Blue/Pink foam board

EARRNHARDT3 · #1 09-19-2009, 11:05 AM

Can you use the blue / pink foam board that Lowe's sells for building of backgrounds. I have an idea on how to make rock type cliffs layers.

I wondered if it is toxic and how it would up.

E3

Nighsliv · #2 09-19-2009, 11:14 AM

As far as I have seen it seems to be no problems, there is even a great instructional video talking about this in the post here.

That video talks about aquarium backgrounds and most fish are more sensetive then reptiles to contaminations anyway (In my experience).

froggsong · #3 09-19-2009, 01:27 PM

I SERIOUSLY need to work on a FAQ's section. I don't mean to seem rude, but this topic has been discussed so much it is completely unnecessary to ask this question. Please don't think I am trying to be mean to you, or that I don't want to help you, but when the forum fills up with questions that have been answered over and over again... Well, we've been talking about this is an Off-Topic thread.

I can't stress enough how important it is for everyone (the folks who have been doing this for a long time included) to do at least some simple, basic research before they ask questions. If the question has already been answered, unless you need elaboration, there is no need to ask it again.

FOr future reference, the foam you are asking about is called "polystyrene", "foam insulation", "pink foam", "foam board", "blue foam", or even just "foam". Typing in those terms into the site's search engine should yield lots of results.

Again, I am not trying to be mean, I'm not trying to scold you specifically, but when the forum fills with questions that been answered tons of time, it takes time away from more serious posts (like folks who need advice about a problem with an animal, a problem they are having with a build that they can't figure out alone, etc).

Research, research, research!!!

beckdg · #4 09-19-2009, 02:44 PM

or you can start at the beginning... i referred to that thread in another thread in which if you read from here: Back ground grout question !! and click on the links as you go you should get a much better understanding. one thing i will say is that if you plan on getting it wet and are unsure of how to work with concrete do not attempt regular mortar. i personally know it will be ok with water for a long time. the thing is it needs reinforcement and or a pretty thick coating to hold up to water for any length of time. that makes your details wash out or your viv pretty heavy by the time it's sufficient to deal with constant submersion. if you were to do a large closet or a small room then for the price it would more than be worth figuring it out. otherwise it might be a problem for someone not familiar with it.

xsputnikx · #5 09-25-2009, 03:43 AM

yes you can use the pink or blue foam board.. go with the pink foam board from home depot... ive used both and each foam has a plastic sheeting on it that you have to peel off to get good ahedsion or sanding of the foam.. on the pink foam from home depot it peels right off... the blue foam well thats a different story you will be there for 20 minutes on one sheet..

beckdg · #6 10-30-2009, 02:47 AM

i used the 2" x 24" pink v-notch tongue and groove panels from home depot. they didn't have a coating that could peel. i did find it necessary to drag a cerrated knife sideways across the surface quickly to scuff it up pretty good though.

beckdg · #7 05-11-2011, 10:55 AM

i don't read russian, but i was able to translate for you. unfortunately i don't have a nikon coolpix to help you out. maybe someone else will come along and comment, maybe not. good luck.

MartinM · #8 05-11-2011, 02:48 PM

Sheet Styrofoam is fine to use for backgrounds, and you don't even have to buy it. I saved old packing material for a while and had plenty to use for a complex background. I wanted to represent the deep shale gorges that we have here in central New York, and I used Styrofoam sheets of varying thickness to represent rock layers. Here are some pictures from when I was done with the build but had only just started planting:

Here are some closer views:

For a detailed (perhaps excessively detailed) thread of the build, see this link:
Major paludarium re-build - Dart Frog Forum on Husbandry and Habitat Information