GS Foam Questions (Please HELP!!!)

[NatureLady]

I have read lots of build logs on using the GS Foam to start with. SO here are my questions...

Everyone seals it in silicone....why? It says it is water tight after curing and from some other blogs I have read that it is non-toxic to fish (in pond application) after curing.

Do you seal it only if you are carving it and breaking the cured outer film?

Do you seal it because of it breaking down with the use of heat and uv bulbs?

Is the pond and stone GS Foam any good? I like the black color idea and would like to stay away from covering my foam with coco fiber IF I can.

I have never used the product (I have around my home) in a build and it honestly frightens me to get started with my project....so research, research, research and my mind is swimming.

[J Teezy]

Are you going to paint it? Just the foam alone would seem pretty boring looking to me? Haven't really heard of anyone using GS and not either painting it or covering it with silicone + cocofiber or peat combination. Covering it in cocofiber not only makes it look better but gives you a place to attach plants to

[NatureLady]

But other than to place coco fiber why would one seal all of the foam?

[J Teezy]

keep crickets from eating it? I don't know, i've just never really heard of anyone not doing something to the foam as it would look pretty plain imo

[NatureLady]

Do know what kind of paint would be used to paint it?

[J Teezy]

non toxic acrylic, but you'll need to seal that too

[AReaHerps]

What's the best thing to use for sealing it?

[J Teezy]

Shields All is a non toxic sealer or you could use silicone, pond sealer, etc. Something non toxic

[AReaHerps]

Shields All? Yet another google search! Thanks.