started my project

[zig3y]

very interesting, did not realize there were so many different kind of bromeliads out there. So many more options on what to put in my viv!

[zig3y]

once again I have more questions lol, So I got some great stuff expanding foam and I was wandering about the silicone now. Can I spray the great stuff now and let it dry then add the silicone later? and also will the silicone dry fast and I need to apply the coconut fiber fast?

[DonLisk]

You apply the Great stuff but try not to make it too think since it needs to dry completely and you will find that it will expand up to 50 percent more than what you spray in. you let it completely dry so you can trim, shape, cut it how you want it to look.

For making ledges, cracks and such you exaggerate the size of the ledge ot cracks since the silicone and substrate will fill some of it in. if its not exaggerated then you'll completely fill it in and end up with no crack or ledge :-)

Might take two days or more to completely dry inside but after a day you can get started on the silicone.

Apply the silicone in sections nice and thick. Use rubber gloves to spread it around and don't worry about getting it on the glass, a razor takes it right off after it drys.

Once you cover a section or the whole background thickly, pile on the substrate and you can never put on too much. Press it down firmly into the silicone and get it really pressed in. Allow this to dry and remember that the excess will just fall off and you can dump it out later. Once the original coating is dry, you can do touch up with more silicone and substrate. Remember, mistakes can be cut out and redone with ease but many mistakes look more natural :-)

[DonLisk]

Oh, in thick section you can push a hole into the area with a long skewer after the top layer is nice and hard, to help drying inside and slow down the amount it expands... it will ooze out a lot from areas, but I let it happen and just trim that off when dry.

[DonLisk]

One more....Wear rubber glove because the GS is a mess to get off skin.

[zig3y]

thanks for all the advice once again don! I already found out wearing gloves is a good idea while experimenting earlier .

[zig3y]

Hey just thought I would give an update on how things were going, remember this is my first vivarium so criticize all you want! some advice if I am doing good or not would be great.

The false bottom I got from Don's guide and along with all the other things I have taken from his guides!