Introduction / 125 Gallon Terrarium Build

[Chrisinator]

That looks awesome!

 

[wespastor]

For those of you who have been following...

I have a process for pigmenting expanded foam you can color it any color you chose and it is completely inert (safe) in terraria and aquaria.

To make it short I added some brass to Driftwood and coated it with colored foam to sink it. However the color to the eye out of water is NOT the color in the water. In fact it is far different. I am not talking about just being a shade darker from being wet or anything like that. I am talking about being off the color chart different.

So different is the color, I hate it and want to redo the whole thing just black ... at least that doest not change.

But, before I get too hasty... The missus has a vote (I want to veto that.) she wants to keep it like it is. But what do you guys think about the look?

Here is the process of the driftwood root build:


Here you can see the set-up for foaming the brass.

In this shot you can see the foam expanding over the brass. Notice the brown colored pigment. It’s nearly the color of the root. Maybe a little darker but the root will get darker when wet. Or so goes the logic.

A final shot before sinking (two days later). The brass is completely enclosed in the foam.

And now for the DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

THE IN TANK SHOTS.


First the full view in the tank. It is the same driftwood root.

Now for a close-up shot to see the battleship grey. The color did not leach out. it was an instant change as soon as I put it in the water. And it changes back when I take it out even without drying off or anything. It is light effect on the foam … never saw that coming.

Another shot of the battleship grey.

I really don’t care much for it … I guess I could get used to it. But it is not what I had envisioned when I started the driftwood root project. One other thing, I also think it is a little too large, but could work out OK If the color was right.

Your opinions are needed …

Thanks for your support.

Best wishes,
Wes

 

[wespastor]

Almost 12 hours and no comment??

Help!!!!!

:feedback:

Thanks for looking.

Best wishes,
Wes

 

[Lillyan]

It looks like concrete like that, very unnatural. I would trim it and color it brown.

 

[wespastor]

It looks like concrete like that, very unnatural. I would trim it and color it brown.

If you look at the Pix b4 submerging it is brown and is slightlky darker than the Driftwood / Root. I would have thoufht that the that the wood would get darker (And it did during some float tests earlier). Any explanations on that?

Yeah, I hate the look myself.

Thank for the thoughts

Best wishes,
Wes

 

[mellowvision]

gotta say, for all the time and money spent to change this piece of wood, you could have got a more suitable piece. I don't really think it's "driftwood"... it appears to have bark on it... and really, brass is not suitable for an aquarium environment, regardless of it's resistance to corrosion. personally I would not use this in my tank.

 

[wespastor]

gotta say, for all the time and money spent to change this piece of wood, you could have got a more suitable piece. I don't really think it's "driftwood"... it appears to have bark on it... and really, brass is not suitable for an aquarium environment, regardless of it's resistance to corrosion. personally I would not use this in my tank.

For what its worth ...

I spent nearly nothing ...

 

[froggsong]

I recommend that you do a test piece (or test a bit of the piece that's there) and carve the foam some to remove the skin, which is probably what is reflecting and making it look off-color (and you're right! That a TOTALLY different color!). With the skin removed, the foam will absorb water and shouldn't reflect the light that way.

Now, here is the issue with this. Most expanding foams are petroleum based. With the proper cure time, I have personally used expanding foam underwater with no leeching, but it's possible that your's might. So, if you try this, don't stick it back in your tank to check it. Flush it with water in the sink or tub, then put it underwater in something you can see through to see if it is still that grey color. If the color is good, carve the foam on the log to the shape you want, flush it again, then soak it overnight or so and then put it in your aquarium. I think that carving it will also make the shape look more natural.

 

[wespastor]

So I have got a few things to finish on this canopy. I am now post surgery and looks like I will be in this errector set for about two years.

Anyway, back to the canopy ...

I will want to paint the inside gloss white ...

Should I use oil base paint or spray enamel paint in gloss white?

Thanks for lookin'

Best wishes,
Wes

 

[wespastor]

I recommend that you do a test piece (or test a bit of the piece that's there) and carve the foam some to remove the skin, which is probably what is reflecting and making it look off-color (and you're right! That a TOTALLY different color!). With the skin removed, the foam will absorb water and shouldn't reflect the light that way.

Now, here is the issue with this. Most expanding foams are petroleum based. With the proper cure time, I have personally used expanding foam underwater with no leeching, but it's possible that your's might. So, if you try this, don't stick it back in your tank to check it. Flush it with water in the sink or tub, then put it underwater in something you can see through to see if it is still that grey color. If the color is good, carve the foam on the log to the shape you want, flush it again, then soak it overnight or so and then put it in your aquarium. I think that carving it will also make the shape look more natural.

Noted .. and I will take it under advisement.

Best wishes,
Wes