Habitat - Indoor :: Styrofoam Backgrounds?

[Xercoy]

Hi everyone, I'm in the early stages of starting to play around with tank enclosures. I'm exploring different filtration and cosmetic options, which is where my problem lies. I've seen videos of people who have created backgrounds out of Styrofoam by cutting it and painting it. I would like to try this, but I'm very concerned as to how the styrofoam and chemicals will affect the turtles. Right now, there's a plain white background of the wall. If anyone does find this dangerous, what creative solutions have you found? Lastly, thank you for the time!

[vear]

Wow! I'm in the process of making my very first styrofoam project! However, it's for my gecko, so it's in a dry set up. Hmm... I'm not sure how you would go about making one for an aquarium. Obviously, make sure everything you use is nontoxic. What are you coating the styrofoam with? Whatever it is would probably then need to be sealed with something "aquarium safe". You should do a google search, you'll probably be able to find the various products people use.

Sorry I wasn't much help, I just got excited because I'm in process of completing my first project and it was a lot of fun.

[steve]

I don't think people use styrofoam materials that go in the water with their RES. RES can be quite destructive when they want to be.

[Xercoy]

Thanks a lot for the thoughts, Steve and Vear. I have decided to try and make a background out of cork bark. Since some RES owners have made some basking areas, I was thinking of finding a plastic board to glue some cork bark to, hopefully it'll work. Of course, the adhesive I will be using will definitely be aquarium safe!I appreciate the time everyone, really!

[steve]

Sure thing, hope you post pictures once it's done

[gdesigner]

People do use sorts of foam boarding for their turtle tanks and use something called "drylock" which is a type of paint that protects from chemicals and I think hardens the shell. I saw someone make an extravagant "3D background" as they are called, on a 175 gallon tank. It was beautiful, do some more research and you will find people who have done this. Try searching for "3D Background in turtle tank", and you should find something.