"Great Stuff" and live plants

[asdfgh]

Well everybody seems to be using it, so I figured it must be good. The problem is, I live in the UK and as of yet, have been unable to track it down. Which is why I was wondering if anyone knows of other foam and silicone products that will be safe for me to use for a pair of White's.

Also, is there any evergreen Bromeliads I can use?

Thanks.

[DonLisk]

Great Stuff is actually waterfall foam or foaming crack filler and designed for outside use.
As for silicone, it just needs to be labeled 100 percent silicone and not have added mildew preventive in it.
Some 100 percent silicone products have a lingering smell that takes time to disappear and some the smell clears up faster. IS: GE's version 1 lingers and GE's version II disappears in no time at all.

I don't know what an evergreen bromeliad is but depending on the size of your tank, any bromeliad can be used as long as it fits and has been rinsed of all fertilizers and pesticides.

[asdfgh]

Oh well that clears things up. Thanks.

By "evergreen" I mean the plant stays green all year round -- it does not die in winter, or lose all foliage in winter and then grow back in the summer of the year after.

[DonLisk]

Bormeliads don't winter over I believe but do flower. In a viv, your bromelieds will just continue to grow and on occasion, have pups produce off the side of the base of the plant.

We had someone question a while back about a foam they found in Europe so not sure the name of it.

[Poly]

Hey Don, what's the exact name/a link (would be nice ) for the non-smelly GE silicone? I'm going to be starting my viv reaaally soon, so I'm getting a list of everything I need!

[DonLisk]

I use GE Silicone II in black. Some smell but goes away pretty quickly in a ventilated area. You need to buy the Window and Door version and NOT the Kitchen and Bath version.
Here is a link to the one I buy and although this is the Home Depot link, it it available a Lowes, and other hardware stores.
GE Silicone II 9.8 Oz. Window and Door Black (387762) from The Home Depot

[Poly]

Thanks! This is the one I was going to buy, they seem like the are exactly the same, but one says 100% silicone on the tube, and the other does not?

Here's the link I found

GE Silicone | GE Silicone II, Window & Door Sealant, BLACK, 290 mL | Home Depot Canada

[DonLisk]

Thanks! This is the one I was going to buy, they seem like the are exactly the same, but one says 100% silicone on the tube, and the other does not?

Here's the link I found

GE Silicone | GE Silicone II, Window & Door Sealant, BLACK, 290 mL | Home Depot Canada

Thats the one :-)

[Poly]

Thats the one :-)

Thanks!

How bout' this stuff, the clear silicone I will be using to stick my egg-crate & great stuff backround to the tank:

GE Silicone | GE Silicone II, Window & Door Sealant, CLEAR, 290 mL | Home Depot Canada

[asdfgh]

Oh, they continue to grow do they? I read somewhere recently (I think it was here) that they die after flowering, which was why I asked. Thanks.

[DonLisk]

Na, they keep on growing but if they do die off it takes forever before you would notice :-)


Poly, yes that is the correct stuff.

[asdfgh]

Ah, that is good.

A few more things: first of all, is coco fibre fine by itself for growing plants? Or does it need something added? And how would I go about attaching epiphytes to branches/vines?

[DonLisk]

Most plants you can completely rinse off and then just plant straight into the coco fiber substrate, but build your tank with a stone, clay ball, or eggcrate false bottom with a screen between the false bottom and the coco fiber, so you have good drainage.
Bromeliads do better if placed into a piece of cork, wood, or into the background since they don't need soil to live. If placed directly into a substrate that is always wet the base of the brom will slowly rot. If your substrate is only damp near the top and you have good drainage, then the bromeliad will do fine in the soil.

To attach things to a branch or vine, some people will hot glue it to the accent or sew in place. I drape it over or just wrap it and hope it takes and roots to the branch or vine.

One more note on bromeliads, they will grow when just pushed into a hole in a background and will root to the background.

[asdfgh]

Yeah, I was thinking of putting a bromeliad or two into the background, but was also considering a larger one on the substrate. (Using and 18x18x24) Although I suppose I could make a small mound out of the same stuff as the backgound, to place on top of the substrate.

I was thinking of something like this for the drainage etc: http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Sykur...ium_design.png (I only have paint so it is rather crude) Obviously with substrate and plants on top.

Also, do they plants need watering? Or will the humidity be enough for them?

[UncleChester]

Thanks!

How bout' this stuff, the clear silicone I will be using to stick my egg-crate & great stuff backround to the tank:

GE Silicone | GE Silicone II, Window & Door Sealant, CLEAR, 290 mL | Home Depot Canada

You're in Canada and probably have a home hardware nearby, so I'd look at:

Home Hardware - SEAL, SIL MULTI-P CLR 300ML 3PK

available singly as well and cheaper than GE silicone II. It is "clear" and aquarium safe.

[Poly]

You're in Canada and probably have a home hardware nearby, so I'd look at:

Home Hardware - SEAL, SIL MULTI-P CLR 300ML 3PK

available singly as well and cheaper than GE silicone II. It is "clear" and aquarium safe.

Well, My local Home Depot & Home Hardware are less that 5kms from each other, so distance is not a worry! To be honest I trust GE's silicone more.

~Royce

[UncleChester]

I was thinking of something like this for the drainage etc: http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Sykur...ium_design.png (I only have paint so it is rather crude) Obviously with substrate and plants on top.

Also, do they plants need watering? Or will the humidity be enough for them?

I wouldn't bother with the eggcrate if you are putting down a layer of gravel, they both have the same purpose- to raise the substrate above the drainage layer. You can also use LECA, the little clay balls, instead of gravel to save on weight.


As to water, it depends on the plants moisture requirements. Some will be fine with just the occasional misting, some like a deeper soaking now and then.

Well, My local Home Depot & Home Hardware are less that 5kms from each other, so distance is not a worry! To be honest I trust GE's silicone more.

~Royce

I've been using it for a couple of years to make a few vivariums as well as attach stuff to the inside and have never had a problem. I had found references online of people using it to build fish tanks in the ~100 gallon range (as well as unconfirmed speculation that it's actually made by GE). The stuff is strong, cheap, readily available in Canada, and non-toxic. Up to you of course, use what you are comfortable with

[Medgrik]

can i use acrylic paint right on great stuff?.. it's gonna be under the water. Will it wash away quick if i can paint it right on?