Hypertufa backing for terrarium

[ikwill]

Has anyone tried to make an hypertufa backing for your terrarium?

Last year,I've tried eggshell,it worked but too much wasted space and it looked downright unnatural so,I'm trying to come up with a new idea..

Thanks in advance.

[vjo]

I don't know but it sure looks interesting... Jean

[Paul]

Weight might be an issue. Are you planning on making the tufa directly on the back glass or are you going to make a tufa background fitted for that area and attach it to the glass? (The former method does have the disadvantage that if you later change your mind and wish to remove it, you likely won't be able to do so.)

Many folks will use an expanding foam like GreatStuff. It has the advantage of being lightweight and can be carved quite easily when is partly (but not fully) cured. After curing, it typically is covered with silicone or grout. Before the silicone has fully cured, it can be covered or impregnated with bark, peat, sand ... whatever will provide the look you are aiming for.

[ikwill]

Hi Paul,

I have tried GreatStuff when I first time set up the terrarium and failed miserably. I don't know exactly what I did wrong but I could not get it to stick to the glass even after 3 attempts, I tried to glue parts that were falling apart with Gorilla Tough glue and it still fell apart. I was using the fast setting type of Great Stuff,so that may have been the problem as well as my exo terra is the X tall kind and it is 36" tall.

I saw someone who made a huge tomato planter using Hypertufa and it was so light that can be picked up with one hand and that gave me the idea of trying it for the terrarium. I was hoping to make a wood molding for backing with basin area that can be taken out to clean the terrarium. Once it is in a mold,I suppose I can weight it to see if it will be too heavy to use it in a glass bottom.

[Paul]

Would like to see that tomato planter.

You may not have given it enough time to fully cure if it was falling apart. Though I have never done it, you could try using eggcrate for the backing. Apply the GreatStuff directly to it so it becomes completely embedded in the GS. Then, if necessary, you could use a series of hooks through the crate to secure the upper edge of the backdrop.

[ikwill]

Hi Paul,

I used egg crate last year,it was fine but I keep looking at videos of gorgeous orchid terrariums on youtube and wishing I had some talent to create similar effect with waterfalls and all other bells and whistles.

[ikwill]

Found a site that gives a step by step instructions on backgrounds and I see why my backing kept falling apart. Watching all the videos,none suggested using an aquarium grade silicone usage prior to applying Great Stuff..I will give it a try with silicone first approach this time.