Check out the aquascaping on this 220

[purplegorilla]

So I finally got my 220 set up. Was browsing to get some ideas on aquascaping. Found this guy, looks really good..I have seen some people used the foam stuff from HD but really never any long term results.

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[purplegorilla]

Here is the link to the guys tank.

 

[eclass]

It looks very cool but what about the water absorbing chemicals out of the foam? Wouldn't it really mess your water up? I would do it when I get my next tank up and running if it is safe.

 

[purplegorilla]

EClass;128739 wrote: It looks very cool but what about the water absorbing chemicals out of the foam? Wouldn't it really mess your water up? I would do it when I get my next tank up and running if it is safe.

Well according to this site, its been done in Europe for many years including public aquariums. Now that they mentioned the subject, I have always wonder what the stuff they used on the rock formation.

 

[tnyga]

great looking aquascape...

 

[mojo]

I had come across http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=146_237">this page</a> selling ceramic "Aquaroche" a while back when looking for something else. Look what they can make out of it:

[IMG]http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/images/reef_photodaniel.jpg alt="" />

Pretty expensive, though - the tank above probably cost $1000 in ceramic rock. Imagine what it'd look like covered in coral- really cool, IMO...

 

[lorenk]

I just started experimenting with both DIY rock and the foam.

I'm using pond foam from DFS. It's grey. I've been experimenting with adding crushed oyster shell (50lbs from the feed store for about $5) right after the foam is out of the can as well as rock salt for texture. After it cures, I hosed it down to wash off the salt. Otherwise it looks like crap...seriously, it looks like doggy doo.

I think the foam is good for a filler, but I like where people mount the rock to supports with the foam. It can even be DIY rock (which is my plan).

 

[purplegorilla]

LorenK;128814 wrote: I just started experimenting with both DIY rock and the foam.

I'm using pond foam from DFS. It's grey. I've been experimenting with adding crushed oyster shell (50lbs from the feed store for about $5) right after the foam is out of the can as well as rock salt for texture. After it cures, I hosed it down to wash off the salt. Otherwise it looks like crap...seriously, it looks like doggy doo.



I think the foam is good for a filler, but I like where people mount the rock to supports with the foam. It can even be DIY rock (which is my plan).

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1184780">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1184780</a>[/QUOTE]


Do you have pictures of what you have done. I wouldn't mind seeing the artwork, even though it looks like doggie poo.

 

[tonester_man]

I did this with my 2.5 pico tank a few months ago..... it's still cycling but only used it on the back glass and fake wall I created(for the filter). Then while it was drying I added rock to it and sand.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

There was a company our of europe that mad foam inserts for the back glass that looked like a reef wall. You told them the look you were going for and they would create it to plug and play into your tank. It was reef safe and looked pretty cool. I will see if I can find the link somewhere.

My only concern about using what purple posted or what chris posted is the loss of filtering that a good amount of live rock gives you.

 

[cameron]

I love those back panels from Aquaroche. I though about dropping it in my tank.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

That foam stuff floats, so it would need to be appropriately secured to the floors and walls. I have seen a tank with it in it on RC, and when covered with coralline, it looks good. But setup was a pain in the a...

 

[lorenk]

I'll take some pics. They are not in my tank...only for experimentation at this point.

I think what's key for foam rock is to do it before you have anything in the tank. It's not really feasible to do it afterwards because the foam is too bouyant.

If we do not go out of town this weekend, i'll be making some rock if anyone is interested in coming over. It will only be a small batch to figure it out.

purpleGORILLA;128817 wrote: Do you have pictures of what you have done. I wouldn't mind seeing the artwork, even though it looks like doggie poo.

 

[ouling]

LorenK;128814 wrote: I just started experimenting with both DIY rock and the foam.

I'm using pond foam from DFS. It's grey. I've been experimenting with adding crushed oyster shell (50lbs from the feed store for about $5) right after the foam is out of the can as well as rock salt for texture. After it cures, I hosed it down to wash off the salt. Otherwise it looks like crap...seriously, it looks like doggy doo.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1184780">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1184780</a>[/QUOTE]

had to be careful there Loren, I am quite sure that oyster shells are extremely high in phosphate, but do correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[pnguye3]

I'e been told that the foam begins to flake off after a couple of years because of the corosive properties of saltwater.

 

[pfritzbelly]

This guy has been using Black pond foam for several years now. He has done some great stuff. Even has a pretty good thread on Reef Central:

http://azreef.com">http://azreef.com</a>

The Build:

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=522988">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=522988</a>

The Tank of the Month:

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=10078558#post10078558">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=10078558#post10078558</a>

Give it a look over..

 

[lorenk]

ouling;128867 wrote: had to be careful there Loren, I am quite sure that oyster shells are extremely high in phosphate, but do correct me if I'm wrong.

I thought the same which is why I was confused when I saw that as a popular ingredient for DIY Rock. I'll likely do 3:1 Salt:Cement mix. It's cheap.

pnguye3;128911 wrote: I'e been told that the foam begins to flake off after a couple of years because of the corosive properties of saltwater.

That's a good point. I'll have to ask on one of the RC threads for folks that have had their foam in for a while.

Honestly, I'd just like to find some cheap but good looking base rock and skip the DIY.

 

[blind1993]

loren you could take all of the rubble you got and cement it together and that will make it easier on you.

tell me if the foam works, my dad is going to pick up my 55g tommorow and i have till summer to get it perfect so i want to do that also.

 

[tonester_man]

Here is how mine came out with a mix of foam, rock and sand
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