Foamback reef tank

Foamback project
Decided to start testing some of my ideas and skills on doing a total foamback reeftank and figured that it would much easier to do several smaller tanks before converting my 215. This first tank is a 40g

There are a couple of concepts that I want to tackle with this project, mostly experimental and designed to test some of the unusual ideas that I have. This tank will eventually have a sump, so there is an overflow box.

1) tank floor will be 100% covered in foam
2) back wall will be 75% covered in foam
3) incorporate the overflow box in the designs so that it no longer stands out.
4) hide all the powerheads
5) hide all the heaters (I always put 1 heater in a tank and the others in the sump)
6) use various techniques to make the foam look as natural as possible
7) design the tank for the specific purpose of being able to stage corals for photography

 

Got any pics? I would love to see what this looks like. I believe I've only seen this done one or two times before. Some people put rocks into the foam to make it look more realistic. Sounds like a great project.

 

lets see some pics when it comes out, i am curious. frankly alittle sceptical...but sounds fun to do either way. i have seen some good dart frog tanks with foam backs

 

I've been doing this for some time and you'll be amazed

 

yes i love these i always wanted to do one of these with a little 10g tank or something :] so yeah I'm interested :]

 

yes im def interested , i did a tree frog tank with foam like 10 yrs ago.

i am concerned about its sponge like texture, and if it would load up with PO4 and other nasties. other than that, your options for aquascaping are only limited by your imagination, and talent.

i may have to try a small one if yours works out nicely.;D

 

most of the foam back tanks i have seen, the foam is coated with an epoxy and sand to seal it and keep the foam from breaking down over time.

 

And thats what's makes them work, doing the prep work....Lots of research

 

what type of foam do you plan on using? and you are goin gto cover with epoxy resin? intereseting

 

need pics