Questions about attaching greatstuff in large vivariums.

[Darkness9876]

I know the usual method of getting greatstuff to adhear to the sides of a terrarium with silicone is effective, but in larger applications is this still adequate?


I plan on having a large show vivarium someday. Something approaching a 4'x8' back panel. It will be made out of marine grade 1" plywood covered in epoxy. Would there be any repercussions of making a supporting frame out of large wire mesh? (3/8" hole size)

[carola1155]

instead of using wire... maybe try using this stuff just to play it safe: Tenax 2 Ft. x 25 Ft. Green Poultry Fence - 060789 at The Home Depot

A lot of people just use eggcrate when they are trying to support a heavier greatstuff background... I dont know if i've ever seen it done with wire

[loogielv]

i have something like this planned too, and the idea of using that much GS doesn't appeal to me, much less how to support it. Why not go with foam/concrete? do it in sections and add it a piece at a time?

I'm gonna do mine outside of the viv in on long sheet about 2 inches shorter than the viv. I'm gonna shape it and form it, and then cut it into sections (cut along natural lines, instead of just straight down the middle. you can rejoin it seamlessly that way). Then concrete the sections (again, outside the viv, but you could easily put the sections into the viv and concrete it then.

way easier and less to worry about..imo.. cheaper as well

[Darkness9876]

I have thought of this as well.

The main thing is with a tank that big you can't take it outside to work on it. It will have to be done "In house". Sorry had to use it.

I would like to also have the dripwall and waterfall tubing built into the wall which would be harder with the foam and concrete.

The tank itself will be built into a wall and have an opening top for general stuff. But as its so deep it will also have a set of sliding doors on the front. The sides and back will be covered in background and the demensions of the tank will let me have a little pond in one corner as well as quite a bit of height variation.

[loogielv]

even still, foam/concrete is still doable, just put a tube in the place where you want the tube to be once set up. do it in sections and cement it outside, then just plop it into place with silicone or bracing or whatever. that's how big backgrounds are made for large aquariums.

if you're set on great stuff, I dont see any reason why anything wouldn't work, egg crate, wire mess, chicken wire, window screens...actually, now that i think about it, chicken wire would probably work the best as you can plyit outwards and form the general shape before you even start the GS...