Details, details, details

[MissSkittles]

Hey all. I know there’s a million and one threads on foaming backgrounds into a Repti Breeze, but there’s a couple of details that elude me.
Do I assemble the enclosure, attach the egg crate light diffuser panels and then foam over it? Is it easier to foam the enclosure panels unassembled (leaving space for the sides to meet) and then foam in the corners? Or, do I foam just the eggcrate panels and then insert and attach in the enclosure?
I’m going to go bioactive using the bio dude’s bags. Do I need to foam all the way down to the bottom or leave the bioactive level unfoamed?
What is the best silicone to use? There isn’t a spray option to use instead of goopy silicone, is there?
When I’m ready to do my girl’s enclosures, is it best to use their dragon ledges to secure the egg crate diffuser or remove them?
Many thanks in advance for any/all advice.

 

[Beman]

Ohhhhh @absolutbill did a whole blog series using it with a clearside dragon strand but it might help you.... https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/blog/setting-up-a-large-clearside-dragonstrand-cage.40644/

 

[absolutbill]

Thanks for the shout out @Beman! @MissSkittles, to answer your questions, we set up the enclosure and then mapped out where we wanted the foam to go. This will help you avoid an issue in the corners where you have foam meeting and not allowing the cage to be properly attached. Then, once you have that mapped out, disassemble the cage and do each panel separately. We foamed in the eggcrates, and they are still inside the foam in the cages.

I don't do bioactive, so I can't answer that question, but if I had to guess I'd say to leave that portion unfoamed. It just seems to me that you run less risk of issues, and it's one element out of the equation when you are setting up bioactive. This is not based on anything other than my opinion, so if someone has done it, please jump in!

You will need the goopy silicone, there is no spray, and be VERY careful with it - it will stain your clothes, hair, skin, whatever. Wear old clothes and gloves and take your time. I think the silicone is called GE2, and I get it in Lowe's. It comes in a while bottle and they have it in a lot of colors - browns, tans, black, etc. I use black, it's covered, so there's no particular reason why, just that it's easier to make sure you are always using the same color.

If you read the blog you can see how we put in the Dragon Ledges - it's much easier to see than for me to try to type out (I just had a big Greek meal and am in a Feta-coma!). Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions, but I tried to cover everything in the blog.

 

[Lennoncham]

For my bioactive frog and anole tanks I just foamed to where the soil level was going to be. No need to use extra foam just for it to be covered. Plus I didn’t want it sitting to much under the soil layer just in case.

 

[salty dog]

Hard to see with no pictures!!

 

[Sammysoffe]

How do I prevent plants from going moldy

 

[Lennoncham]

Hard to see with no pictures!!

hard to see what with no pictures?

 

[Lennoncham]

How do I prevent plants from going moldy

please start your own thread and we will be happy to help.

 

[salty dog]

I'm a visual person, I prefer pictures

 

[Lennoncham]

I'm a visual person, I prefer pictures

what are you talking about? Bills blog? There is pictures. Did you click on the individual blog posts?

 

[MissSkittles]

How do I prevent plants from going moldy

Ventilation! If you’re asking about bioactive, drainage and ventilation.

 

[salty dog]

I'm beiing silly.... I saw viv enclosure and like to see what other people are doing....the question the op was asking is non conducive for a picture

 

[MissSkittles]

Thanks for the shout out @Beman! @MissSkittles, to answer your questions, we set up the enclosure and then mapped out where we wanted the foam to go. This will help you avoid an issue in the corners where you have foam meeting and not allowing the cage to be properly attached. Then, once you have that mapped out, disassemble the cage and do each panel separately. We foamed in the eggcrates, and they are still inside the foam in the cages.

I don't do bioactive, so I can't answer that question, but if I had to guess I'd say to leave that portion unfoamed. It just seems to me that you run less risk of issues, and it's one element out of the equation when you are setting up bioactive. This is not based on anything other than my opinion, so if someone has done it, please jump in!

You will need the goopy silicone, there is no spray, and be VERY careful with it - it will stain your clothes, hair, skin, whatever. Wear old clothes and gloves and take your time. I think the silicone is called GE2, and I get it in Lowe's. It comes in a while bottle and they have it in a lot of colors - browns, tans, black, etc. I use black, it's covered, so there's no particular reason why, just that it's easier to make sure you are always using the same color.

If you read the blog you can see how we put in the Dragon Ledges - it's much easier to see than for me to try to type out (I just had a big Greek meal and am in a Feta-coma!). Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions, but I tried to cover everything in the blog.

Wow! Looks like I have a bit of reading to do! Thanks so very much for all the info. Hoping to get this started in the next couple of days.

 

[MissSkittles]

I'm beiing silly.... I saw viv enclosure and like to see what other people are doing....the question the op was asking is non conducive for a picture

Silly Salty! ? It may take me a little while to get it completed, but just for you I’ll post pics when it’s done.

 

[Sammysoffe]

please start your own thread and we will be happy to help.

I just did that!

 

[Sammysoffe]

Ventilation! If you’re asking about bioactive, drainage and ventilation.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[KRGEE21]

Hey all. I know there’s a million and one threads on foaming backgrounds into a Repti Breeze, but there’s a couple of details that elude me.
Do I assemble the enclosure, attach the egg crate light diffuser panels and then foam over it? Is it easier to foam the enclosure panels unassembled (leaving space for the sides to meet) and then foam in the corners? Or, do I foam just the eggcrate panels and then insert and attach in the enclosure?
I’m going to go bioactive using the bio dude’s bags. Do I need to foam all the way down to the bottom or leave the bioactive level unfoamed?
What is the best silicone to use? There isn’t a spray option to use instead of goopy silicone, is there?
When I’m ready to do my girl’s enclosures, is it best to use their dragon ledges to secure the egg crate diffuser or remove them?
Many thanks in advance for any/all advice.

The liquid flex seal is a great alternative to silicone. Way easier to spread out with a paint brush, and does not tack over as fast.

 

[MissSkittles]

The liquid flex seal is a great alternative to silicone. Way easier to spread out with a paint brush, and does not tack over as fast.

And the coco coir/eco earth will adhere well to it?

 

[KRGEE21]

And the coco coir/eco earth will adhere well to it?

Yes. I have one going on three months now, and no issues with adhesion. Just need to make sure the outer layer of foam is shaped/carved before applying either the silicone or flex seal otherwise nothing will stick long term.

 

[MissSkittles]

Yes. I have one going on three months now, and no issues with adhesion. Just need to make sure the outer layer of foam is shaped/carved before applying either the silicone or flex seal otherwise nothing will stick long term.

Thank so much for the tip.