I decided to make some decor for my early stages axie tank (no axies yet).
Partly because I'm a cheapskate (who doesn't value his time), partly because I had a bit of a vision for a natural environment.
I did a lot of research and there are many web pages and forum threads out there about the general idea that you can construct rock-like decor by taking polystyrene, carving it roughly to shape, covering in a grout mixture (or cement) which may be coloured and/or painted over, then sealing with a pond sealant (G4 and Blagdon V8 being the most common).
So I followed that plan and have been creating some rock formations. Carved the polystyrene, painted watery grout mixtures in various colours/consistencies, with a bit of acrylic paint in the mix. Ended up with something I was moderately happy with, and started to paint on the G4 sealant.
This is what you need to know and I have read nowhere else:
G4 EATS POLYSTYRENE
In my case I think I got away with it as the only exposed polystyrene was a small area in the centre of the base of each piece, and the odd deep recess where the grout/paint had not reached.
First coat of G4 has eroded all those, but I think I have salvaged the situation by subsequently adding a grout/paint layer to those areas - and any other little niches I can see - I think new layers over G4 will work over that.
But it would have been MUCH easier just to make sure everything had at least some kind of layer of grout to start with. G4 seems to be very much about sealing cement/grout type surfaces so is much happier with that kind of surface to sit on.
I hope this helps someone.
Partly because I'm a cheapskate (who doesn't value his time), partly because I had a bit of a vision for a natural environment.
I did a lot of research and there are many web pages and forum threads out there about the general idea that you can construct rock-like decor by taking polystyrene, carving it roughly to shape, covering in a grout mixture (or cement) which may be coloured and/or painted over, then sealing with a pond sealant (G4 and Blagdon V8 being the most common).
So I followed that plan and have been creating some rock formations. Carved the polystyrene, painted watery grout mixtures in various colours/consistencies, with a bit of acrylic paint in the mix. Ended up with something I was moderately happy with, and started to paint on the G4 sealant.
This is what you need to know and I have read nowhere else:
G4 EATS POLYSTYRENE
In my case I think I got away with it as the only exposed polystyrene was a small area in the centre of the base of each piece, and the odd deep recess where the grout/paint had not reached.
First coat of G4 has eroded all those, but I think I have salvaged the situation by subsequently adding a grout/paint layer to those areas - and any other little niches I can see - I think new layers over G4 will work over that.
But it would have been MUCH easier just to make sure everything had at least some kind of layer of grout to start with. G4 seems to be very much about sealing cement/grout type surfaces so is much happier with that kind of surface to sit on.
I hope this helps someone.
