Expanding polyurethane foam

[moz]

Anybody every use Expanding polyurethane foam (in a can) to create fake live rock, or backdrops? If yes any idea which products available in SA are reef safe?
Check out this thread on "reefcentral" regarding foam.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=447292

 

[Kanga]

MIght look like rock, but it wont ever be live rock

JMO

 

[Mekaeel]

something i wouldnt trust.rather go for ceramic IMO

 

[moz]

Live rock, won't create the effect I'm looking for (3 sided rock pool, hidden equipment), and I don't have a kiln for ceramics, the other options are concrete (but 2 months to cure, thinking of a nano tank for the competition), or as a friend of mine suggested real rock and an angle grinder.

 

[Kanga]

Live rock, won't create the effect I'm looking for (3 sided rock pool, hidden equipment), and I don't have a kiln for ceramics, the other options are concrete (but 2 months to cure, thinking of a nano tank for the competition), or as a friend of mine suggested real rock and an angle grinder.

There is a ceramic place in Sydenham, also in FW i have seen guys "burn" polystyrene with a blow torch with some nice results

 

[viper357]

What exactly are you trying to create moz? A background on the glass?

 

[moz]

What exactly are you trying to create moz? A background on the glass?

Yes, i'm looking at creating a 3d background with ledges, caves etc, on three sides of the tank, the effect I'm thinking of is a rock pool with window.

 

[Mekaeel]

i know Northlands sells that backing you talking about.if im not mistaken its the same foam stuff

 

[moz]

There is a ceramic place in Sydenham, also in FW i have seen guys "burn" polystyrene with a blow torch with some nice results

Is burnt polystyrene reef safe?

 

[Kanga]

Well its FW safe if that helps

 

[viper357]

Is burnt polystyrene reef safe?

I'm sure I can remember seeing it somewhere being used in reef tanks, although I'm not too sure, that stuff really stinks when you burn it.

Like Mekaeel said, you can buy the ready made backgrounds, but they are rather expensive.

 

[Mekaeel]

whats the length and height of your glass moz?if i pop around northlands,will check up for you

 

[moz]

whats the length and heigh of your glass moz?if i pop around northlands,will check up for you

Thanks, but I am still finalizing the shape of the tank.

 

[Kanga]

Thanks, but I am still finalizing the shape of the tank.

Chris has got it as well, pricey but almost nice in a kitchy way

 

[sihaya]

MIght look like rock, but it wont ever be live rock

Whoa... dude, that's like, so deep man. :rockon:

 

[Kanga]

Whoa... dude, that's like, so deep man. :rockon:

The Tao of Kanga

 

[gaboon]

I've tried polystyrene in my snake tank and expanding foam in the frog tank.

You can see the polystyrene in the background. I melted it with thinners and then a slurry mix and paint. Worked quite well

This is the expanding foam from Braeven. Got it at Builders Warehouse. I phoned the manufacturers to see if it was safe but they didn't know so took a chance. I do know that polyurethane is safe once cured but really dont know how safe it would be in an aquarium

 

[gaboon]

 

[Mekaeel]

looks pretty cool,hope its reef safe and doesnt leach any toxins into a tank

 

[palmerc]

I would think it would be safe to use when fully cured. Regular filter sponges are also polyurethane foam (open cell foam - much softer), whereas the expanding type foam in an aerosol tends to be harder (more closed cells).


Here's an article i found which is on the topic
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/nftt/index.php