Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

LeeHasCrabs · Post by **LeeHasCrabs** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 1:47 pm

I’ve been thinking about setting up my 55 gal and what I’m going to do. I love the look of natural environment, especially the look of cork bark backgrounds. My concern is if I siliconed cork bark to the sides that there would get mold or build up (plus it’s a pretty permanent thing unless I heated the sides to melt the silicone).

Would love to hear your opinions and see pics on this and from those who have already done this sort of thing . Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **wodesorel** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:04 pm

You wouldn't need heat to remove it, trying that would crack the glass. Just pry the cork off and use a razor blade to completely remove the silicon.

LeeHasCrabs · Post by **LeeHasCrabs** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:05 pm

wodesorel wrote:You wouldn't need heat to remove it, trying that would crack the glass. Just pry the cork off and use a razor blade to completely remove the silicon.

That’s good to know. Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 4:31 pm

That would look pretty! The down side to it is after time, the hermits will pick at it and it will get plain looking. I switch my cork bark out at least once a year.

That is just me though. I think my isopods help make it look pretty dull too!

LeeHasCrabs · Post by **LeeHasCrabs** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 4:32 pm

GotButterflies wrote:That would look pretty! The down side to it is after time, the hermits will pick at it and it will get plain looking. I switch my cork bark out at least once a year. That is just me though. I think my isopods help make it look pretty dull too!

Another fear of mine. Do you attach yours to the tank or use another method? I just love how natural it looks!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 4:37 pm

No, I don't attach mine using silicone. I usually prop them up, or drill holes and use zip ties.

Post by **wodesorel** » Sun Oct 21, 2018 5:18 pm

In vivarium building, some designers use eggcrate (plastic light diffuser panels) cut to fit the back of their tank, and then will zip tie bark and shelving onto that. So long as it was snug the crabs shouldn't be able to get behind it. Would make it easy to swap out pieces, and you can order zip ties in shades of brown.

ciaraalston · Post by **ciaraalston** » Mon Oct 22, 2018 1:14 am

wodesorel wrote:In vivarium building, some designers use eggcrate (plastic light diffuser panels) cut to fit the back of their tank, and then will zip tie bark and shelving onto that. So long as it was snug the crabs shouldn't be able to get behind it. Would make it easy to swap out pieces, and you can order zip ties in shades of brown.

We have some of that.... Do they silicone the egg crate to the tank or just fit it snugly?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Post by **aussieJJDude** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 2:39 am

ciaraalston wrote:We have some of that.... Do they silicone the egg crate to the tank or just fit it snugly?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Most of the time its just a snug fit... but if you prefer, silicone could be used - quite liberally! - and hope it sticks. Of course, make sure the crabs are out of the tank...

Maybe something like magnets would suit better?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

ciaraalston · Post by **ciaraalston** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 2:49 am

aussieJJDude wrote:
ciaraalston wrote:We have some of that.... Do they silicone the egg crate to the tank or just fit it snugly?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
Most of the time its just a snug fit... but if you prefer, silicone could be used - quite liberally! - and hope it sticks. Of course, make sure the crabs are out of the tank...

Maybe something like magnets would suit better?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

The magnets would be much easier and safer for the crabs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Christian · Post by **Christian** » Fri Oct 26, 2018 6:20 am

GotButterflies wrote:No, I don't attach mine using silicone. I usually prop them up, or drill holes and use zip ties.

What about using the sticky back Velcro strips? You can buy it at hobby stores by the roll, and would make replacement far easier than using silicone...

LeeHasCrabs · Post by **LeeHasCrabs** » Fri Oct 26, 2018 9:10 pm

Christian wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:No, I don't attach mine using silicone. I usually prop them up, or drill holes and use zip ties.
What about using the sticky back Velcro strips? You can buy it at hobby stores by the roll, and would make replacement far easier than using silicone...

Such an obvious and great idea! Thanks!

Christian · Post by **Christian** » Fri Oct 26, 2018 10:11 pm

LeeHasCrabs wrote:
Christian wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:No, I don't attach mine using silicone. I usually prop them up, or drill holes and use zip ties.
What about using the sticky back Velcro strips? You can buy it at hobby stores by the roll, and would make replacement far easier than using silicone...
Such an obvious and great idea! Thanks!

Glad I could help!

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Fri Oct 26, 2018 11:22 pm

The humidity and heat can cause the velcro to fall off in time.

Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??

Re: Cork Bark & Siliconing it to the Tank??