Check out this DIY concrete/styro rock wall for back of tank

[Anonymous]

Pretty neat - is done for FW tank but could probably be easily adapted for a reef-type setup.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/view ... p?t=109085

 

[Anonymous]

Definitely cool, but it doesn't look like he took expansion issues into consideration. Hopefully I'm wrong, or he's going to have big problems.

Years and years ago a guy named Wayne Sallee did something very similiar in his reef tank, and he didn't reckon on expansion. Molded the concrete mix right into his tank. Something like six months later it burst 8O

 

[Anonymous]

Expansion? Of the styrofoam or the concrete?

 

[Anonymous]

Well, in Wayne's case it was the concrete. I imagine styrofoam will have issues, too.

Looking through his project page it certainly looks like he designed everything with a very snug fit in mind, then siliconed in place. I'd be a bit concerned, but the backdrop is actually sectional which is probably a good idea.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's Wayne's website:

http://waynesallee.com/

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, ouch... I remember this: http://waynesallee.com/firstcementtank.htm

That was in, hrm, 1998? 1999? Sometime around there.

 

[Omni2226]

Saw a thread (in here somewhere I believe) where a guy used greatstuff spray on insulation and stuck small rocks in it. (Along the back glass and one side)
That looked neat but I never could find a followup thread on how well it worked long term.

Seems like the concrete would add a lot of extra weight...and it expands and contracts with the heat and cold so it will crack sooner or later unless expansion joints are incorporated into the design.

Good idea but I dont know if I would try it.....