LIght fake rock - floating island - non stick foam ??

[sharon]

Color me loopy! That is a fantastic link for the DIY floating island! I've often thought of the various stuff available in HomeDepot that I could use for my animals. I figured the expanding foam would be AWESOME for lots of projects but I didn't know who to ask whether or not I could use it in a terrarium or aquarium setup!

I found a link a while back for DIY fake rock...
LINK: http://www.geocities.com/tnstuttle/cage_info.htm

Does anyone have something easier than that?

I was thinking that if the expanding foam is malleable, why not use tree bark, real rocks, etc to make the "surface" of whatever fake item you care to simulate. BUT how do you keep it from sticking to the item you are using to make an impression?

I'm already thinking of ways to give the foam weight so I can use it in various underwater applications with out adding considerably to the overall weight of the display tank.

I think my hubby has some cans of the foam outside, I should go experiment. I've got mineral oil, cooking oils, sand (although I'd like to find something that would wipe off)....

Thanks guys,
Sharon

 

[kaysie]

What's the toxicity of this stuff? Are chemicals going to leech out of it into the water or environment?

 

[sharon]

I'm sorry I should have referenced the previous link & message...

I got a link from another message on this board for the floating islands..
Link: http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary/islands.html

As I understand it both and all the products are NOT toxic once they have have dried fully.

My question is: If I want to make impressions in the expanding foam, has anyone else used something, an oil or lubricant, that prevented the item used to make the impression, from sticking to the foam?

I'm thinking of trying mineral oil.

Sharon

 

[clarence]

what about saranwrap or wax coating the thing you are using to make the impressions? that should be nonstick and much easier to clean up.