Well, here we go...100 gallons. Walk me through it?!

[deranged chipmunk]

I will do that, thanks! I just need to figure out where I can find big sheets of Styrofoam. any ideas?

Also, how do I post pictures that are bigger than just a little thumbnail preview?

home depot, in the building materials section (where all the lumber is). it's the stuff used to insulate houses. look for the pink stuff, it's much better than the white stuff that they have. that's the same as a styrofoam cup. very messy to work with and you cannot get clean edges with it.

(for my stalker: as per your suggestion, i googled that )

[deranged chipmunk]

oh, for pics, i use a photobucket account and just copy an paste the "img" link to your post. i find it easier, especially since i post across multiple forums

[BCollie]

home depot, in the building materials section (where all the lumber is). it's the stuff used to insulate houses. look for the pink stuff, it's much better than the white stuff that they have. that's the same as a styrofoam cup. very messy to work with and you cannot get clean edges with it.

(for my stalker: as per your suggestion, i googled that )

Okay, so the pink stuff used to insulate hoses...safe to use but may not turn out great if that's what you're saying?

Re the other posts, I'm working on something right now but will get back to you when I'm done.

[deranged chipmunk]

No, sorry if I was unclear. The pink stuff is awesome!! White stuff, eh, not so much lol


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[BCollie]

No, sorry if I was unclear. The pink stuff is awesome!! White stuff, eh, not so much lol

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

Gotcha. Does the pink stuff come in big sheets? What does it look like?

[LisaGarcia]

http://insulation.owenscorning.com/u...45c8cb3d35.jpg


Looks like this..

[deranged chipmunk]

It comes in 2x2' sheets 1x10' and 4x8' sheets I believe.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[BCollie]

Hmmm...what size(or combination of sizes) should I get to make a background for a 5ft wide x 23" tall tank?

[deranged chipmunk]

I would get 3 2x2 sheets if they have any.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

I will do that, thanks! I just need to figure out where I can find big sheets of Styrofoam. any ideas?

Also, how do I post pictures that are bigger than just a little thumbnail preview?

I don't use the sites uploader because it hates me. I upload my pictures to Facebook or Photobucket and then link them to the posts.

You can get the styrofoam at Home Depot or Lowes. You want the big Pink wall insulation ones

Then you can go to hobby lobby and by a Hotwire foam cutter to carve with


edit: - NM would help if I read ALL the posts before responding lol.

[BCollie]

And then just super glue them together? Or silicone them together?

[DigitalPunk]

To make them thicker? Use aquarium safe silicone or 2 part epoxy... Not sure if the epoxy will react poorly with the Styrofoam or not.

Or tooth picks. You could use tooth picks to hold them together

[deranged chipmunk]

silicone. i'm not 100%, but i believe superglue eats styrofoam.

[deranged chipmunk]

To make them thicker? Use aquarium safe silicone or 2 part epoxy... Not sure if the epoxy will react poorly with the Styrofoam or not.

Paul, you're killing me!! read the posts buddy!! to join the 3 2x2 sheets together to make a 6x2 sheet she can cut into a 5'x23" sheet for the tank.

[DigitalPunk]

Beat you! Ha! oh and Ginx

[deranged chipmunk]

Not sure if the epoxy will react poorly with the Styrofoam or not.

you should google that

[UncleChester]

A low temp hot glue gun works great for styrofoam, no long cure time or bad smells unless you happen to melt the styrofoam (then it's awful and something you should run away from). This takes some effort with a low temp gun and the solid insulation type of foam, like pressing the tip up against the foam for a few seconds. The lack of a curing time may work against you if you want time to re-position things. Either way, it can be used to 'tack' pieces in place if you plan on siliconing.

I may have missed it, but what are covering the background with?

[BCollie]

Sorry my response have been kind of suckish for the last 2 hours!! For an hour and a half I've been picking up acorns out of my parents front yard so that they don't have baby oak trees sprouting up everywhere. I get paid $10/hour for working for them, so I've earned $15 to put towards my vivarium budget. Woohoo! And I'm making more money tomorrow by picking up acorns out of the back yard, AND acting as a taxi cab for my younger brother tonight.

ok, all caught up. Andri, i assume brian's post was helpful and got materials figured out?

just out of curiosity, what are you using as a drainage layer?

I haven't figured that out yet. Can you explain how a drainage layer works, and what the best material for it is? I don't think I've read that far on the Viv101 thread yet!

P.S. my name is Adri Very close!

[Heatheranne]

You can mix acrylic paint with Titebond III glue to coat the styrofoam.

[BCollie]

A low temp hot glue gun works great for styrofoam, no long cure time or bad smells unless you happen to melt the styrofoam (then it's awful and something you should run away from). This takes some effort with a low temp gun and the solid insulation type of foam, like pressing the tip up against the foam for a few seconds. The lack of a curing time may work against you if you want time to re-position things. Either way, it can be used to 'tack' pieces in place if you plan on siliconing.

I may have missed it, but what are covering the background with?

I believe we don't have a hot glue gun, so I'll just pick up some aquarium-safe silicone from the store.
And I'm not sure what I'm covering it with yet. I was first trying to figure out what to use lol!