New idea for an aquascape, will styrofoam permanently float in water?

[suicune]

I have always had this idea about a floating object in aquarium. I know that styrofoam is lighter than water because of air bubble inside it. Will styrofoam float in water forever? I'm thinking about creating a floating island Avatar style, then anchor it down in an aquarium with transparent fish wire and a rock. Leaving it swinging back and forth inside the tank. Much like this idea in the picture below. But the guy basically weaved the moss to a triangular shaped mess and let them grow out then trim them to the island shape.
1_plantedtank_islandscape.jpg

[Ballinxalex]

wow that is awesome the only prob i would see if u dont tie it down would it being fliiped over or the styrofoam just floating around lol
nice idea tho

[suicune]

yeah that's what I mean!! In the picture, the illusion of the floating island is created by weaving the moss into a piece of mesh stick it on the aquarium wall, then trim the moss into island shapes. However, the island will just stay in place. I wanna cover a piece of styrofoam with mesh and moss then tie it down with clear fishing wire and a piece of lead or rock buried into the sand below. It will be a minimalist tank set up with sandy bottom, an oasis in one corner with plants and a floating island on the other side.

[Ballinxalex]

I think it should work go for it !

[suicune]

I'll test it out and see how the styrofoam will stay

[prostreet69camaro]

I used to have a hot tub with a vinyl cover with styrofoam inside. It eventually got saturated with rain water and then it was very heavy. So I think the styrofoam will eventually sink.

[suicune]

that's good to know... thanks.

[troy tucker]

styrofoam will float forever.

[Lydia]

Suicune, how did it turn out? Would love to see pics!

[suicune]

I did not go this route regretfully.

[tpark]

I have always loved the scape you referenced. Very intimidating to execute. Alot of prep work and testing. I would like to see one in person to see how noticeable the fishing line is during viewing. Obviously in pictures its invisible.

It kind of reminds me when I put white sand in my tank, it looks really cool in scapes, but after doing it. I now know its not worth the maintenance.
Still you learn:
- I now know not to use really white sand
- Never put shrimp (poop trains) in such tank
- I will probably attempt this again, and will most likely regret it

[Lydia]

Tpark-you sound like me saying "I will probably attempt this again." haha. I am redoing some planted tanks and I am going to try the floating island. I think it will be great. And I have one of those silicone jellyfish in my faux reef mbuna tank which has fishing line attached to a suction cup hidden on back glass behind rock-the line is barely visible with the water movement.

[tpark]

Make sure and post up some pics Lydia and inform us on the experience. Look forward to seeing it.

[kwc1974]

Oliver Knott did this with a spherical styrofoam piece. While I am not an advocate of "Moss Balls" Cladophora, it could be done with real mosses as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdZgwG6EeN8

http://www.pbase.com/plantella/making_of_giant_cladophora_by_oliver_knott

[tpark]

Wow that is awesome. I have not seen that. That link pbase.com, will keep me busy all class. Thanks.