[thegeminijungle]

I am currently making a new building and I have a question regarding the silicone/coconut coir step of the progress in creating the background.

Of course I am pressing the coconut coir into the silicone and giving it a while to dry but there are still patches where too much has fallen off and I can see the black silicone underneath. My question is, is there any reason I shouldn't put silicone over those areas and add the coconut coir again?

 

[Partsgardener]

I am working on a build and had a few spots like that. They are in easily concealed places, so I decided to leave them be. I remember hearing and repeating "new silicone doesn't stick to old silicone" back in my aquarium shop days. I have no idea if that is just for sealing water, or if recently cured silicone is different than "old". It would be an easy experiment to do outside of the vivarium.

 

[thegeminijungle]

I am working on a build and had a few spots like that. They are in easily concealed places, so I decided to leave them be. I remember hearing and repeating "new silicone doesn't stick to old silicone" back in my aquarium shop days. I have no idea if that is just for sealing water, or if recently cured silicone is different than "old". It would be an easy experiment to do outside of the vivarium.

I feel like I also remember hearing that but maybe the coconut coir would help bind it and give something to grip to? I don't know! I'm sure someone here has experience.

 

[JasonE]

I feel like I also remember hearing that but maybe the coconut coir would help bind it and give something to grip to? I don't know! I'm sure someone here has experience.

I typically use black silicone and black great stuff so I don't have to worry about missed spots. The black will usually end up just blending into the shadows created by plants and hardscape. If it means that much to you, just put more silicone and coir. You're not trying to keep an aquarium from leaking so it'll be alright.

 

[thegeminijungle]

I typically use black silicone and black great stuff so I don't have to worry about missed spots. The black will usually end up just blending into the shadows created by plants and hardscape. If it means that much to you, just put more silicone and coir. You're not trying to keep an aquarium from leaking so it'll be alright.

I'm also using black silicone and black Great Stuff. I do want an even coating of coconut coir so I might just try adding another layer over top.

 

[Partsgardener]

I would be careful as the silicone will definitely not smear evenly over loose coir. some small wooden tool might help(coffee stir stick?). It would be very easy to end up adding more thickness to the background than you meant too.

 

[thegeminijungle]

I would be careful as the silicone will definitely not smear evenly over loose coir. some small wooden tool might help(coffee stir stick?). It would be very easy to end up adding more thickness to the background than you meant too.

Yeah I went ahead and went over the few areas. I used a small bamboo stick to really press the silicone into the coconut coir, hopefully it does the trick but I’m letting it cure over night so we’ll see the final result tomorrow. I feel hopeful that it’ll be fine! I’ll let you guys know how it goes.