About to dive in deep with my first ever Viv!!

[yekram10]

Hi there i plan on this weekend being a time where i can finally start my first dart frog viv!!.... it is a 18x18x24 medium size glass Exo-terra! I am really inspired by all the great looking vivs out there! i would like to use GS and make a water feature! However im wondering if since this is my first i , if i should spray the GS on the glass or use a thin layer of styro foam board? Also if anybody has any ideas on a dart frog viv that would work good in this tank i would love to know!

Thanks

[ToadPaparazzi]

For the water feature, I would suggest using the styrofoam build. For the rest of the background, you can spray the foam directly on the glass... For added stability, some builders will apply a thin layer of silicone to the back (I don't think this is necessary). I do however recommend applying a coat of silicone to the sides that will be exposed to the foam; this will make it look more presentable. You can trim away the excess silicone after the background is finished with a razor blade.

[John]

I don't know of people applying great stuff to styrofoam. Without checking my chemical reactions, I would guess that would be a bad idea - I think the polyurethane foam would melt/react with the styrofoam. If you want to use styrofoam, have a look at the builds that use Quik Crete. As for putting silicone on the glass before spray Great Stuff, I always do this because I've heard too many horror stories of the great stuff peeling off over time.

[Ren]

I put the great stuff onto the egg crate light diffusser stuff cut to fit the tank.. then i can take it in and out if ever need be.