D3monics first build. Exo 18x18x24

[beckdg]

spread the silicone further out past where you'll need it... you can always trim it off later...

[D3monic]

I am painting the sides and back black. All Glass that is currently visible (except the front havnt covered it yet) Will be painted black.

[Maverick]

Originally Posted by D3monic

Do you guys normally carve or sand your backgrounds once its dry to get your final shape or are you just that good with this stuff? I find it hard to work with since the flow out of the can is extremely inconsistent. One moment its blowing out at 100 miles an hour and then its coming out in a trickle.

Originally Posted by beckdg

nobody's "that good with it" really. as for carving and what not some people just think it looks better one way or the other. i guess you could say the inconsistency adds to a more organic random look/feel once your done.

I hate to put this out there since so many people refuse to recognize or acknowledge graffiti as an art, but it's really quite true. The art comes in the way you must overcome risks, non-accessible areas, and the act of something called can control.
Can control comes over time, but if you learn to ease up on the cap (in the foam case straw) and keep your wrist straight.. there are many tricks you can learn. Basically what i'm getting at is if you exert less force on the nossle(straw), your surface (foam) will have less contact in the can releasing a steady flow.. reguardless of density. Also, I'm not 100% sure if this will work, but it's another trick for painting.. If you have to much pressure in the can (getting a bunch of air bubbles/spurts/inconsistent flow) try holding the can upside down and release some of the propellant in the aerosol can!
SLOW DOWN, GO EASY, [i]and keep it flowy.[/I]

[froggsong]

Yeah, you definitely don't want to release any of the propellant in the can if GS. If you do, you won't likely get to use the whole can. I had a can recently that i used over the course of a week and a half or so, and by the last time I used it, I couldn't get the last quarter or so of it out of the can.

Controlling the flow of the the GS comes with practice. You have to learn how hard to pull the trigger to do what you need to do, and whether to touch the straw to the surface you're spraying or hold it above to get different types of coverage. Above all, remember that for our applications, you need thin layers, and don't forget that subsequent layers will expand more than the first.

[D3monic]

Thanks for the tips, I found that if I held the can upside down it was more consistant. I picked up 2 more cans to finish it up. One of the cans the tip was broken. It snaped off without even a hiss. I got as far as I could with one can. Just alittle touch up to do now.

[beckdg]

Maverick:
i can handle it, thank you. my "can control" is quite fine. been spraying things professionally half my life. i understand what you're saying but bad cans, caps, nozzles... do happen. i think it'll look fine without going over and over anyway. jmo

[Maverick]

Yeah, sorry if you took that as disrespect beck!
Was just trying to point out that you really do not need to push as hard as you would think.. as frog said it takes practice. People just think that you have to press down as far as you can!

[froggsong]

D3monic, the can that snapped off, take it back to the store and tell them it was broken when you opened it. They'll swap it, generally no questions asked.

[beckdg]

nope... it's cool.

[D3monic]

Ok heres the moss substrate that I mentioned in the other thread. No manufacturer name or anything.



I am pretty much done with the GS.

I have numbered where the planter pots are located. By numbered location what do you guys suggest planting in there? Substrate level will be just at the bottom of the stump.



For 2 and 3 I was thinking a brom species. (then again I wouldnt need pots for those)

Toward the bottom i would definatly like to have a small species of fern or two.

I will make a moss paste and cover the stumps in it so they get fast coverage to keep the grape wood from molding.

I am thinking anything under the pots should be lower lights species unless they are planted out in the open toward the front but I would like to leave some decent open space up there. Still debating on cutting the egg crate toward the front and droping it down for a small puddle. Does water have to be moving for PDF or will a still puddle be ok? I will drill a drain line so I can do water changes on it. Also. I have looked around and can not seem to find a decent answer. For dart frogs what would be a good substrate mix In order from bottom to top?