NetMax
August 27th 03, 07:31 PM
"Alan Silver"
> wrote
in message ...
> Hello,
>
> After seeing NetMax's excellent response in the thread "What do I use
to
> stick rocks together ?" (see Message-ID:
> >) I have become convinced
> of the idea of using styrofoam to build a fake rock background for my
> new tank.
*NetMax blushes*
> Trouble is, most of the pages that showed construction were
> Scandinavian, and I not 100% sure how all of the materials translate
> into things available in the UK (or US for that matter). So, can anyone
> enlighten me as to the best materials to use, and what sort of place I
> would look for them ?
I think I may have just answered this in response to your last post,
before reading this post.
> I saw some mention that styrofoam is better than expanded polystyrene
as
> it is stronger. This confused me as I thought the former was just the
US
> name for the latter !! Anyone any idea what styrofoam is, and where I
> might get it in the UK ?
AFAIK, DOW Chemical owns the brand name Styrofoam, whose trade name is
polystyrene. Dow (and others) makes both expanded and extruded
polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene (usually a white material made up of
many little bubbles, used for packaging) is more compressable and comes
apart more easily than extruded polystyrene (usually has a very smooth
skin and when opened, has the texture of a chocolate Aero bar).
> Also, what about paints, dyes, epoxies, and all the other stuff used ?
> Any information would be greatly appreciated.
It becomes somewhat impractical (I think) to ensure that every paint or
dye is inert (fish-safe), so I rely on sealing it, under Fiberglass or 2
part epoxy.
NetMax
> TIA
>
> --
> Alan Silver
>
> wrote
in message ...
> Hello,
>
> After seeing NetMax's excellent response in the thread "What do I use
to
> stick rocks together ?" (see Message-ID:
> >) I have become convinced
> of the idea of using styrofoam to build a fake rock background for my
> new tank.
*NetMax blushes*
> Trouble is, most of the pages that showed construction were
> Scandinavian, and I not 100% sure how all of the materials translate
> into things available in the UK (or US for that matter). So, can anyone
> enlighten me as to the best materials to use, and what sort of place I
> would look for them ?
I think I may have just answered this in response to your last post,
before reading this post.
> I saw some mention that styrofoam is better than expanded polystyrene
as
> it is stronger. This confused me as I thought the former was just the
US
> name for the latter !! Anyone any idea what styrofoam is, and where I
> might get it in the UK ?
AFAIK, DOW Chemical owns the brand name Styrofoam, whose trade name is
polystyrene. Dow (and others) makes both expanded and extruded
polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene (usually a white material made up of
many little bubbles, used for packaging) is more compressable and comes
apart more easily than extruded polystyrene (usually has a very smooth
skin and when opened, has the texture of a chocolate Aero bar).
> Also, what about paints, dyes, epoxies, and all the other stuff used ?
> Any information would be greatly appreciated.
It becomes somewhat impractical (I think) to ensure that every paint or
dye is inert (fish-safe), so I rely on sealing it, under Fiberglass or 2
part epoxy.
NetMax
> TIA
>
> --
> Alan Silver
>