Background

Futurehabitatcreator · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 07:42 PM

I'm not sure if this is in the right section or not but...

Changed my mind about the subject of this thread...just a little....

Okay heres my question now.

Can you GS on a background when the tank is sitting normally?

I mean if you don't flip it so the side is on the bottom.

Just so it's where it normally would be, the sides are where the sides are suppost to be n stuff.

postal · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 09:51 PM

Exo terra sells tanks with a background included. I dont care for these- they look too fake to me.

There are also fake tree trunk backgrounds at petco/petsmart - probably exo terra as well. They look better than the full exo terra background.

Cork bark if you can find it, looks great for a background. Just silicone it in place. I think this is the best option, but is a little pricey too.

Futurehabitatcreator · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 10:12 PM

Hm...

I'm probaly just going to do a full on gs background.

A few questions on that if you don't mind..

For a gs background should I spray a thin layer of gs then wait for 24 hours. Once I've waited spread silicone on and stick some dirt to it?

postal · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 10:53 PM

Man... I need a digi cam to show you my new tank still under construction.....

I GS'd it and covered in fine coco husk It's a corner tank, so I have 2 sides to spray.

1 side was a big can of gs triple expanding. I did the entire side at once since I punctured the can with a nail (nozzle didnt work) -I'm not recommending that btw.... but its what I did.... I covered it pretty thick- thicker than people recommend- but I didnt have a choice... couldnt stop the spray.

Other side was 2 cans of touch n foam landscape/pond. I like the GS better. I got way more coverage and depth. I was able to spray the foam in with "branches" of foam higher than the rest of the background. Some areas were thick enough, that after fully curing, I took a knife to it and cut the branches away from the rest of the background. Giving more depth to a backgroujnd really helps make it look more real. These foam "branches" really help with that.

The point is, you should put foam on in relatively thin layers, and let it cure- but you can go back over it in places to build it up thicker. let cure again, and spray some more....

I did one side in one day THICK- and another minor touch up-
the other side took 3 days. The first side with the GS can is much thicker too- and I think looks better...

Dont plan to just spray foam once and call it good. It will take at LEAST 1 touch up as well, but you can keep going at it to build up features like I did.

I covered mine with coco husk. I got the chunky kind from exo terra. I sifted it through a strainer, and got the small fibers out, and plucked some longer fibers out... and separated the large chunks.

I siliconed the background and used the short fibers for most of the background, and the long fibers for my "branches"- the different textures bring out the branches even more. I dont think people use dirt- usually coco fiber or peat or sand. Dirt probably will not stick well.

It boils down to the fact that there are some hardfast rules for success, as long as you follow the specific procedures... (foam is cured- your sand/coco/peat whatever is COMPLETELY dry before gluing, etc) follow those set procedures, but the rest is all creativity- do what you want- make it look however YOU want. However many layers of foam that takes.... Just let the foam fully cure before you silicone.

Futurehabitatcreator · #5 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 11:03 PM

okay thanks.

I wasn't sure about the gs so I had already moved my GTF in a 40 gal.

I have a small 5 gallon that I might put him in for 24 hours while I let GS cure.

I'll give you updates on what I decide to do.

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 12:39 AM

24 for the GS, and then at LEAST 24 for the silicone.

Tiamat · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 12:44 AM

Here is 2 exemples of what a single plain coating of GS could give you.
Sadly, i don't consider this very nice and was made only for one reason: it is very strong and hard, so i can keep a snake in it knowing it won't get destroyed.
On this forum, you can see far more advanced projects. Even just getting some bark or wood branch With the GS gives another, better level of decoration. Water feature being the top.
My opinion: don't satisfy yourself with less. If you need to do it, do it well, do it nice.

Futurehabitatcreator · #8 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 12:50 AM

Not bad...

I have another question.

Can I GS the tank while its right side up?

Meaning not flip it over to GS.

Just leave it how it's suppost to be to GS?

Tiamat · #9 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 01:01 AM

GS doesn't stick on glass. you will have to make sure your tank is placed so that the GS can be applied horizontaly.

But then again we restart the whole discution we already had with you: if you place GS directly on the glass, you will have a very ugly aquarium's back and sides. Hope you place the aquarium in a way that nobody will see it.

Futurehabitatcreator · #10 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 01:07 AM

So basically..I would have to flip it on its side to have Any hope of having a gs background? Sadly I already put the substrate in so I'd have to take it all out I guess.