[whitetiprs13]

I am ready to start building my viv but still have a few questions.

I plan on using a bunch of cork bark in my background and was wondering if it is better to lay the foam down first then push the cork in to the foam or to just foam around the outside of the cork.?

Also some of the piece have some holes all the way through them which would allow water and other stuff to collect behind them. Should I seal up the holes with greatstuff behind them?

 

[Pumilo]

Neither. It is best to silicone your cork bark and wood work to the back wall of the viv for the firmest attachment. Then, after it has fully cured, apply your great stuff.

 

[frogparty]

Or you could ditch the great stuff and use more cork and sphagnum

 

[whitetiprs13]

What if the cork bark is not flat on the back or it is more of a half round shape? Should I just silicone it in place the fill in behind it with great stuff?

 

[Shinosuke]

A good idea that Pumilo gave me for rounded pieces of bark on the background is to seal the bottom, fill with dirt or charcoal, then seed it with springtails and occasionally through some food back there. That way they have a safe little "breeding area" in the tank.
Alternatively you could put some dirt and a plant in it. Just make sure you have a way for the water to drain out if you do that.

 

[Pumilo]

A good idea that Pumilo gave me for rounded pieces of bark on the background is to seal the bottom, fill with dirt or charcoal, then seed it with springtails and occasionally through some food back there. That way they have a safe little "breeding area" in the tank.

That would be using it as a refugium.

 

[frogparty]

Stuff non flat areas with sphagnum if not used as refugia.

 

[whitetiprs13]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Most of what I have is not flat so using it as a refugium is what I will do.

 

[frogparty]

makes excellent planting pockets as well