A quick first step question

tcdotcom · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 08:52 PM

I have got a 45 gallon aquarium and am going to turn it into a vertical terrarium. I am going to use the expandable foam for the back wall. I have seen some pictures of people using silicone in behind the foam to hide it from the outside.

[url="http://www.blackjungle.com/gallery/talltank/image6.html"]URL]

Does anyone forsee any problems with this silicone peeling off under the weight of the contents hanging on the wall?

Any info is good info. Thanks! Tc

MRIGUY · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 07:45 AM

I have never had an issue with the silicone comming away from the wall. If you are concerned or if you are going to be incorporating a lot if weight ( heavy wood, rocks ) you can always add a few vertical PVC pipes (1/4 to 1/2") for stability. They will help kep the back wall together as one unit.

Epicure · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 11:53 PM

you gonna paint it, and if ya do, what paint, i just made a volcano type pond in my 10 gallon hex, and was wondering, what i should do next. Or silicone the whole thing, or just leave it, i used great stuff, and will it be hazardus if i leave her yellow, pack some dirt and rocks around it. overtime does it breakdown to.

Rainfrog · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 05:33 AM

most of the time people use silicone to attach coco fiber or peat to the foam

schlegelbagel · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 10:54 PM

yes, silicone II will attach coco-husk very well. I have not had a weight issue at all.

Crash · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 10:42 PM

I have a 40 gal glass tank (for 3 Dart Frogs) that had a leak in the bottom and I emptied the tank and completely cleaned and removed most of the original silicone along the front. I resealed the bottom with GE Silicone II with "BioSeal" (mildew inhibitor) and then I found in the small print "do not use for aquariums"! Should I re-do the seal using aquarium grade silicone with no additives or let it go? I don't want to kill my FROGS

I haven't been able to find any large caulking tubes of "additive free" silicone and I was planning on re-doing the tank with an expanding Foam & coco bedding back wall, I wanted to use the black silicone II.
Any suggestion?

Crash · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 12:50 AM

I'm so glad

that I don't need to re-do the silicone seal that I just did last night and now I can continue with the new backwall, I'll post some pic of my progress and final outcome.

Thanks "Beingtrei"

Rainfrog · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 05:24 AM

Ya GE Silicone II will be fine as far as toxicity. it says no aquarium because the weight of the water in a full aquarium can push it out of the seal.