[varanoid]

I'm about to attempt a clay background in my 18x18x18 exoterra and wanted to know how thick I should apply the clay to the background?

 

[johnyrocks]

IME, anything below 1 inch cracks VERY easily. I would recommend 2-4 inches.

 

[Pumilo]

I think around an inch is a decent average thickness. In areas where I went too thin, like on my side walls, it quickly cracked up and fell off.

 

[varanoid]

Sounds good guys. I was only going to do it around an inch thick. I think I'll error on the safe side and have the background average around 2+ inches.

 

[johnyrocks]

Sounds good guys. I was only going to do it around an inch thick. I think I'll error on the safe side and have the background average around 2+ inches.

Sounds good. The thicker, the better.

 

[varanoid]

Sounds good. The thicker, the better.

I hear ya, but I want to keep the weight down as much as possible without comprimising the structural integrity of the background. I will be moving next month so its something that I have to consider.

 

[Ed]

If you make it too thick, then the center of it can go anaerobic resulting in bad smells...

I tend to follow along the same lines as Pumilo. The picture shows one where the clay is about an inch thick (it is a testing tank so no frogs).

Ed

 

[Ed]

Here's the picture.

Ed

 

[johnyrocks]

Thanks for the post ed, I had no idea that if it was thick it could do anaerobic due to it's extreme density.

 

[Tadbit]

I’ve wondered if anyone has tried installing some sort of structural reinforcement behind the clay to aid with the weight load, also something to help sure it up from cracking and collapsing. Perhaps some eggcrate fixed against the glass which would allow for better support? Something I may try my next build just to see how if fairs….

Anyone tried something like this?

 

[motydesign]

same thought i had as i tore down my first clay build

 

[johnyrocks]

I'm laughing right now! You guys have no idea! Clay stucks 10000 times better to ANY sureface than great stuff. It's very tacky and will stick forever. Even when dry some bits will still stick very well. I always LMAO when I hear someone say " I don't think it is structurally sound " or something along those lines.

 

[afterdark]

I’ve wondered if anyone has tried installing some sort of structural reinforcement behind the clay to aid with the weight load, also something to help sure it up from cracking and collapsing. Perhaps some eggcrate fixed against the glass which would allow for better support? Something I may try my next build just to see how if fairs….

Anyone tried something like this?

I siliconed EpiWeb onto the back of my tanks and applied the clay overtop. Works like a charm and cuts down on the weight quite a bit I imagine.

 

[Ed]

I'm laughing right now! You guys have no idea! Clay stucks 10000 times better to ANY sureface than great stuff. It's very tacky and will stick forever. Even when dry some bits will still stick very well. I always LMAO when I hear someone say " I don't think it is structurally sound " or something along those lines.

Then you haven't worked with it to any extent... I suggest reading some of the threads in which it did fail..

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/pa...-wood-background-before-adding-clay-else.html

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/59903-clay-fail.html

It would help if you had some knowledge of the topics on which you give advice or make statements....

 

[Yobosayo]

I'm laughing right now! You guys have no idea! Clay stucks 10000 times better to ANY sureface than great stuff. It's very tacky and will stick forever. Even when dry some bits will still stick very well. I always LMAO when I hear someone say " I don't think it is structurally sound " or something along those lines.

And I LMAO at all of your nonsensical posts. STFU. You need a read only account for about the next three years.

 

[varanoid]

If you make it too thick, then the center of it can go anaerobic resulting in bad smells...

I tend to follow along the same lines as Pumilo. The picture shows one where the clay is about an inch thick (it is a testing tank so no frogs).

Ed

Gotcha. Was Hoping it didn't need to be thicker than a couple inches. Glad it doesn't need to be that thick (never doubted you pumilo, just wanted to be cuatious for my frogs. If thicker means safer thats what I wanted). 1" avg. background allows more ground space and lightens the load some. I'm sold.

Guess what I am really asking is what is the shortest thickness you would allow?

I'm laughing right now! You guys have no idea! Clay stucks 10000 times better to ANY sureface than great stuff. It's very tacky and will stick forever. Even when dry some bits will still stick very well. I always LMAO when I hear someone say " I don't think it is structurally sound " or something along those lines.

You are not answering anything I have asked.

Then you haven't worked with it to any extent... I suggest reading some of the threads in which it did fail..

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/pa...-wood-background-before-adding-clay-else.html

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/59903-clay-fail.html

It would help if you had some knowledge of the topics on which you give advice or make statements....

Thank you for answering what I have asked and providing relevent information.

 

[Pumilo]

Gotcha. Was Hoping it didn't need to be thicker than a couple inches. Glad it doesn't need to be that thick (never doubted you pumilo, just wanted to be cuatious for my frogs. If thicker means safer thats what I wanted). 1" avg. background allows more ground space and lightens the load some. I'm sold.

There are a lot of knowledgeable people out there. People certainly more knowledgeable than I am. But to take JohnyRocks' advice over mine.... I think part of me just died!!
just giving you a hard time

 

[varanoid]

There are a lot of knowledgeable people out there. People certainly more knowledgeable than I am. But to take JohnyRocks' advice over mine.... I think part of me just died!!
just giving you a hard time

Hahaha. Sorry my friend. It looks like it was almost the blind leading the blind on this one. Thanks to those who called the dude out and opened my eyes.

Anyways, like I said my last question is what is the thinnest you would allow the clay background to get in any given location? I got the avg. thickness answer, but was hoping that someone would answer this question as well.

 

[frogfreak]

Perhaps some eggcrate fixed against the glass which would allow for better support?

I am doing this right now. I don't think it's necessary, but since I've only done one tank and it failed. (My fault) I'm doing it as a precaution.

 

[Ed]

Anyways, like I said my last question is what is the thinnest you would allow the clay background to get in any given location? I got the avg. thickness answer, but was hoping that someone would answer this question as well.

Welcome to world of trials.. I don't think anyone has tried to see just how thin it could be and still work.. so if you want to experiment in that direction we would appreciate the data...

Ed