The expanding foam I put in to build a new tank split a seem. I knew I should have sealed it first but alas I did not. Is there a way to fix without destroying the background or should I rip it all down and go in with the silicone. Rookie mistake I just made there 😫
Am I cooked?
by LunarToast7
2 Comments
Bummer! What type of foam were you using? I use a lot of the stuff in construction and some definitely has massively expanding potential, some of it won’t push as hard. As you probably know now, it only takes a little to fill up the space.
I’d definitely cut it out and go for a redo with fresh silicone. Acetone or another solvent unfortunately, will melt whatever is left on the glass that you couldn’t pull off. I’ve been using temporary plastic to line my glass, the foam won’t bond to the plastic. That allows me to take the foam out and modify it if I need to without having to work in the enclosure. Also comes out easily if I want to do a reset in the future.
Edit: is it the silicone AND the glass that are destroyed? I see badly…
Seal:
No choice, you have to remove the decor… I would advise you to completely remove the joints to start on a good base rather than covering them 😕 No point in removing everything either, unless the exterior is affected…
Although a square with silicone on the outside could be a solution too 🤔
Is that what she uses the terrarium for?
Cracked window:
Personally I would take the risk and put glass plates (2-3mm) with silicone all over, a little bigger than your cracks (too bad if it goes beyond the edges) and stick to the back if you don’t want to touch the decor. You can also put a metal plate (or a corner L) and araldite (two-component epoxy glue) on the cracks in the same way.
It’s going to be hard to remove this without destroying the seals, you’ll also have to redo them if in doubt…
Another solution if you break the decor, knock down the wall and put in another (plexiglass/glass/mesh/poly).
I used to collect old aqua/terra, for a while, to put wire mesh on them instead (economical and easy) and make an insect or chameleon terrarium (for resale).
In any case, between the costs and the time it’s not really profitable… Except for its experience 😉 It will surely be cheaper to find a second-hand terrarium if you count your hourly time and the equipment 😁 Especially since a priori you have never done it 😕