PVA Background problems

[gundog100]

Hi everyone, I have done a foam background and coated with silicone and last Friday I added a PVA, water and coco earth mixture on top of the silicone, it has taken a week to dry (and still isnt dry) and I have now noticed its cracking and is not sticking very well, I am getting so annoyed wit hthis now its taking so long, has anyone else ever had this happen and has anyone got any suggestions please? I am thinking of pulling it all off and just using the silicone on view as the plants and moss will hopefully cover it in time anyway?

Any ideas would be great.........

[Cindy Dicken]

Gundog,
What is PVA?

[gundog100]

Its a type of glue, I think it stands for polyvinyl acetate. It's white in colour and I have seen a lot of other people use this mix -

This is the stuff http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.j ... earch=true

Product Description

B&Q multi purpose PVA is a multi purpose adhesive, sealer, primer and bonding agent for adhering most common building and craft materials to themselves or each other.
Product Features

Capacity (Litres): 1
Brand: B&Q
Basic chemical care info: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth or food stuff. Remove splashes to skin with soap and water. See label for more information.
Usage: Shake well before use, The substrate must be sound, so carefully examine the surface and remove all flaking and cracking paint, plaster etc.
Manuf part no: 125416
Product Type: Chemicals
Specific Product Type: PVA

Additional Information

Excellent sealer for plaster/plasterboard
Minimises dust

[Cindy Dicken]

Sounds like it is similar to the Weldbond we use of here.

http://www.weldbondusa.com/

I couldn't find the MSDS on the Weldbond.


When using Weldbond it can take 2-3 weeks to throughly dry, and it will also crack to where it will need touching up.
I would say to give it some time, and touch up as necessary.
You could put a fan on it to help dry it quicker, but that will probably increase the cracking.

[gundog100]

Thanks Cindy, its such a pain, I dont really know why everyone uses this method if I had the chance again I would use tree fern panels, so much easier and cheaper.
Cheers for your help

[dendromom]

Thanks Cindy, its such a pain, I dont really know why everyone uses this method if I had the chance again I would use tree fern panels, so much easier and cheaper.
Cheers for your help

Sometimes the tree fern panels can poke or damage a frog's skin, so ideally you want to get a good plant base and moss growing on it for the most part before introducing the frogs to the tank