Gecko safe sealant???

[Brand0n]

Hey everybody! ive been a lurker on here for many months but finally decided to post a couple things! first is my current terrarium and how i built it and second is a question.
i have heard of people using foam (not GS) bricks (styro and another kind?) to make backgrounds for their geckos, i was wondering what you can use other than cement or habbacrate to make it gecko safe and color it, do you paint it then use acrillic or some sort of non-shiny epoxy? thanks in advanced!

[JoeG]

There are lots of alternatives and opinions on the best methods. I have done the GS, silicone and coco fiber. Since then, I have found better alternatives for me.

I use rigid florist foam, styrofoam and GS depending on the need.

In my last 3 builds I have been using gorilla glue and coco or peat or what-ever for any "dirt" sections. I find this to be a stronger bond and the open time of the glue lets me do some detail work with a brush that other glues cant do. Generally i am just using silicone to glue up things to glass since it does that very well.

For rocks, I use UGL Drylok Latex Base Masonry Waterproofer and concrete tints for color. This adds texture similar to the grout method but without all the hassle around cracking and curing I read about. I can even add more sand if I want a greater texture. Mind you, I am not knocking the grout method, this just worked better for me so far.

[Brand0n]

so when you use rigid florists foam, what do you seal it with?

[JoeG]

Originally Posted by Brand0n

so when you use rigid florists foam, what do you seal it with?

I coat it with drylok. I use that type of foam to make rocks, so I start with a dark grey base coat or 2 for good coverage then dry brush the rest of the colors on till I get that rock look I want.

Heavy coats will fill in the pores of the foam, but light coats will leave a few open and give it a porous look.

But if I were maybe doing a desert rock, I might use the pink insulation foam because it lends itself to easy sanding and blending. In the end, its about picking the best medium for the look you want. Like doing a painting in watercolors vs oils...big difference in look...but its still a painting.

What kind of rocks were you thinking about trying to replicate?

[Brand0n]

well i was thinking of using it to make a background with a few mushroom shelves built in [out of foam (i see lots of glue haha)] or maybe just a good textued background, no true plans yet but its going to be for my crestie and MAYBE have water flowing on it (not for crestie maybe for another project though)

[Smnthkmyr36]

Can you put Dryloc on top of grout? What do you use to color the dryloc? You mentioned that you "dry brush" this... do you use just acrylic paint to do this?

Thanks in advance!