egg crate for custom background

darksolace66 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 10:10 AM

Between this site and BJ I have learned a lot and am about to start my first 58g tall viv. I'm building a custom background with malaysian drift wood and i had a question. Some people used egg crate to build their custom BG, where black jungle just puts the wood down and GS's around it. Is there a preference here? do you guys think the egg crate would hold the driftwood or should i GS it straight to the glass? I dont think i'll ever be using the tank for anything else, so GS to the glass isnt an issue. Also, should i black silicone the back wall first so you cant see the GS or does it not matter cuz its in the back? I'm trying to do this right the first time lol the tank was expensive! Thanks for the feedback!

Jamie

Grimm · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 10:22 AM

Egg Crate is usually used when building a false bottom (basically raising the substrate off the bottom) And GS is almost always used for the background. Sometimes egg crate is place down on the sides and back but I really dont see the point since GS will do the same job...

As for putting the silicone into the back..I dont think it is 100% necessary but I tend to put a thin layer on, and then when it starts to skin over I rough it up a bit to allow the GS to stick to it easier. But make sure to put a thick coat of silicone on the visible sides where you wish to have GS stuck to or it will look terrible.

Epiphile · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 10:26 AM

I can't think of a reason why you'd use eggcrate behind a background save to be able to build it outside the tank and drop it in after (which is not a bad idea).

Either way, the GS should hold the wood once it's fully cured. I've found it a bit of a pain to try and balance the wood the way I want it while I'm spraying the GS, but once it cures it's fine.

I think that there are better ways to conceal the foam than silicone- I think the idea is that it provides a bit of a surface for the foam to better adhere to, though it does do a good job of concealing the foam if it's applied the way it is on the Black Jungle build. There are lots of ways to conceal the foam including black paint, contact paper, etc. If you're not going to see it you may not need to bother.

Grimm · #4 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 10:34 AM

Hey Epiphile...Next time you are having trouble balancing your driftwood...Try making a few blobs of GS on some plastic bags, let them cure, and once they are dry you can use them to prop up the wood and not be worried about spraying over them!

Epiphile · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Hey Epiphile...Next time you are having trouble balancing your driftwood...Try making a few blobs of GS on some plastic bags, let them cure, and once they are dry you can use them to prop up the wood and not be worried about spraying over them!

Great idea- thanks.

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 03:08 PM

The idea that the silicone provides better adhesion than the glass is really up for debate. However, using eggcrate behind the GS DOES provide better adhesion and lessens the chance of the GS peeling from the glass. This is especially useful when you are using alot of heavy wood. The reason it helps is because it gives the GS near the glass a rigid base. The GS expands through the eggcrate and the eggcrate ensures a stiffer, more stable structure. The tighter you are able to fit the piece of eggcrate, the better.

Is it something you have to do? No, and in some cases it is a waste of money (as is coating the glass in silicone, IMO).

Paint (I like the matte Krylon Fusion, the nozzle on those paints are PERFECT for painting the glass) is a MUCH better way to hide the inner workings of the tank. You can mask off the outside where you want to be able to see through, then paint, let dry, and scrape away the harsh angles to make it look neater. I did this with my recent build for my bahama anoles. I left the part under the waterfall open for viewing so I can look at them when they hide. They make use of it, and I get to look at them.

beckdg · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 08:55 PM

good discussion... many good points.

i will add that the true benefit of the silicone imo is that when you paint the outside of the tank the paint can be scratched overtime needing a redo. if you paint the inside you may not get the coverage exactly how you want it. too much, not enough, etc.. so the benefit to the silicon would be that you could really overdo your coverage, install your b/g and trim it where necessary and don't have to worry about it once it's done.

as for special adhesion between glass/silicone/great stuff... i'd have to see it proven myself... even if it's scuffed or half cured.

don't get me wrong though.... i like window tint myself... which is unusual.

FwoGiZ · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2010, 11:13 PM

I too was thinking that siliconing glass side of my tanks was a waste of time and money (2-3-4 cans 5$ea... ouch) ... I might try with a spray paint can like this too then

To answer the OP, I too think eggcrates on background isn't needed UNLESS you have many heavy pieces or wood/rocks...
it is like metal rods in concrete when you build a house, it is to strenghten every thing up, you don't need that for smaller build

beckdg · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 04:20 AM

1-2 tubes of silicone should be more than enough to do the sides/back of most tanks if you use a credit card to spread it thin. i hardly think $20 is a lot of money considering what a viv could cost if one were to use all the best products or have to buy everything.

since one tube should only run about $6 i really don't see the issue. heck, i spent more than what an aquarium stand would cost to build my own. it's the only piece of furniture i've ever seen i don't think i could destroy with my bare hands.

no cover makes glass look smoother than glass...

silicone is just so easy to trim and peel off of glass once it's dry... no flaking!

darksolace66 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2010, 09:29 AM

that was a concern of mine too Froggsong that the drift wood would be very heavy and might crack the GS over time, especially with a high humidity like there will be since this is a RETF tank. I do have enough eggcrate i believe to do a false bottom and background. I no im going to silicone the sides but i dont think i'll do it to the back. I was more concerned about the heaviness of the wood. its a fairly large tank (58g) and its only 5 small pieces of Malaysian but it might be enough to weigh it down. I also dont want to lose any depth in the tank if i dont have to, considering i will lose more to plants and layering of the land portion of the tank. I think I'm gonna use the eggcrate for the background as well, just to be safe. Thanks for all the great responses!