DIY Naturalistic Expanding Foam Vivarium Background (Aquarium to Viv Conversion pt.2A)

Welcome to Part 2A of the 10 gallon aquarium to vivarium miniseries. In this episode I will show you how to make one rendition of a Great Stuff (GS) Foam Naturalistic Background.

As I implied in this video, I will show you how to make upwards of 10 different types of naturalistic vivarium backgrounds. I began with this one because they're relatively easy to make, look great and are cheap!

[OfficialRandomGaming]

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!

[davidmistoffelees]

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 :)

[fatjohny]

Great Stuff now makes a black Pond expanding foam. Made for ponds. Works great in an aquarium.

[jennyk]

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 Youtube, you deserve your own show on TV like National Geographic or something like that.

[Jeremy]

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.

[ChaosTheory]

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!

[billyvillacis]

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.

[mineteamproductions]

I love how you show creative solutions to problems for people without fancy tools! Great series :)

[billjohnson]

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.

[amandawelch]

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.

[becmort]

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!

[ryanlogsdon]

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!

[louismonkeybusinessswanepo]

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

[YeahIWrestledaBear]

Wow this channel is a hidden gem, keep up the great videos!

[SEXMACHINE]

Anybody else watching the fish in the background swimming at warp speed?

[Moot_toot]

I tell ya this guy has the biggest, most creative brain.

[megnorman]

Great job! Most thorough and informational tutorial out there. Thanks for including all the build costs!

[allisonbaileranderson]

My daughter says you are a very good youtuber and your voice is very soothing. She's 9. Lol.

[katealexandria]

My fiance and I love your channel! Great videos, great voice :D Thanks for all the helpful information you give out! :)

[TheSoilBar]

I’ve been watching your videos for years. And they’re always awesome.