Touching up silicone and eco earth

[Gradderz]

So I've coated my expanding foam background with silicone and eco earth, and while it's worked really well theres some patches where the eco earth is pretty sparse, showing the shiny black silicone behind it, would it be acceptable to put another layer of silicone and eco earth over these patches? I'm not sure if the silicone would adhere to the other layer of silicone and eco earth underneath it as I'm scared the eco earth could become loose and make it fall off...I can post pictures if needed but people talk of touching up empty spaces and I've always assumed this means exposed expanding foam, not patches of exposed silicone?

[deranged chipmunk]

No, you cannot add more silicone. Silicone will adhere to almost anything EXCEPT previously cure silicone.


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

[Gradderz]

What would you recommend in this case then? Cutting the small sections of previously cured silicone and going over it again?

[Gradderz]

Although like I did say there is a small amount of eco earth still stuck into the silicone which may give it a texture to adhere to?

[flybyferns]

Hello,
Could post a photo.
It will help to puts some heads together
There are lots of very clever members here!

Photos will wake our 'brains' up.

[ColleenT]

try a safe glue and the eco earth again.

[DigitalPunk]

Glue will not stick to silicon. When doing a silicone + (insert your covering material here) it is a one shot deal. If you have bare spots after that than it is time to get creative. You can pin some moss over it to hide it. Put a plant in front of it to obscure it. Or leave it. Your frog won't care which method you chose as long as the temps and humidity are right. All the rest is for our benefit.

[flybyferns]

try a safe glue and the eco earth again.

What safe glue ?

[flybyferns]

Glue will not stick to silicon. When doing a silicone + (insert your covering material here) it is a one shot deal. If you have bare spots after that than it is time to get creative. You can pin some moss over it to hide it. Put a plant in front of it to obscure it. Or leave it. Your frog won't care which method you chose as long as the temps and humidity are right. All the rest is for our benefit.

I need photos

[ColleenT]

What safe glue ?

i have seen members refer to Titebond 3. i think that was the one.

[Lija]

Colleen... Have you tried it yourself? I just want to remind you, people come here to ask questions and they wanna know what would work and what not. Advising on what you are not sure about or even what is it you are suggesting to use might cause more problems down the road for them. So please just be careful with that.

[Gradderz]

Here is a section of what im talking about, hoping it isnt too blurry.
Though in the grand scheme of things it doesnt seem too bad! I have ran out of silicone though. .oops!

[Lija]

Honestly... I wouldn't worry about it Looking great so far may i say!


Check this out if you hadn't done so already http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...ion-101-a.html

[Gradderz]

Honestly... I wouldn't worry about it Looking great so far may i say!


Check this out if you hadn't done so already http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...ion-101-a.html

Thanks!
Though I'm definitely gonna patch up the little bits of exposed expanding foam with a little bead of silicone, as I'm not sure if the foam leaks chemicals when wet, either way I don't want to take the chance and need it as waterproof as possible.

[Gradderz]

Glue will not stick to silicon. When doing a silicone + (insert your covering material here) it is a one shot deal. If you have bare spots after that than it is time to get creative. You can pin some moss over it to hide it. Put a plant in front of it to obscure it. Or leave it. Your frog won't care which method you chose as long as the temps and humidity are right. All the rest is for our benefit.

This sounds good, how do I go about pinning Moss to the background?
This is something I've always wanted in my tank, nice sections of bright green moss!

[DigitalPunk]

You can attach moss in several different ways. My personal favorite when dealing with a foam or cork background is to use Floral wire. Cut a small 1in piece and bent it into a U and then press it into the moss. You can also use glue (hot glue, super clue, epoxy... Just a small dab and press the moss into it), silicone, zip ties, Lay the tank on its back and let the moss grown laying on the wall for 2 - 4 weeks and see if it attaches itself.

So many options

[Gradderz]

You can attach moss in several different ways. My personal favorite when dealing with a foam or cork background is to use Floral wire. Cut a small 1in piece and bent it into a U and then press it into the moss. You can also use glue (hot glue, super clue, epoxy... Just a small dab and press the moss into it), silicone, zip ties, Lay the tank on its back and let the moss grown laying on the wall for 2 - 4 weeks and see if it attaches itself.

So many options

Good to know there plenty of options! I'm thinking the floral wire seems to be the easiest option like, it's a similar technique to planting epiphytes by the sounds. What Moss grows best on backgrounds like this? Dart frog UK sell sheet Moss which looks quite nice!

[DigitalPunk]

Sheet moss would work great