• Freshwater
    • Feature Articles
    • Columns
    • Species Profiles
  • Saltwater & Reef
    • Feature Articles
    • Columns
    • Species Profiles
  • Aquatic Plants
    • Feature Articles
    • Columns
    • Species Profiles
  • Aquarium Basics
    • Aquariums
    • Aquascaping
    • Aquarium Setup Guide
    • Filtration
    • Fish Selection & Stocking Guide
    • Foods & Feeding
    • Lighting
    • Maintenance
    • Salt Mix
    • Temperature Control
    • Water & Air Pumps
    • Water Treatment
    • Columns
  • TFH Blogs
    • Adventures in Aquascaping
    • Breeder's Challenge
    • Aquatic News
    • TFH Extras
    • Aquatic Books
    • Aquatic Videos
    • Aquatic Deals
    • Featured Products
    • Industry News
  • Inside TFH Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • View TFH Digital
    • Article Indexes
    • Authors & Columnists
    • Search Archives
    • Covers Gallery
    • Downloads
widget @ surfing-waves.com
  • TFH Forum Main ‹ Aquatic Hardware ‹ The Rest
  • Change font size
  • Print view
  • FAQ
  • Register
  • Sign In
  • New Posts

Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

A catch-all area for Aquatic Hardware that does not fit the two categories above! Please keep it related to Aquatic Hardware.
Post a reply
8 posts • Page 1 of 1

Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby Noledoc (7) » Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:42 pm

Howdy,
I am interested in constructing features such as rocky walls, caves, even simulations of tree roots including terraced structures in a freshwater tank. Kind of like making a 3-D backwall but with areas for plants, driftwood, etc. I've received mixed reports on the use of styrofoam and concrete (without lime). Even making a mound in the tank seems to be difficult, as the gravel or sand will, over time, slip downward.
Any help from wise folks?
Thanks,
Paul
Noledoc

User avatar
offline

New Member
New Member
 
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:40 pm
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby Diana (1256) » Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:35 pm

Styrofoam covered with potable water concrete product like the Sika products is aquarium safe, unless you have a really aggressive Pleco that can rasp through a thin layer of concrete.

Expanding foam filler, sold as construction material is aquarium safe, but is rather garish in color. There is a black form sold for ponds that is much better for color, but a little weird to work with. Gets the job done, but be prepared to scrape some off and redo.
Diana

User avatar
offline

Aquapedia Mentor
Aquapedia Mentor
 
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:58 pm
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby freshfish (9512) » Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:18 pm

There's an expanding foam product called "Great Stuff" (found at hardware stores or even Walmart) that can work well as long as you give it plenty of time to cure and also have enough rocks or a design that will prevent it from floating.

Krylon fusion spraypaint is aquarium-safe and can be used to give it a more natural look.
Tampa Bay Aquarium Society

Image
freshfish

User avatar
offline

Moderator With Spirit
Moderator With Spirit
 
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:57 pm
Location: Valrico, Florida
  • Website
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby Noledoc (7) » Sun Feb 27, 2011 1:29 am

Hey, thanks a heap for the suggestions and observations.
I've located some harder-than-usual styrofoam that is slate gray in color locally. This should be much easier to carve and of course look much better if pieces break off.
I'm trying to understand why cement and other materials are used to cover the styrofoam. Does the styrofoam deteriorate over time under water?
I can understand painting the styrofoam to give it the look of nature but is the paint necessary to somehow coat the styrofoam?
Also, how expensive is it to coat the styrofoam in fiberglass as compared with painting with the paint mentioned above?
Thanks very much,
Paul
Noledoc

User avatar
offline

New Member
New Member
 
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:40 pm
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby freshfish (9512) » Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:22 am

I think the main reasons are to make the styrofoam more natural looking plus help weigh it down/keep it from floating.

Most styrofoam by itself shouldn't degrade in water and should be safe. IDK about your grey styrofoam, though- might not hurt to put some in a bucket of water and test things for a while before jumping in with both feet.
Tampa Bay Aquarium Society

Image
freshfish

User avatar
offline

Moderator With Spirit
Moderator With Spirit
 
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:57 pm
Location: Valrico, Florida
  • Website
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby PVT-Kanaka (248) » Fri Apr 07, 2017 3:30 am

Glad to have come across this post! I have a bunch of foam working tools in-bound, and I was wondering if I could put foam to use in the aquarium! Will the Tiki Tank finally get a Don Ho model?

- Eric
PVT-Kanaka

User avatar
offline

Member
Member
 
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:24 am
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby C. Andrew Nelson (1325) » Fri Apr 07, 2017 5:49 pm

PVT-Kanaka wrote:Will the Tiki Tank finally get a Don Ho model?


Tiny bubbles
In the tank
Make me feel happy
Make me give thanks.

:tomato:
C. Andrew Nelson
Visual Effects & Animation Consultant
Actor & Comedian
Tropical Fish Fanatic

https://www.youtube.com/user/aquatasy
C. Andrew Nelson

User avatar
offline

Member
Member
 
Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2012 7:16 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
  • Website
Top

Re: Safe In-Tank Construction Materials

Postby dwaink (85) » Sat Apr 08, 2017 2:51 am

you can build up hills using small pieces of thin material stuck into the gravel like a dike and then pour on the next layer until it falls over the edges of the dike to make a smooth "hill" and build upwards like that, you can also use egg crate to lay on the gravel surface and then build upwards to the next egg crate piece cut to match the size of hill you are trying to make.
"If you would be thought agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things you already know."
dwaink

User avatar
offline

Member
Member
 
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:12 pm
Location: New Albany IN
Top


Post a reply
8 posts • Page 1 of 1

Return to The Rest

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


° C = ° F             Litres = US Gallons             cm = Inches            
  • TFH Forum Main
  • The team • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group

To bring together Aquatic Hobbyists from around the World sharing experiences, teaching, and learning to succeed in the Hobby while building friendships with other passionate Hobbyists

Advertise with TFH | Sell with TFH Magazine | Email Preferences | Submission Guidelines | FAQ | Subscriptions | Contact Us | Site Map | Legal Terms | Privacy Policy
©2007 Tropical Fish Hobbyist, a Central Garden and Pet Company. Proud to be partners with PetUniversity.com
cron