silicon multiple anchors made of glass to the walls and floor where the foam will make contact. I guess they would look like an 'n' made out of a few pieces of sandwiched glass. I think if you had quite a few of these it would very securely anchor the boyant foam.

d.

10/05/2004, 06:22 PM	#1
ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 2,114	Foam stuff for the "rock work" look???? Im looking for the Foam stuff people use in their tank to give the wall's the rock work look. Anyone know exactly what it's call, and maybe have any pictures of what the container looks like so i know what im looking for when i go to get it? Thanks.

10/05/2004, 09:46 PM	#2
tszetela Reefer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: "Metro" Detroit Posts: 326	Great Stuff __________________ Tim

10/05/2004, 09:52 PM	#4
mickey57 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,582	....I will tell you it is called "great stuff".HD or Lowes'.I used it when I ran out of rocks on my ponds' water fall.If you are trying to be funny Ha Ha ......Mickey............... __________________ Don't back anything into a corner that is meaner than you! Current Tank Info: (3)reefs: 75gl bowfront,(2)46 bowfronts:(1) 76gal bowfront(discus).(1) 49gal quarintine,(1)55gal.chilads (1)29gal.propegating tank

10/05/2004, 10:03 PM	#7
mickey57 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,582	...The best I can tell ya is how my Dad descibed it to me.....It looks like a can of pam.It was a few years back but I believe the label implied you would have to use the whole can once you broke the seal.Just don't,I repeat don't get that stuff on your hands.It will take days for it to wear off.This is from experience ...................Mickey........... __________________ Don't back anything into a corner that is meaner than you! Current Tank Info: (3)reefs: 75gl bowfront,(2)46 bowfronts:(1) 76gal bowfront(discus).(1) 49gal quarintine,(1)55gal.chilads (1)29gal.propegating tank

10/05/2004, 10:24 PM	#8
tszetela Reefer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: "Metro" Detroit Posts: 326	You do need to use the whole thing at once or make sure you clean the valve out. Even with a good cleaning it may not work again but it did for me. As for curing, I have yet to put water in the tank but from what I have read once it is set it is good to go but I am still going to fill it up once with fresh water then again with salt water before I fill it up w/ my live stock. And like mickey said this stuff does no come off your hand without taking some skin so wear gloves! __________________ Tim

10/05/2004, 09:48 PM	#3
ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 2,114	yea i heard, so what's it called? and know where i can find some pix of the container it come's in?

10/05/2004, 09:54 PM	#5
ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 2,114	lol thanks, know where i can find a pic of the container

10/05/2004, 09:56 PM	#6
ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 2,114	does this stuff need to be cured chemically or do you just spray it and add water, im thinking about spraying it on 5in PVC fittings to make Rock looking caves. I basically want to make the PVC look like Rock. So should i just spray it on the pvc and wait for it to dry and add it, or does it need to go through a type of physical/chemical cycle? thanks alot.

10/05/2004, 10:40 PM	#9
ctreptow Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 66	I have head this foam being used for rock looking structure. just make sure you protect it from UV because I have heard that it may not be UV stable and it starts to break down over time. The rock should be cured and dry before you put it in the water. Chris __________________ Chris Treptow Current Tank Info: Dual 75's one with Foam back

10/06/2004, 09:54 AM	#10
Putawaywet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 2,753	You can also sprinkle bits of sand and rubble on it while it is still wet to give it a more natural look as well as pressing small rocks into it for even more texture. This might help lessen the effect of UV breakdown but it's still going to happen given enough time depending on what kind of lighting you have. Brett

10/06/2004, 09:57 AM	#11
mickey57 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,582	...The rocks I made for the top of my pond waterfall are four years old now.Not a sign of UV problems.It sure is "Great Stuff" ...................Mickey............. __________________ Don't back anything into a corner that is meaner than you! Current Tank Info: (3)reefs: 75gl bowfront,(2)46 bowfronts:(1) 76gal bowfront(discus).(1) 49gal quarintine,(1)55gal.chilads (1)29gal.propegating tank

10/06/2004, 11:25 AM	#13
sunny03 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: singapore Posts: 146	can post a pic of the spary can ??

10/06/2004, 11:30 AM	#14
pat_man_ta Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 416	it comes in black too btw. look on pond supply sites and catalogs. __________________ est. 2003 Current Tank Info: 5.5g & 10g NANOs, 58g Reef

10/06/2004, 01:27 PM	#15
IVPush33 Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 170	THis is the first Ive heard of this stuff. Does anyone have any photos of finished products? just curious as to what it looks like?

10/06/2004, 01:56 PM	#16
DCruce Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 29	Here's the link for it: http://www.dow.com/greatstuff/index.htm

10/06/2004, 04:15 PM	#17
rufio173 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 4,173	hey guys, I'll try to give you a pic of my newly setup with this stuff. It really is very nice. It holds rocks very well, but it is hard to get it to stay very well on vertical surfaces. So whatever you are doing you will have to lay it flat so that you can get it horizontal. I would definitely use some small pieces of rock and also some very coarse... like caribsea seafloor mix on it. You could probably add the caribsea seafloor mix a minute after you've sprayed it and wait about 5 minutes before you drop the larger pieces of rock in it or they will just sink into the foam... although it creates these cool little pockets in the foam. I didn't use seafloor and just used large pieces of rock, but I'm going to be working hard on growing stuff on the wall and also hope that coralline takes a liking to the stuff. Peace, John H.

10/06/2004, 04:21 PM	#18
rufio173 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 4,173	What I meant by it is hard to get it to stay vertical is that it is hard to apply it on vertical surfaces because it can slide a bit. Peace, John H.

10/06/2004, 05:21 PM	#20
rufio173 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 4,173	Enjoy these pictures :) So these are the pics of my newly setup 60 gallon cube complete with foam/rock backdrop. [IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...design_005.jpg [/IMG] Peace, John H.

10/06/2004, 05:30 PM	#21
fkbsar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 945	Will that start to "get live" and darken up? __________________ ~Fran~ "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired..." - Rev. James Cleveland (4) 54w T5s, Coral Beauty, False Perc and True Perc, 4-Chromis, Yellow Tang, and the Support Staff Current Tank Info: 72g Bowfront 20g sump/refugium

10/06/2004, 05:41 PM	#22
rufio173 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 4,173	I would certainly hope so... but only time will tell... but I have seen some good tanks... Tanu comes to mind. He has an amazing backdrop with corals and coralline encrusting all over his. It's really nice. The pay off takes awhile, but like anything else in this hobby. I definitely think it will be worth it. Peace, John H.

10/06/2004, 06:17 PM	#23
DRZL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 50	Looks Interesting...I like it!...Is this stuff reef-safe from the get go or do you have to wait to cure it? if so how long...? DRZL __________________ Take your Umbrellas out, I'm about to brainstorm Current Tank Info: 36G mini-reef bowfront in the works

10/06/2004, 06:28 PM	#24
rufio173 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 4,173	I sprayed it on and then let it sit for about a week and then rinsed it off with water from the garden hose and then I filled it up to wet test everything and just ran it for about 2 days and then emptied out the freshwater and then just let it sit for awhile longer to let everything dry. So far I've had nothing happen to any of the inhabitants. It's pretty inert after it has cured. Just rinse whatever residues may remain on it after it has cured and I think you should be good to go. Peace, John H.

10/06/2004, 09:59 PM	#25
delv Moved On Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The BK, NYC Posts: 1,104	I think the best means of securing the foam is to silicon multiple anchors made of glass to the walls and floor where the foam will make contact. I guess they would look like an 'n' made out of a few pieces of sandwiched glass. I think if you had quite a few of these it would very securely anchor the boyant foam. d.