Our 375 Gallon project - Page 3

reewik · 02/21/2005, 09:14 PM

Big project, but impressive so far none the less. I have also thought about the foam for the next tank, we will see.

Jimsmowen · 02/22/2005, 01:06 AM

Looking really great, do you have a picture of your girlfriends tank setup with the foam?? I would really love to see it

NOLACLS · 02/22/2005, 07:48 AM

Man that is coming along NICELY

I to would like to see the girls tank with the foam....damn good idea!

Reefmaiden · 02/23/2005, 09:52 AM

Ok, here's an old picture of my tank, not the best but you get the idea of the foam rockwork on the back. Once it gets encrusted with life you really can't tell the difference between it and the live rock.

I have to say though that the foam on Scott's tank is going to look much better than it does on my tank. With the 30" width of the tank we were really able to add some nice lumps/bumps that really make it look real.

We are expecting the Oceansmotions 4 way to be delivered today and I'm sure Scott will be busy plumbing that in tonight. Hopefully he will post some more pictures of the plumbing progress for everyone.

reefah · 02/23/2005, 11:04 AM

Wow, you almost can't distinguish between the foam and the live rock, it all looks natural!

NOLACLS · 02/23/2005, 11:10 AM

That is pretty sweet! Did you start with black foam as well?

Reefmaiden · 02/23/2005, 11:31 AM

Yeah, it is the same exact black foam that Scott used. Once it gets dusted with sand and corraline, etc grows on it it takes away from that shiney silvery-black appearance as it looks in Scott's tank right now. The picture I posted is really bad, the bulbs had shifted in the tank so the right side looks a little yellow, but the foam is actually black/grey.

NOLACLS · 02/23/2005, 11:34 AM

Very

...I may have to try that out one day

Carl_in_Florida · 02/23/2005, 11:38 AM

Not trying to hijack but the only great stuff that i have seen is yellowish. what is the black stuff?

Carl

RonSF · 02/23/2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Carl_in_Florida
Not trying to hijack but the only great stuff that i have seen is yellowish. what is the black stuff?

I'm not sure what they used, but Aquatic Ecosystems sells a black foam designed for water gardens.

sidewinder770 · 02/23/2005, 11:40 AM

It takes a bit more foam than you expect as well- each can covers about 1.5 sq ft. The foam we used is "handi-foam" black pond foam- there are a few online resellers that sell it.

Just in case you were wondering which was which-

Reefmaiden · 02/23/2005, 11:47 AM

Here's a link to the type of foam that we used:

Handi-foam

It is designed for waterfalls/water gardens and is fish safe.

Carl_in_Florida · 02/23/2005, 11:58 AM

thanks for the link.

Carl

mako56 · 02/24/2005, 05:11 AM

This is a very cool project can't wait to see the plumbing pics.

NOLACLS · 02/24/2005, 09:02 AM

Wow I didnt realize there was that little of live rock in there...verry

JustReefIt · 02/24/2005, 02:02 PM

Hi Erin,
I've got to come take a look at this monster!! I really like the black foam idea and wish I would have had more time to aquascape my 210. I only had a matter of days (more like hours) to set-up and transfer everything.
Is the tank at your place or at Scott's? I'm not sure if I've met Scott....
Anyways...the tank is looking incredible and I'll have to come by sometime and take a look, good Luck!! When you're up and running we'll have to do some serious trading, you guys should come by and check out my new tank.

Later
Brian

Reefmaiden · 02/24/2005, 02:35 PM

Hey Brian-

You are welcome to come by and take a look at it - I would certainly love to see your new tank too! The tank is at Scott's house in Mesa. Can't wait to do some trading with you, going to have alot of room in that new tank for frags!

what fish · 02/24/2005, 03:01 PM

Could the foam work on a glass tank???? and if so do you have the tank on its side and after you spray it and add the dead rocks what will suport ti when you stand it back up??? I have heard of this before and have a 225 that we are getting ready to set up and would luv to do that . any advice would be much looked for.

sidewinder770 · 02/25/2005, 12:12 PM

what fish- I think it would work just fine on glass. Basically I just turned the tank on its back and sprayed the foam on- it's messy and kind of a pain to work with as it gets very "clingy" (latex gloves are a must !). It dries to the touch in a few minutes and is completely dry within 24hours. You can sculpt it so it's 1/2" thick up to 3 or 4 inches thick. You can apply a second coat for more lumps/bumps after only a few minutes as it will harden enough by then. If you decide to add "real" rock just do it when it's wet and hold it in place for a few minutes so it doesn't fall over. Let it harden up for a day and the rock shouldn't go anywhere. I had planned on adding a few rocks as well but decided to make my own "rocks" by sculpting the foam. It really makes it easy to put "rock shelfs" where you want them and makes it a breeze to stick frags on.

Here is a pic of the plumbing so far. I have the 4 way plumbed as well but don't have any pictures of it yet. I'll get some more pictures this weekend and maybe some of it while it's filling with water and the pumps are running.

Fliger · 02/25/2005, 01:29 PM

Hey Scott, before you fill it you oughtta slide a pre-cut piece of plywood underneath the frame. I did that and just caulked it to the frame for VERY temporary support. It makes a really nice base to put things on, plus you might be able to attach the face plate to it, as well as whatever basin you build underneath the stand.

sidewinder770 · 02/25/2005, 02:07 PM

Good advice for sure and thanks for mentioning it. The plywood in the picture is what's left of the 4' x 8' sheet I had to cut for the piece that will go under the stand. the correct piece was still in the garage drying from it's 3rd coat of paint and I just stuck that under there so I could get a good estimate of what the height would be so I could put the pumps in. I also didn't want to spill pvc primer and cement all over my newly painted piece of plywood

- I get kind of messy on my pvc joints after inhaling the glue fumes for a while

- what can I say- I like the smell but it makes you loopy after a while!

hk · 03/02/2005, 05:11 PM

I LOVE that foam idea!

NOLACLS · 03/03/2005, 09:24 AM

If you are putting the stand on the edges of the wood that will be on the bottom...if its sealed up and water tight you could have a emengcy catch basin if anything sprung a leek. Im thinking of doing that on mine when I build it. I might just weld a thin sheet of steel on the bottom.

Alphabet · 03/05/2005, 11:33 PM

Great ideas and pics, things are looking good. I love the powdercoated stand too!

eraml · 03/06/2005, 02:47 PM

Just tagging along on this project.

02/23/2005, 09:52 AM	#54
Reefmaiden Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Middle of Nowhere, MI Posts: 1,049	Ok, here's an old picture of my tank, not the best but you get the idea of the foam rockwork on the back. Once it gets encrusted with life you really can't tell the difference between it and the live rock. I have to say though that the foam on Scott's tank is going to look much better than it does on my tank. With the 30" width of the tank we were really able to add some nice lumps/bumps that really make it look real. We are expecting the Oceansmotions 4 way to be delivered today and I'm sure Scott will be busy plumbing that in tonight. Hopefully he will post some more pictures of the plumbing progress for everyone. __________________ Erin Current Tank Info: 150 gallon, 2-AI Sol blues with 2-T5s for supplementation, Trigger sump and Titan skimmer, 2-MP40wes, 1 MP10wes, OM return, Apex controller

02/23/2005, 11:31 AM	#57
Reefmaiden Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Middle of Nowhere, MI Posts: 1,049	Yeah, it is the same exact black foam that Scott used. Once it gets dusted with sand and corraline, etc grows on it it takes away from that shiney silvery-black appearance as it looks in Scott's tank right now. The picture I posted is really bad, the bulbs had shifted in the tank so the right side looks a little yellow, but the foam is actually black/grey. __________________ Erin Current Tank Info: 150 gallon, 2-AI Sol blues with 2-T5s for supplementation, Trigger sump and Titan skimmer, 2-MP40wes, 1 MP10wes, OM return, Apex controller

02/23/2005, 11:38 AM	#59
Carl_in_Florida Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delray Beach, Fl Posts: 2,348	Not trying to hijack but the only great stuff that i have seen is yellowish. what is the black stuff? Carl __________________ Stupid should be painful

02/23/2005, 11:40 AM	#61
sidewinder770 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: BFE Michigan and lovin it! Posts: 1,287	It takes a bit more foam than you expect as well- each can covers about 1.5 sq ft. The foam we used is "handi-foam" black pond foam- there are a few online resellers that sell it. Just in case you were wondering which was which- __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Currently between tanks- previous tank was the June 2007 Tank of the month.

02/23/2005, 11:47 AM	#62
Reefmaiden Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Middle of Nowhere, MI Posts: 1,049	Here's a link to the type of foam that we used: Handi-foam It is designed for waterfalls/water gardens and is fish safe. __________________ Erin Current Tank Info: 150 gallon, 2-AI Sol blues with 2-T5s for supplementation, Trigger sump and Titan skimmer, 2-MP40wes, 1 MP10wes, OM return, Apex controller

02/21/2005, 09:14 PM	#51
reewik Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lavergne, Tn Posts: 2,556	Big project, but impressive so far none the less. I have also thought about the foam for the next tank, we will see.

02/22/2005, 01:06 AM	#52
Jimsmowen Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 361	Looking really great, do you have a picture of your girlfriends tank setup with the foam?? I would really love to see it

02/22/2005, 07:48 AM	#53
NOLACLS Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,224	Man that is coming along NICELY I to would like to see the girls tank with the foam....damn good idea!

02/23/2005, 11:04 AM	#55
reefah Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bellflower, CA Posts: 462	Wow, you almost can't distinguish between the foam and the live rock, it all looks natural!

02/23/2005, 11:10 AM	#56
NOLACLS Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,224	That is pretty sweet! Did you start with black foam as well?

02/23/2005, 11:34 AM	#58
NOLACLS Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,224	Very ...I may have to try that out one day

02/23/2005, 11:58 AM	#63
Carl_in_Florida Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delray Beach, Fl Posts: 2,348	thanks for the link. Carl __________________ Stupid should be painful

02/24/2005, 05:11 AM	#64
mako56 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Algoma, Wisconsin Posts: 1,182	This is a very cool project can't wait to see the plumbing pics.

02/24/2005, 09:02 AM	#65
NOLACLS Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,224	Wow I didnt realize there was that little of live rock in there...verry

02/24/2005, 02:02 PM	#66
JustReefIt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 197 Blog Entries: 1	Hi Erin, I've got to come take a look at this monster!! I really like the black foam idea and wish I would have had more time to aquascape my 210. I only had a matter of days (more like hours) to set-up and transfer everything. Is the tank at your place or at Scott's? I'm not sure if I've met Scott.... Anyways...the tank is looking incredible and I'll have to come by sometime and take a look, good Luck!! When you're up and running we'll have to do some serious trading, you guys should come by and check out my new tank. Later Brian

02/24/2005, 02:35 PM	#67
Reefmaiden Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Middle of Nowhere, MI Posts: 1,049	Hey Brian- You are welcome to come by and take a look at it - I would certainly love to see your new tank too! The tank is at Scott's house in Mesa. Can't wait to do some trading with you, going to have alot of room in that new tank for frags! __________________ Erin Current Tank Info: 150 gallon, 2-AI Sol blues with 2-T5s for supplementation, Trigger sump and Titan skimmer, 2-MP40wes, 1 MP10wes, OM return, Apex controller

02/24/2005, 03:01 PM	#68
what fish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: findlay, ohio Posts: 41	Could the foam work on a glass tank???? and if so do you have the tank on its side and after you spray it and add the dead rocks what will suport ti when you stand it back up??? I have heard of this before and have a 225 that we are getting ready to set up and would luv to do that . any advice would be much looked for. __________________ " The wheels on the Bus go round and round" Current Tank Info: I have have no tanks!!!!!!!!:*(

02/25/2005, 12:12 PM	#69
sidewinder770 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: BFE Michigan and lovin it! Posts: 1,287	what fish- I think it would work just fine on glass. Basically I just turned the tank on its back and sprayed the foam on- it's messy and kind of a pain to work with as it gets very "clingy" (latex gloves are a must !). It dries to the touch in a few minutes and is completely dry within 24hours. You can sculpt it so it's 1/2" thick up to 3 or 4 inches thick. You can apply a second coat for more lumps/bumps after only a few minutes as it will harden enough by then. If you decide to add "real" rock just do it when it's wet and hold it in place for a few minutes so it doesn't fall over. Let it harden up for a day and the rock shouldn't go anywhere. I had planned on adding a few rocks as well but decided to make my own "rocks" by sculpting the foam. It really makes it easy to put "rock shelfs" where you want them and makes it a breeze to stick frags on. Here is a pic of the plumbing so far. I have the 4 way plumbed as well but don't have any pictures of it yet. I'll get some more pictures this weekend and maybe some of it while it's filling with water and the pumps are running. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Currently between tanks- previous tank was the June 2007 Tank of the month.

02/25/2005, 01:29 PM	#70
Fliger Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 8,642	Hey Scott, before you fill it you oughtta slide a pre-cut piece of plywood underneath the frame. I did that and just caulked it to the frame for VERY temporary support. It makes a really nice base to put things on, plus you might be able to attach the face plate to it, as well as whatever basin you build underneath the stand. __________________ Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Closed minds should come with closed mouths. When life hands you lemons, add vodka! Current Tank Info: Current: 210G Elos System, 2x400W + 6x54W Photon w/Aquaconnects, H&S skimmer, Deltec FR509/ROWAphos+Elos Carbon, 6101's and 6201's, Ocean GEOtronic 900 Chiller/Heater, Biotopus II Controller w/SMS. Elos System 70.

02/25/2005, 02:07 PM	#71
sidewinder770 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: BFE Michigan and lovin it! Posts: 1,287	Good advice for sure and thanks for mentioning it. The plywood in the picture is what's left of the 4' x 8' sheet I had to cut for the piece that will go under the stand. the correct piece was still in the garage drying from it's 3rd coat of paint and I just stuck that under there so I could get a good estimate of what the height would be so I could put the pumps in. I also didn't want to spill pvc primer and cement all over my newly painted piece of plywood - I get kind of messy on my pvc joints after inhaling the glue fumes for a while - what can I say- I like the smell but it makes you loopy after a while! __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Currently between tanks- previous tank was the June 2007 Tank of the month. Last edited by sidewinder770; 02/25/2005 at 02:28 PM.

03/02/2005, 05:11 PM	#72
hk Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 34	I LOVE that foam idea! __________________ Does the 5-second rule apply in a public bathroom?

03/03/2005, 09:24 AM	#73
NOLACLS Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,224	If you are putting the stand on the edges of the wood that will be on the bottom...if its sealed up and water tight you could have a emengcy catch basin if anything sprung a leek. Im thinking of doing that on mine when I build it. I might just weld a thin sheet of steel on the bottom.

03/05/2005, 11:33 PM	#74
Alphabet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan/Vegas Posts: 501	Great ideas and pics, things are looking good. I love the powdercoated stand too! __________________ WHY NOT!! Current Tank Info: downsized to 75g

03/06/2005, 02:47 PM	#75
eraml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 365	Just tagging along on this project.