Tip for future foam projects, when applying foam in a thicker amount like you did here, a few hours into the cure you can use a stick/skewer etc to poke holes all over the foam. It allows air to get inside and cure a lot more of the foam! Worked wonders for me and i had foam 5 inches thick at least!
@zach.56153 жыл бұрын
where can i buy the foam?
@OfficialRandomGaming3 жыл бұрын
@@zach.5615 usually Walmart or any hardware store
@zach.56153 жыл бұрын
@@OfficialRandomGaming ty
@verdations5313 жыл бұрын
Do you know the safest foam to use?
@ZaDussault3 жыл бұрын
@@verdations531 "Great stuff" at home depot is the most frequently used one I think
@ChaosTheory6666 жыл бұрын
Oh *gods* , the *SMELL* ! Why didn't anyone warn me the silicone would *SMELL* ?! The vinegar smell pierces my very *SOUL* someone please help me, *gods* why!
@ifunk796 жыл бұрын
haha.. embrace the buzz
@misosweetakatiffer67245 жыл бұрын
It's the worse with clear silicone the white isn't ad bad
@14mirjam5 жыл бұрын
I was surprised to find that my silicone didn't smell as strong as I expected after reading this comment !
@themalaymenagerie33505 жыл бұрын
Haha just now I understand what you said! 😂
@ninja_wolfofficial5 жыл бұрын
The clear is so strong smelling. The black is way different lol
@davidmistoffelees84595 жыл бұрын
Put a layer of silicone down on the background and let it cure; then, use the foam. When you're done, you can cut the silicone around the contours of the foam background and peel away the excess. This provides a neater look. You can also make a "side cave" in the foam that butts against the glass. The frogs will hide in it (we know frogs love feeling like they are going behind the background) and you can still view them. Cover the area of the glass with a flap of black paper so they think they are hidden :)
@fatjohny10095 жыл бұрын
Great Stuff now makes a black Pond expanding foam. Made for ponds. Works great in an aquarium.
@ey86484 жыл бұрын
Peels of too easily
@jennyk16217 жыл бұрын
I binge watched all of your videos, then I watched them all over again. Everything is perfect, the voice, your eloquence, video quality, clarity of your instructions. I am also amazed how such a young person is truly passionate about nature, so appreciative about even simplest things like a type of grass growing in your own backyard. You are incredibly talented. You deserve more than just a million followers on KZfaq, you deserve your own show on TV like National Geographic or something like that.
@Jeremy20697 жыл бұрын
I highly recommend the "Pond and Stone" Great Stuff. It's black so you don't need to paint over the regular yellowish great stuff.
@DraconisMarchVII4 жыл бұрын
Can that stuff take the place of the EVA foam in this video? Is it cutable?
@Francesca-jz1vq4 жыл бұрын
If you cut/carve that foam and don’t put the silicone sealer over it, does the now cut/carved foam stay waterproof or is it now going to absorb water and mold?
@Jeremy20694 жыл бұрын
it's easily cutable. Just use a razor blade. It will not absorb water so you won't need to worry about mold.
@lydiadefeis21704 жыл бұрын
@@Jeremy2069 Can you just sprinkle the coco fiber onto the pond and stone? or did you just leave it with no coco fiber on it and just press the bark into it
@Jeremy20694 жыл бұрын
@@lydiadefeis2170 i added a brown silicon glue after the pond and stone was cured. Then I sprinkled coco fiber and other crap everywhere.
@amandawelch91257 жыл бұрын
I have always liked watching naturalistic tank builds. I haven't had any critters to try such a tropical habitat. I would love to see your take on a naturalistic desert habitat, to see how you would deal with the restrictions in materials due to the high temperatures the habitat would need.
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
I might do it some day, there are some desert dwellers that I would like to add to my collection.
@sdqsdq62747 жыл бұрын
you dont really need critters to try out , its just building a indoor forest , and grow plants
@janankhan32357 жыл бұрын
Amanda Welch yeah would be great to see a desert type or something like that for a Uromastyx
@mineteamproductions326 Жыл бұрын
I love how you show creative solutions to problems for people without fancy tools! Great series :)
@billyvillacis99757 жыл бұрын
Very interesting aesthetics! I was unsure of the front leaning driftwood, but it turned out quite nicely! I can't wait to see what it'll look like completed.
@billjohnson88307 жыл бұрын
I've done many vivariums using this method over the years. Another more permanent way to hide the great stuff from showing would be to coat the inside back and sides with silicone before applying the great stuff foam. Obviously this adds to the build time but works much better than painting glass. It also gives the foam a much better surface to adhere to vs glass.
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
I think it would be much harder to achieve the same amount of definition on the background that way, but I like the idea. I did mention about putting silicone on the glass in the beginning though. Mine are over 5 years old and they are still working great, without applying silicone to the back.
@billjohnson88307 жыл бұрын
No, it won;t affect the definition of the background. It's just extra prep work before applying foam for a cleaner look from the outside.
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Fair enough, maybe I will give it a try some day.
@juliek76507 жыл бұрын
I'm researching to start my first vivarium. Would it be possible to turn a piece of natural cork tile to the outside and then building the background?
@HUNTENMASTA13377 жыл бұрын
when you apply silicone on the glass before the foam, do you have to let the silicone cure first, then add the foam after its cured? or do you apply silicone to the glass and then start foaming right away?
@bec11mort7 жыл бұрын
Very helpful, thank you! I'm building my first viv background and it was great to see all of the steps in fast motion. Great video!
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Nice! I try to show the entire process, so that nothing is missed.
@louismonkeybusinessswanepo51617 жыл бұрын
Nice video, try covering the wood with either foil or cling wrap, the foil will help prevent the foam from sticking to the wood past the point where you want the foam, and silicone does not adhere to cling wrap so might help to cover as much of the excess wood as possible in cling wrap before silicone'ing the background normal masking tape should help with this
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
I can dig it, good idea!
@ryanlogsdon29512 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this video! Very well explained! I am watching all your videos pertaining to creating your own vivarium, starting with the tank conversion. Me and my husband are getting my daughter a crested gecko for her birthday and I am SO EXCITED to create an awesome enclosure for him before we bring him home! I have always wanted to create my own terrariums! I look forward to watching some of your other videos! After much research and watching many other videos on making my own vivarium, yours was absolutely the best one I’ve watched! Tysm for your videos! Amazing work!
@11SEXMACHINE6 жыл бұрын
Anybody else watching the fish in the background swimming at warp speed?
@drikaweb5 жыл бұрын
I saw! 😀
@victorc99874 жыл бұрын
Thats because he accelerated the video..i guess you were joking, right? 🤣🤣
@byrn5 жыл бұрын
Black contact paper (shelf liner) is much easier and quicker than painting to hide the foam. It also does a decent job covering those small gaps that need something flexible enough to let the door/lid open.
@Moot_toot2 жыл бұрын
I tell ya this guy has the biggest, most creative brain.
@TheSoilBar Жыл бұрын
I’ve been watching your videos for years. And they’re always awesome.
@andywalsh4577 Жыл бұрын
One of the best tutorials I’ve watched yet. 👍🏼
@megnorman11527 жыл бұрын
Great job! Most thorough and informational tutorial out there. Thanks for including all the build costs!
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@Damdodi7 жыл бұрын
OMG I START TODAY PUT IN THE FOAM AND I DID NOT USE THE GLOBES OMMGGGGGGGG MY HEANDS ARE A MISSSSSSS HAHAHAHAHHA BUT MEN LET ME TELL U THIS AGAIN, YOU ARE THE BEST. THANKS IM ABOUT TO FINISH THE PROJECT
@paulr25595 жыл бұрын
honestly, I'm from the future and his technique has changed
@allisonbaileranderson75356 жыл бұрын
My daughter says you are a very good youtuber and your voice is very soothing. She's 9. Lol.
@PunkRockBarbie5 жыл бұрын
Shes not wrong lol
@creaturefeatureireland97625 жыл бұрын
♡♡♡
@YTCheeks3 жыл бұрын
one of the only channels where I watch the ads ;)
@YeahIWrestledaBear7 жыл бұрын
Wow this channel is a hidden gem, keep up the great videos!
@katealexandria56646 жыл бұрын
My fiance and I love your channel! Great videos, great voice :D Thanks for all the helpful information you give out! :)
@howtostepDNB2 жыл бұрын
That fishing line trick is genius
@SUPATWIN17 жыл бұрын
dude I freaking love you man. Your videos are the best!!! i am a huge fan and i find myself watching and learning from you every day!! I can't wait to start doing this. you are amazing, thank you so much for taking the time to do this for us. i really appreciate your videos and time man. i hope to network with you in the future and definitely get in touch with you on future projects. keep up the great work!!
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Best of luck to your future endeavors and hopefully I will hear about them.
@SUPATWIN17 жыл бұрын
SerpaDesign thank you Brother!
@michellegobel28205 жыл бұрын
I’m creating my very first vivarium because of your awesome videos!! Thank you for all the info!!!
@petworldeducation7 жыл бұрын
You are my favorite KZfaqr! 😍 Your videos are very useful for those who are at first weapons‼️
@ArTicKiiTTiiNs7 жыл бұрын
Amazing video as always. I'm a big fan and can't wait to see what you have for us in the future. I'm actually in the Tarantula hobby myself but watching these videos really helps with enclosure ideas and really gets the creative juices flowing. I plan on making a living enclosure for one of my tropical species. I'll be sure to let you know when its done to show you what you have inspired ^__^
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Thank you I appreciate the encouragement. I'm glad that you enjoyed this demonstration as well. I'm interested to see what you come up with as well. That's a territory that I will probably never enter haha!
@rachelsamuel24877 жыл бұрын
Really enjoying these videos! I just wanted to make a suggestion that you don't have to use enamel to paint the sides, you can use regular acrylic paint too.
@rodrigomafra16453 жыл бұрын
thank you I enjoyed it, you are so creative and masterful, your calming voice is so good
@ltz157 жыл бұрын
Keep on with the videos :) I hope you get more recognition real soon ! Really good videos, with passion and straight forward :)
@katheryncox28152 жыл бұрын
Tip for those who are doing this 5 years later for the 1st time. If you have long hair make sure you put it up. Without realizing it you may get insulation foam in your hair 😓.
@xMindPrintsx7 жыл бұрын
Another great video! I was wondering how you would cover up the sides and then you provided a solution. Please keep up these fantastic videos!
@abuzdream3 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir 🙏 you are simply talented , creative and informative always ✌️✌️✌️
@ninatobin83176 жыл бұрын
I plan on doing this for my garder snake encloser, thxs for the tutorial, it helped alot
@anthonyperasso63767 жыл бұрын
Dude your videos are great!!! Thanks for the ideas! and the Steps!!!
@pedrobartolomei11307 жыл бұрын
excellent video i was searching in youtube and no one explains it this well ( sorry if i say something wrong my native language is spanish lol)
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Thank you and you're typing (speaking) better than some English speaking people that comment on here haha!
@nathanberthiaume13173 жыл бұрын
Got it, fill tank with foam and then painstakingly scrape it all out 👍
@AdventureIndiana2 жыл бұрын
You have a creative mind! I dig it!
@Halaster5 жыл бұрын
I managed to do what I needed with the Great Stuff, but working with silicone was a nightmare. I tried a bunch of different types and NONE seem to flow like what you are showing in the video. They are all very thick, not thin like paint. It turned the silicone portion of the job from something fairly quick into something that takes days and multiple passes.
@darkcyberdyne5 жыл бұрын
Your videos are badass man along with your work 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
@GiveMeAReason827 жыл бұрын
Did u serisouly just use the supply register to raise the height of ur driftwood?!?! Hahahha effing genius bro!!!!!!!!!
@fortnightxd7901Күн бұрын
I have a gorgeous piece of flat driftwood I've been saving for years lol Maybe it's time I used it in something like this. I have barking tree frogs who are in a temporary basic 5 gallon bioactive tank for now. I've been working on their permanent home but I want it to be perfect 😅
@fortnightxd7901Күн бұрын
I want also want them to give me babies so that's another reason I'm taking so much time building the perfect enclosure 😂
@sbwetherbe7 жыл бұрын
Love your videos. Very creative and inspiring. Always fascinating.
@hilaryallen707710 ай бұрын
This video is brilliant. Thank you so much ❤️
@Capti3N7 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! I'm definitely gonna be doing this in my next set up 👌🏻
@michaelgiacomazzi67354 жыл бұрын
Why Is your silicone so liquid? I can't use a brush with mine 😭
@madfishdiva6 жыл бұрын
Another amazing project. I’m going to build one this Fall.
@ey86484 жыл бұрын
I'd love it if you could make a ghostwood background, or a pvc pipe tree root background.
@gavinjung80926 жыл бұрын
Why does the foam look so fucking delishious
@Aaron482194 жыл бұрын
Use food grade silicone, same as aquarium grade, but generally cheaper. I wouldn't use normal hardware store silicone.
@jessiecorceles63176 жыл бұрын
I liked it saves a whole lot for substrates !
@dutcharcher866 жыл бұрын
Great video man, plan on using this for my next millipede tank
@I2hate2you2all17 жыл бұрын
Hey, I love your videos and I was wondering if you could do a tutorial for an all fungi terrarium. Ive seen some tutorials for this but they always seem to use as little mushrooms as possible. keep up the great work
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Yes I will at some point. I have a live culture of panellus stipticus that I will use at some point for such a project.
@joshg63183 жыл бұрын
When I was in 5th grade I used that foam in an egg drop contest. Me and my friend didn’t know it would be stuck to us so we panicked and told my mom. She was laughing and gave us acetone on a cotton to pick at the pieces. It came off and then we washed our hands with dish soap. So learn from my experience do wear gloves if you don’t just get a bit of acetone and dish soap.
@gaminggangster41517 жыл бұрын
good information about the tank and it is so cool and natural.😎
@chrispowell29996 жыл бұрын
When you smeared the foam on the glass I'm screaming ahhh the cringe😲😲😲. Then i see the subtitles and calmed down. Lol
@caketinvaughan5 жыл бұрын
Hello! I have loved your videos for years and go back to them regularly. Whilst I've been pondering my next project, I seem to have hit a bit of a brick wall. I was hoping you'd maybe be able to help me! I basically want to put my African Giant Land Snails and their custodians into a large fish tank as a bit of an upgrade and really want to go all out and create a brilliant and natural habitat for them. However, my question is: would creating a custom background like what you've done yourself in this video, even be safe for my snails? I can't seem to find much valid information for whether or not any of these products will harm them in any way. If it is unfortunate enough that they will not be able to have a DIY background like this, what alternative products would you recommend or do you think I should steer clear all together? Thanks for reading and all the best Tanner 😊👍 -Cait
@Trouncy823 жыл бұрын
Have you done an updated version of this series of videos? It seems you have changed how you do somethings over the past few years.
@MeetMarmaduke5 жыл бұрын
Serpa, thanks for the inspiration. I used your spray foam/silicone/coir method to sculpt the custom vivarium for my bearded dragon! We love it so much!!! If you have any time, I'd love it if you watched my build video and posted any suggestions/feedback you may have (click my channel to see it, I swear this isn't spam haha). He's going to need an upgrade in size soon, and I think I'll be using something a little more sturdy to sculpt it, like carved styrofoam coated with grout/clay. My dragon climbs all over the background more than I expected and his little nails are scratching it up. But the foam/silicone/coir looks great, so I'm going to try to emulate it with other materials. Thanks again!
@jamesbryan16446 жыл бұрын
Man !, thank you SO MUCH for posting this vid. So very helpful.
@brandonhoffman47122 жыл бұрын
Less permanent option. Plasti-dip. Ahhh the age of technology!
@regp56 жыл бұрын
How long did it take for the silicone smell to go away?
@mariettemacdonald76836 жыл бұрын
r3g5 wondering the same thing! Mine has been outside in the sun for 3 days now and it’s not going away!!
@regp55 жыл бұрын
Mariette Macdonald turns out it depends on temp, humidity, and air flow. Took mine 3 days of it sitting with a fan pointed at it to clear the smell but it can take up to a week
@ashleighwilliamson79946 жыл бұрын
All the videos I watch on here I can not find any UK versions of products used unsure what is safe
@Chorizofingers3252 жыл бұрын
Did you ever have issues with the foam peeling away from the glass? I’m doing a vertical one as well and have seen this issue pop up in forums when the background is planted in and weighted the foam peels away from the glass, just wondering if it’s a potential future issue
@airysquared2 жыл бұрын
New England Herpetoculture suggests putting in a layer of black silicone first before doing anything else when making a background to help prevent this issue.
@victortrejo64094 жыл бұрын
Excentes videos!! Un saludo desde Chihuahua México!!
@FloridaWildlife5 жыл бұрын
Building the same thing for my Leopard Geckos ! TY for all the info!
@ellaperkins68062 жыл бұрын
I love the idea of putting the planters in the background! What plants have you found work best in them? I’m doing a build for a friend and I’d like to do a similar viv for myself at some point!
@ZokomoTV4 жыл бұрын
Sweet guide Tanner!
@Arlet113695 жыл бұрын
Dont know why but when you turned the enclosure @ 9:34, that reminded me of the game "oddworld" 👉😂
@sinesty4 жыл бұрын
How do you clean the background?
@Agispsi17 күн бұрын
Why not use black foam to avoid having to paint the glasd and so that foam that shows through is not a problem?
@ncksnydr7 жыл бұрын
This channel is absolutely incredible. You're very informative, great at instruction, and have really good editing. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you out. Also: where in the Philly-area are you from? Your accent makes me homesick.
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I am actually from Pittsburgh, but I did recently go to Philly for a business trip.
@ncksnydr7 жыл бұрын
Ha! You sure don't sound like a Yinzer, but I won't hold that against you.
@SerpaDesign7 жыл бұрын
Nick Snyder Which cheese steak do you prefer?
@ncksnydr7 жыл бұрын
If you're going for the main three: Jim's, then Pat's, then Geno's. My personal pick is Steak Em' Up on 11th and Shunk. However, I say bypass the cheesesteak and go straight for the roast pork sandwich at DiNic's in Reading Terminal Market. Slow-roasted pork on a hoagie roll with provolone and topped with broccoli rabe. And as far as Pittsburgh is concerned: I ADORE Squirrel Hill. It's a really great little hood. Also, I tell everyone that PNC Park is the most beautiful ballpark I've ever been to-and I've been to quite a few.
@Megarobotsquadron Жыл бұрын
that music really sounds like David Bowie's Heroes
@lamlam5212 жыл бұрын
That's an awesome tutorial video!! Btw wondering if you can provide us some tips on how to clean this naturalistic DIY enclosure if we aren't doing bioactive??
@GippyHappy6 жыл бұрын
Why don't you put stuff under the foam so you don't have to use so much?
@waverindarkness33853 жыл бұрын
I just used 2 cans of great stuff on my 20 gallon tank... am I hecked?!
@NilsAlbertsson5 жыл бұрын
*The BEST METHOD for hiding the foam on the sides, is to paint black silicone onto the INSIDE of the vivarium sides, on the bits where you intend to "foam" - let it dry before foaming... Cut the excess off with the flat blade, in the same way you did here, after foaming and coating with your substrate material.* *This is the method I use, and if applied properly (without gaps), it gives a perfect, full, smooth black effect that looks professional and clean.*
@deepjoes10726 жыл бұрын
What do you keep in that enclosure? An aboreal tarantula?
@saltytears47113 жыл бұрын
Okay so how do make it not stink? I followed this video and my tank smells like chemicals SOOOO bad
@nwbea76 Жыл бұрын
@Serpa great video! Motivated me to make my first one. Question thought after 2 hours I dropped the loose soil and some of the silicon spots where I first applied when I started the phase must of dried a little to much, so the soil didn't adhere to well. What do you recommend. Should I shave it then reapply silicone to the specific area or just deal?
@Iremember2forget4 ай бұрын
I have a 20 gallon hexagon column tank that I’m looking not to add a background to but a central pillar too. Do you think the great stuff would be strong enough to secure it at the base? Do you think I can just use branches with foam and pots or should I have some underlying structure? Any advice would be greatly appreciated 💚
@leesapollo2 жыл бұрын
Looks great! I wonder how I could use the expanding foam on my screened reptibreeze chameleon enclosure?
@matthewmak76447 жыл бұрын
great vid ! Should we ever worry about bacteria populating in the foam ? or are we making such an environment that theres constant breakdown of wastes and by-products by the ecosystem that its only a real concern if we let faces sit and soil the enclosure? Im thinking of keeping a chameleon in a vivarium like setting. Obviously id be removing feces as i see them. Thank you for your input.
@volcanixthanksyoufortheviewz3 ай бұрын
Have you ever had the foam break the glass while expanding? And should I just use GS cracks and gaps and then cover it with GS pond and tank to make it dark? Im making a paludarium for vampire crabs out of a 10 gallon.
@mitchsreptiles2087 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this Video i just made my First background ever Subbed!
@jamesmartin49025 жыл бұрын
You can also us black pond foam instead and you wouldn't have to have the mess of painting or using the colored silicone.
@arnehefer57494 жыл бұрын
Can I do this underwater, like in a aquarium? Or something similar?
@ordinarybread3 жыл бұрын
Yes.
@yosymitiesam17 жыл бұрын
You're right, it's easy to over think. To that point, I'm surprised this is the first time I've seen silicone used as the sealant. It seems such a simple solution. Can it be used in waterfall areas? I know it's in the tank, but these are thinner layers with running water. Thoughts?
@lewissmith62116 жыл бұрын
Hi beautiful background and looks amazing is just what I'm after. Quick question if you could please please answer I'm thinking about putting a boa constrictor in mine so what would happen if he decides to go to the toilet all over the background how would you clean it or is it even possible? Thanks
@Arlet113695 жыл бұрын
No mold will grow in between the silicone? Or foam?
@nickgamble45445 жыл бұрын
Who cares molds natural
@bigricardofuego45875 жыл бұрын
Only if You use Coconut Soil and Plan to Plant in the Silicone.
@Heinrich117 жыл бұрын
one of the best design !
@sasquatchdonut2674 Жыл бұрын
My glass is so smeared due to the silicone lol. Tried to clean it off but it doesn’t wanna come off. Any tips on this?
@tickytacky8078 Жыл бұрын
Acetone,paint thinner, goof off, mineral spirits
@benjaminblankenship980 Жыл бұрын
Razor blade
@karloskampos347 жыл бұрын
awesome video man, totally helped! just one thing, o bought the exact g&e silicone your using, and was curious about the mold-free factor in it... i found through research that its is a type of silicone that expels some time of amonia that is suposed to kill mold and fungus, thus making it unsafe for live natural vivariums and can be deadly for amphibians and fish. the same brand also offeres a safer alternative silicone 1. (only comes in clear and white) the one you used is silicone 2 (offers diferent colors but has mold free additives)
@tommie8272 жыл бұрын
Good to note. I don't want to add any toxins and am having a hard time figuring out what to use. Different people recommend different products. Some people use Styrofoam and it messes with the endocrine system. We cannot see the problems it causes our pets, but it does cause problems for them.
@chriswalton43123 жыл бұрын
This is awesome! Got a question though. Could cypress be used instead of orchids bark?
@donde1984 Жыл бұрын
This is exactly what I was looking for thank you. What brand of silicone are you using???????
@danielbruce30903 жыл бұрын
Is it normal for expanding foam to still smell a bit like chemicals after drying for 4 days of drying?
@somthingexoticpetsandaquat66597 жыл бұрын
hi there I love these ideas but I have a question... how and what lighting do you use? does lighting just shine through the glass or do you actually put the light in side the enclosure? thank you so much I am always enjoyong your vidios