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Thread: Vivarium backing: bare back foam vs

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    Default Vivarium backing: bare back foam vs great stuff with coco fiber etc

    So with vivarium backing I've noticed a number of methods:
    1. Bare black foam
    I did this with mine. Just black foam. Looks pretty decent in my opinion. Kinda rock-like, can be unpredictable in shape.
    2. Black or great stuff foam with silicone and coco fiber
    In some tutorials the glass is coated with foam and then the foam is covered with silicone and dry coco fiber. Ive been thinking of doing this for my next viv.
    3.exoterra etc premade fitted backings.

    Which do you find easiest and/or cheapest to make? Which do you feel looks most natural?
    Also, with the silicone covered foam with coco fiber, does moss grow on the backing? And can a pothos plant climb on it?
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    Default Re: Vivarium backing: bare back foam vs great stuff with coco fiber etc

    For my paludarium, I used sheets of ping polystyrene insulation. I cut it to look like flat pieces of limestone, sanded it to give it texture, attached them to the back. Then I used a mortar product to seal it. It looked great. Then I found some non-toxic waterproof paint, and painted it dark gray. I added some green paint to look like moss; instead, it looks like the Incredible Hulk threw up all over it. The herps don't seem to mind, though.
    If I had it to do over, I would use a pumice based product that I saw in Reptiles magazine a while back. You can grow moss right on the surface. I don't remember the name of the company.

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    Default Re: Vivarium backing: bare back foam vs

    That pumice sounds really interesting. I'd be really interested in hearing more about that, I'll have to do some googling.
    What kind of paint did you use? I saw some tutorials including directions to paint the foam, but it never includes the exact type. I would assume non-toxic acrylic paint(s), but I also figured it'd need a sealant over the paint.
    1 Male Giant African Bullfrog
    2 Woodhouse's Toads
    11 Pacific Treefrogs
    1 Dubia Roach Colony
    2 Australian Green Treefrogs

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    Default Re: Vivarium backing: bare back foam vs

    I don't recall the name of the paint I used. It was a waterproof, exterior latex, low VOC and very thick. It came from Sherwin Williams.
    This is where I bought the foam coating:
    https://hotwirefoamfactory.com/foam-coats/
    I have not been able to find the name of the company that does the pumice product. They ran ads in Reptiles Magazine for a while, but do not appear to be in the lates issue.

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    Default Re: Vivarium backing: bare back foam vs

    Don't sweat it, it'll just take a look at the product lines, maybe an email to the company. It should be easy with the specifications you gave me. I think...I'm no paint expert lol. This is really helpful, since ive been wondering what kind of paint to use for this. I wonder if I could use it to coat fake logs made of PVC Pipe. The pumice may have sounded interesting, but it's no big deal.
    Also, I'd love to see pictures of your vivarium! The background sounds cool.
    1 Male Giant African Bullfrog
    2 Woodhouse's Toads
    11 Pacific Treefrogs
    1 Dubia Roach Colony
    2 Australian Green Treefrogs

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