Another first build

[kakemono]

Three days ago, I went on eBay searching for something unrelated, somehow started looking at tropical trees, then plants, then terrariums.

I decided I wanted to make one. Went out and bought a secondhand 10g tank so I could learn.


I have molded some Great Stuff and learned a lot. The most important thing I have learned (from experience, not the 15 hours I spent on the forums the last 2 days) is to use some type of material cover for the hole you will use to retrieve your pump. I just made a HUUUGE mound of foam and tried hollowing it out. It expanded under my false bottom and the stuff is like sandpaper when you are shoving your arm down a hole trying to cut it.

Now for my question. I have bought Coconut Fiber Substrate to silicon onto the foam. Do I really have to "paint" the silicon on the all the foam then just dump the coconut fibers on it, let it sit... then turn it up? Surely there is a more efficient way.

Here is a picture of the foam molding. It is a ton of foam.

[kakemono]

One more question... my false bottom is about 1.5 inches deep. I know a lot on here talk about their huge false bottom, but considering my tank is only 10g, should this suffice?

[sinflspeed]

You got it. "Paint" on the silicone and then dump your coco fiber ontop. Remember the coco has to be completely dry. You can also pat down the coco into places where it might not fall into. Let it sit a 24-36 hrs and remove. There really isn't any easy way. I do not use false bottoms so I can not give an educated opnion on it.

[froggsong]

If it is only a drainage layer, the height for your FB should be fine, it's about the same height I used when I put one in my frog tank when I replanted it. If it will be entirely covered with the substrate, I would recommend that you install a piece of tubing that you can pull up from the bottom and attach a long piece to so you can syphon some water out easily from time to time. I also did that in my frog tank, it makes syphoning out extra water a piece of cake (since it is a smaller area, it will fill faster).

When you start with the silicone, do it in small areas, it skins pretty fast, and if it is skinned even a little, it will not stick properly. The way I do it is to put down a layer of silicone, then put some coco fiber on it and press it in really good, then dump off the excess and do the next portion. When I have covered the whole thing, I let it sit until the silicone cures, then use my shop vac to vacuum off what ever is left that didn't stick. I don't put the hose right onto it, I keep it at least an inch away, so I don't start pulling off what IS stuck. It has worked very well for me. Definitely wear gloves when you apply the silicone. I get better results smoothing it on by hand, and I get SOOOOOO messy, lol. You don't need a super thick layer of silicone, but be careful not to make it too thin, or the coco fiber wont stick as well.

I hope that helps!

[Fisherman 1991]

Looks good so far. From my practice tank and a hide for my BP that I made, I learned that if youdo the cilicone too thin, it WILL show through because the coco fiber won't stick good. There are no lights on my BP tank, so The silicone doesn't shine, but it will in a viv with lots of lighting, and it probably won't look too good.

[Rainfrog]

Another method is to use gorilla glue. Gorilla Glue can be easier to work with and cures with water so you dont have to worry about the coco being super dry. just follow the instructions on the bottle for the glue.

[sinflspeed]

Definitely use gloves for gorrilla glue. I used it without them and the coco stuck to my hands for days. Looked like I busted through the toilet paper. Wife laughed so hard when I told/showed her. You live and learn.

[froggsong]

Originally Posted by sinflspeed

Definitely use gloves for gorrilla glue. I used it without them and the coco stuck to my hands for days. Looked like I busted through the toilet paper. Wife laughed so hard when I told/showed her. You live and learn.

ROFLMAOTICS...