Fake rock creation

brsisko

New Member
Messages
56
I would like to make a fake rock where my gecko could go under and on top of in my new 40 gallon breeder tank. If I used styrofoam and covered it with moarter or marine epoxy, would that be safe for my geckos? Is there a consensisus with the gecko community about which materials are safe? I wanted to make something like this http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_other_netmax_styro.htm but for my geckos
 

brsisko

New Member
Messages
56
Lol. I havent even started yet. I want to know if the materials will be ok for the leos. Does anyone have any ideas or knowledge about that they would like to share?
 

AntMan612

Member
Messages
342
Location
Dublin, CA
Sounds like a fun project! I would try to make it heavy enough or adhered to the bottom. Styrofoam has a low melting point, so I wouldn't put a basking spot lamp directly above it just to be sure there's no danger.
 
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paulnattress

Guest
Hi,
I'm building a rock wall myself (see http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=15361).

I've used polystrene (I think you call it styrofoam in the States) and covered it in tile grout. You'll notice that the tub will say that it's not safe to ingest but that applies to it when wet. However, to be 100% safe what I'm doing is painting it with acrylic paint and then covering it with a coat of yacht varnish. This is a natural varnish made from resin and natural oils and is safe for animals.

Another option that was mentioned to me was pond paint (the type you use to paint the inside of an outdoor pond) as this is designed to be safe for the fish in the pond. The only downside to the pond paint is the lack of variety in the colour. I think it comes in stone, white and black.

I've spent weeks and weeks on this rock wall and the biggest delay was in researching safe materials to use for the outermost coating. However, always check safety labels and warnings yourself. A member of staff in a hobby shop advised to check on paint manufacturers' websites for full safety information and toxic content info on their paints.
 
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brsisko

New Member
Messages
56
Thanks for the help. I saw your wall. It looks so good!! Keep up the good work and keep us posted
 

goReptiles

New Member
Messages
2,639
Location
Georgia
Here's the instructional that I used when making my fake rock enclosure: HERE

I found it very hard to clean. I no longer use the large piece, but I do use the dry hides and bridge in my two 20 gallons that I have set up.
 

brsisko

New Member
Messages
56
hey thanks alot everyone. Thats really cool. Im building mine now so it sould be done in a few days. I will post pictures along the way when I have a chance.
 
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paulnattress

Guest
That looks brilliant! I'm using acrylic paint on mine as it's water-based and has a plastic finish to it once dry (kinda like an extra layer of sealant really). I'm not sure if the spray paint is safe for the leos when dry but I haven't really checked to be honest.
 

brsisko

New Member
Messages
56
Here it is out to dry. I ended up using all krylon spray paint and sealed it with an acrylic krylon spray paint. According to the krylon website all their paints are non toxic when dry so I think it should be fine right? Anyway, here it is.
06170815341-1.jpg


I'm letting it air out for a few days then I am going to work on the floor of the tank. I want to use tile and maybe I will get some plastic plants and hotglue them to the rock. I will keep everyone posted!

EDIT: here is the link from the Krylon website http://krylon.com/faq/
 

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