[BethInAK]

I am finally done being in the peanut gallery and getting started on my build. I want to great stuff tomorrow.

I am unsure how many inches to leave for my false bottom drainage layer and soil!

Thanks especially to anyone who answers before I break out the can of great stuff!!

 

[verybadcow]

My false bottoms are usually 2". I silicone the back glass then apply the GS from top to bottom. Remember the GS will shrink once it gets wet and warm. I've noticed it usually shrinks a good 1" on all sides.
Once it's done shrinking (after about a day) I cut the bottom enough to slide the bottom in. Then add the top soil etc...

 

[JakkBauer]

My false bottoms are usually 2". I silicone the back glass then apply the GS from top to bottom. Remember the GS will shrink once it gets wet and warm. I've noticed it usually shrinks a good 1" on all sides.
Once it's done shrinking (after about a day) I cut the bottom enough to slide the bottom in. Then add the top soil etc...

Do you coat in silicone and coco fiber or peat before you slide the bottom back in or while its in there?

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[verybadcow]

I do it while it's in there. This last time I used gorilla glue and cocofiber instead of the brown silicone to see what worked better. The only difference I noticed is that since the gorilla glue tends to expand when drying, it gave the background more rounded soft edges rather than the texture the silicone gives.
The substrate sits about 4" on top of the FB and is more than enough to cover what small parts of the GS towards the bottom I may miss.

 

[JakkBauer]

I do it while it's in there. This last time I used gorilla glue and cocofiber instead of the brown silicone to see what worked better. The only difference I noticed is that since the gorilla glue tends to expand when drying, it gave the background more rounded soft edges rather than the texture the silicone gives.
The substrate sits about 4" on top of the FB and is more than enough to cover what small parts of the GS towards the bottom I may miss.

That's what she said! But seriously, thanks. Ive been thinking about using gorilla glue. So you just vaccum what coco fiber falls down on top of the false bottom then?

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[verybadcow]

That's what she said! But seriously, thanks. Ive been thinking about using gorilla glue. So you just vaccum what coco fiber falls down on top of the false bottom then?

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Lol....Nah, no need to since I cover my eggcrate FB with a weed guard nothing falls through so I just add the substrate on top of whatever coco is left and mix it all together. Give it a good soaking and it's good to go.

 

[JakkBauer]

Lol....Nah, no need to since I cover my eggcrate FB with a weed guard nothing falls through so I just add the substrate on top of whatever coco is left and mix it all together. Give it a good soaking and it's good to go.

Ok cool, so usually no silicone gets mixed in with those bottom bits? That was my concern.

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[BethInAK]

thanks guys.
My tank is small (its an exoterra 12x12x18) so i skimped a little on the height of my false bottom and will also skimp a little on substrate since it will fall out the door if I make it deeper! Its going to be for mourning geckos.

 

[Zoomie]

Pics or it didn't happen !

Congrats !