Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what you use to cover polystyrene/great stuff with to make fake "rock" walls in a humid environment, like a crested geckos tank. Thanks.

AM

Why would you have to cover it with anything special?? I have had it in my 55 gallon amphibian tank for a year now no problems..

Tom

So I can still use grout sealed with an acrylic sealer and nothing should happen?

Off the top of my head, here is a list of items that have been used on foam backgrounds in fish tanks. If they can survive a submerged application that can survive high humidity.

Tile grout

Polymerized or hydraulic cement

Acrylic bonding agent

Acrylic sealer

Drylok Masonry Waterproofer (latex)

Many epoxies

Cement dyes

Silicone
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

You can use many things. Cement and tile grout are very common. Both work well, are cheap, can be had in a vriety of colors, and are not hard to work with. I don't really think you absolutely need to seal the product but sealing it makes it easier to clean and less likely to retain an odor etc..

If your worried about any kind of toxicity just soak the finished product in water for 2 weeks, changing the water frequently. This is what many people do for aquariums.

Epoxy also works exceptionally well and is basically water proof. I believe for aquariums the recommended brand is west systems 105 resin but don't quote me on that. This is more expensive however, much more expensive and for a gecko tank probably overkill.

I think I'll not use it in my tank now thinking about it and instead do what many viv keepers do. They put great stuff down and silicone coco fiber to the foam. I like that idea. It looks nice, too. Thanks for all your help, guys.

AM

A similar option is something that Europeans do. Instead of using silicone they buy an acrylic bonding agent (for concrete) and mix it peat or coco husk fiber in until it forms a thick slurry. Then they just spread it on carved foam or the European equivalent of Great Stuff.

The acrylic bonding agent is basically a cloudy and slightly viscous liquid and is easy to work with. Less mess than silicone and a lot cheaper.

I have translated a couple of European sites regarding this technique and I gather those who have tried both prefer the acrylic bonding agent over the silicone.

Someone posted a link to this method recently. You might read through the first few pages of this forum and see if you can find it.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.