paludarium build log - Page 2

xashc200 · #11 11-17-2010, 01:58 PM

been shopping in Bauhaus today for some more goods.

root mat for the plant beds
4 pieces of malaysian bogwood (only 2.50 euros each)
plant pots to embed in the expanding foam
2 cocofibre bricks by exo terra
pvc pipe for the waterfall uptake

so im almost ready for the expanding foam. just need to collect a few more pieces of bogwood and source the foam im going to use.

I am aware that all the expanding foam at the DIY stores are toxic (with the exception of greatstuff which is not in Europe). so does anyone know if i can use any expanding foam provided that it is fully sealed with silicone afterwards?

xashc200 · #12 11-18-2010, 08:19 AM

not too much to show right now. just stuck the weed mat material to the egg crate. used silicone for this and it seems to have worked fine.

also put water in the tank to make sure its all water tight and are no defects before i start to glue bits in place. all seems ok so far

now im just waiting until iv brought a pump and the tubing which will fit it, then i can start with the expanding foam.

xashc200 · #13 11-20-2010, 03:38 PM

ok, so the expanding foam is done. it worked out pretty well i think considering it was my first experience with the stuff.

i started from the bottom and worked my way up. the bogwood was mounted in the foam as i went along. i also bought a nice piece of knotted root wood. not really sure where it came from but it looks great. hopefully i can attatch some little orchids to the branched roots.

i had to use wire to hold the pots in place before i foamed them in. only had room for 2 pots with all the wood. but its ok because there is plenty of room for planting on the terraces.

hope you enjoy the pics :-)

lillyviv · #14 11-20-2010, 06:05 PM

It looks like it will be a great viv, I'm really looking forward to see how it turns out!

xashc200 · #15 11-21-2010, 12:30 AM

thanks lilyviv. i sure hope so.. im so impatient, i have to wait now for the black silicone to come in the post :-|

Xeophex · #16 11-21-2010, 12:18 PM

Looking really good! You make the expandable foaming look easier than I thought. I hope it is. You planning on sanding/carving it a bit before you silicon it, to break up that "intestine" look a bit? Good job.

xashc200 · #17 11-21-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeophex

Looking really good! You make the expandable foaming look easier than I thought. I hope it is. You planning on sanding/carving it a bit before you silicon it, to break up that "intestine" look a bit? Good job.

thanks. the expanding foam is very easy to work with. i cant say if its the same for every brand but the rate at which it came out the can was predictable too. easy to apply, although, just to be aware that it continues to expand, a lot!

not sure about carving, i quite like the intestinal look. could say that it is chunky roots or something wrapped around everything. when its planted i want it to be so dense that you wont see much underneeth anyway

xashc200 · #18 12-12-2010, 12:18 PM

so i have my black silicone now, and i am eager to apply the substrate to the background.

for this i have exo-terra cocofibre substrate. does anyone know if it is good to use this as a substrate to pat onto the silicone, or does it need to be mixed with any other substrate, mosses, compost etc. ? ?

Grimm · #19 12-12-2010, 12:20 PM

Whatever you use for pressing into the silicone, ensure it is bone dry! I would bake the substrate until there is absolutely no moisture. If there is, is will not stick and you will have to redo it.

xashc200 · #20 12-15-2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Whatever you use for pressing into the silicone, ensure it is bone dry! I would bake the substrate until there is absolutely no moisture. If there is, is will not stick and you will have to redo it.

thanks for the tip. I just need to wait for it to stop snowing now and i can get this project rolling again..