Great stuff

[hdavidf309]

I don't know if you have ever heard of "great stuff", but its cheap, easy to get at any hardware store/wal-mart/ect.., and you can use it to make all kinds of cool, unique things for your terrarium and/or vivariums! The original use for this product is to insulate pipes and vents as to allow for no leaks of air and liquids, but this is a great non-toxic product that molds easily, and that is waterproof and weather proof that is sure to make an impression if used properly. Friends and I have made hides, ledges, backgrounds, and pretty much anything else with this and as long as you are very carefull (it is VERY sticky and stinky until dry) and accurate.....this product will save costs while doing wonders for your enclosure! Just wanted to share!

 

[bwoodfield]

Hey hdavidf, ya there have been a few different posts regarding using expanding foam.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/do-yourself-diy/54009-molding-sculptures-safe-leopard-geckos.html
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/do-yourself-diy/54312-great-stuff-question.html
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/do-yourself-diy/29857-fake-rock-questions.html
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/do-yourself-diy/48771-styrofoam-grout-hides.html

 

[idontknow]

Yep greatstuff is fantastic. I used it for my 125 gallon viv. Then I used a mixture of Titebond 3 wood glue and peat moss to cover it up. Makes a nice covering thats waterproof and rock hard. Other people have used cement and grout to cover up the great stuff. You can also use silicone and peat moss, though most people have found it starts to flake off after a while that route.

 

[hdavidf309]

Yeah...wasn't sure how many people knew about this idea, but sounds like its "covered". I have used great stuff by itself, with wood glue and eco-earth, with wood glue and peat moss, ect... I perfer wood glue and eco earth. Tip back, let dry, and your done....and it looks great when you decorate it with plants and vines!

 

[Starpphire Enigma]

wood glue and peat moss? how do you combine the two to make it hard and water tight? ive had this issue because i tried makeing a nontoxic clay, and it just warps and cracks over the styrophome and then falls off! makes me mad ( but looks great still)! anyway, looking for a more permanent solution to cover these mistakes up? i cant use eco earth because my husband is allergic to coconut-sigh

id love some sample pics too!

 

[idontknow]

The key is tightbond wood glue 3 its a tan and green label. Its waterproof however you cant leave it submerged in water for extended periods of time. You have to wet the peat moss downto the point where you can just barely squeeze water out of it. Once you have done that place it all in a disposable bowl and pour enough glue to cover half the top and then just start mixing by hand. You want to break up the chunks of peat moss to make sure the glue is covering everything. If you need to you can add a little extra glue. You want it to be the consistancy of slightly runny oatmeal.

Its a little hard to work with at first. You want to make sure you do thin layers and wait till its completely dry before adding a 2nd layer. It comes out kinda rough when your done so you may wanna take some sand paper to it.

Heres my 125 gallon im just finishing up with the peatmoss mix.

 

[hdavidf309]

I see what you are saying. You kind of need to mix the glue with the substrate or plants/ect and put it on all at once and it should cling and be water tight no problem. I really don't know why it is cracking so badly. As far as Eco-earth....that sucks that you cannot have it, but there are many other similar substrates you can use in this way that are not coco-fiber product! heres a sample of my background in my newest exo-terra BEFORE it was finished (just the great stuff):

 

[idontknow]

It might be cracking because of shrinkage when drying. The tightbond peat moss mox can do the same thing...thats why you do a couple coats.

 

[hdavidf309]

I suppose i have never had that problem in the past, but it DOES make alot of sense....just make sure you coat it well, like "idontknow" said. Thank you for your words, by the way "idon'tknow"...and nice to meet ya!

 

[Ozymandias]

the tight bond does crack if you don't have the right mixture of glue to substrate but when it does cracks it's not as noticeable and you just have to patch up over it which is an easy thing. also just use peat moss it really doesn't matter what substrate you use hell I've use ground up leaf littler, sand and peat moss in one back ground.


also "idontknow" you can do only one coat of it but much thicker but you have to have a really good mixture of glue to substrate, at least that what I've found.

also here are a couple back ground I've built with this method.

10 gallon

20 high convert

40 br convert

the 40 breeder was the first background i ever did with this method so there are alot of crack in it but most aren't noticeable. also something i have found key with the wood glue and substrate mix is ruffing up the great stuff so the glue can adhere better

 

[idontknow]

Nice vivs ozy and good tip on roughing up the great stuff forgot to mention that.

 

[Starpphire Enigma]

It might be cracking because of shrinkage when drying. The tightbond peat moss mox can do the same thing...thats why you do a couple coats.

ah, well, i did about 5 layers then sand and 2-3 coat shelaq.
anyway, i know why its cracking, i think? all the same, here is a realy aweful quick photo of my 20 gal long tank- you can see it still needs work, some of the cracks are suposed to be there, the peekys along the botom for example- however the large sectional crack that is gapeing on the hill on the right side is one of many that is driveing me crazy!