Going Crazy With the Great Stuff

ReverendDirt · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 02:06 AM

I'm not exactly a beginner., I have made vivs before, or they're prolly Palaudariums, but I usually just pile a bunch of gravel up on one size, stick some cypress driftwood in there and rig up a water feature. I recently aquired a 30 gallon tall and after some consideration decided to try what I've seen on this board. So, after buying some great stuff(is one can gonna be enough?), a tube of GE II black silicone(it says it has bio-seal mold and mildew protection, is this ok?), a fountain pump, some organic potting soil, some nice round stones and some cypress bedding that I figured Id either mix with the soil and/or stick on the great stuff as a background. I already have some driftwood, I also have a 29 gallon tank that is set up as described in the beginning and I am considering cannablizing it....maybe. Now to the heart of my query...Do I just go crazy with the great stuff? Can it be malipulated after you spray it or is it best to wait untill it dries and then carve it up? I have a ton of questions, its a little overwhelming. My plan is to plant some moss that I harvested from a job site(Im a landscaper...free plants!) and some other plants...maybe one day get a frog or a newt or something in there? I dont know, Ive ranted long enough....Suggestions Please.
The Reverend Dirt

Green Ghost · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 10:19 AM

I can't believe how quiet it is on here. No one replies to the posts.... Anyways sounds like a nice project. According to what I know Silicone with the mold and mildew protection contain some chemicals that are harmful to your animals (even after it's cured). To be honest, I think there's been some debate about that on here, though. Me? I wouldn't use it, because you don't need it (I mean the mold and mildew resistantance in the Silicone). If the silicone is black anyways and it's just used for esthetics underneath the great stuff, then there's actually no need for it. Other than that it's covered with the coco bedding. So can mold form underneath the coco bedding? People with vivs that have been set up for awhile would have to come forward and talk about that.... ? I have some tanks that are quite old and have never seen mold on silicone seams like you see on baths.

The great stuff just oozes all over and doesn't keep it's form when it's wet. It sticks to whatever it touches when it's wet so wait till it's dry then carve it up. I hope other people join in here and give more hints.

ReverendDirt · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 10:27 AM

Thanx for the input, Bro. I have seen a lot of the posts on here and they're mostly the same system...GS foam, black GE II Silicone, etc. I am going to buy some eggcrate today and create a false bottom. I'll post some pics, once I get going.

Green Ghost · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 08:19 PM

Sounds like a plan. Pics are your friend, bud

Rainfrog · #5 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 06:03 AM

Soory im not around more often. I got promoted at work and am very busy. GE silicone II is safe once it cures. it is widely used and many of us have contacted GE and asked them about the product, its safe once it cures no leaching chemicals. there is some data that is suggesting Great stuff pulls away from the glass after some time if there is no silicone attached to the glass as a bonding agent. glass is just not porous enough to hold GS for long term with the added weight and moisture. with GS i would wait till it cures and carve it. if you can get Handi Foam you can mold it after about 5min. it is harder to find though and is about $10 a tube.

Green Ghost · #6 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 07:55 PM

Didn't mean you in particular, when I was talking about it being quiet in here, Rainfrog. I just meant in general it's been quiet

I kinda felt like I was the only one answering posts.

Yeah so it's good to hear from someone who's actually tried/used GE Sil. II.

Rainfrog · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Ghost

Didn't mean you in particular, when I was talking about it being quiet in here, Rainfrog. I just meant in general it's been quiet

I kinda felt like I was the only one answering posts.

Yeah so it's good to hear from someone who's actually tried/used GE Sil. II.

I know. I just wanted to give my excuse for not being around I try to get the time. It is a busy time, being the beginning of the year. I hope no one feel neglected. I know most of us have many irons in the fire. I plan on being around the forum more often than I have been

ReverendDirt · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 09:36 AM

Thanx for the input, ya'll. I haven't really started working on the tank as I have been promoted and have no time as well. I need to gather a few more supplies and focus my vision before I begin. I need to get it all done before the springtime starts because I will have even less time. I'll post some pics soon

icytea_thunder · #9 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 12:10 PM

If you have silicon down on the glass prior to the foam like I had, you may run into an issue if you just overload with Great Stuff right away. When you glob it up so much th outside dries faster(makes sense) leaving the inside still wet and curing. When the inside is still expanding but the outer shell is hard, you may get some peeling. The outer shell stuck to the silicon will pull away, taking the silicon with it. Ill try and get a picture up of what I'm talking about. I guess my advice is, just do it in steps, it will make life easier in the end.

Rainfrog · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 07:35 AM

Good advice Thunder. I made the same mistake the first time I used GS Foam. and it can be a headache!