Alrighty, so here is my shelf, half completed...

[Lady_Kiya]

Now I need advice....

Okay, so I posted a while back showing you a shelving unit that my friend was going to make for me. My intention was to use it to add more space to my room, for more leos of course. XDD Anyways, here was the rough sketch I did (It was done in paint program, so please don't make fun of it. Lol)

Okay, so here are some of the pictures of it not quite finished.

So, the bottom shelves were done bigger to hold the exoterra tanks I have that are 17" square for width and length. So squares. The top shelves initially I was going to put fish tanks on them to hold the leos. Well, now I have an issue. I am now thinking that isn't practical. Each time I would want to get the leo out I would have to remove the tank, horrible planning on my part. In addtion to that is was measured for 10 gallon fish tanks. I am now getting 1 more leo for the time being, and two fat tails, so I will need a lot of room on at least 1 shelf for the two fat tails. As is right now, the shelf itself does not seem big enough for two fat tails to have room to move around freely and fit all the hides and other things.

So, I was thinking of using the left over wood to make an second level on two of the shelves. I am sure my friend wouldn't mind randomly cutting pieces of smaller wood and adding them on. However, I am wondering whether I should use styro foam to cover each piece of wood. I would also place styro foam along to back wall to create a nice back drop.

Now, here are the problems...

I have no idea what kind of things I could use to treat the styro foam. Of course I want to make sure nothing I use is unsafe for the geckos. I want to make the second level and back drop have a rocky looking texture. I have seen people do it, and just want to know what materials can be used to make this possible, WITH being completely safe for the geckos... In addition, should I attach the wood to the shelf now, or wait till later on? I am so lost...

Any other ideas on what I can do will be great!

 

[daleo]

well for back drops i have used 2" thick foam insulation ( the really cheap stuff from lowas) to make back drops for along time for my tarantulas. i use an old drill and a wire brush to cut the insulation into the shapes i want, then i use 100% silicone ( its no toxic when dry!) and smear it around to make sure every thing on the front is covered, then you can add eco earth, small rocks, sand, or just about anything else that will stick! lol i always use the dark brown or black silicone( looks weird with white or clear! lol)

as for the shelve, i think it could still work just fine you will just have to get inventive with the tanks! lol

dale

 

[Lady_Kiya]

Lol, I was thinking the same thing about having to get inventive. My friend will probably have to add the levels right away. He is very busy with work a lot of the time and so it would be easier for him to do it right away. So, I have to work around it. Luckily once the wood is in I have all the time I need to decorate the styro foam.

Now the only other issue is cutting grooves into the wood to add sliding glass doors. >.<

 

[BalloonzForU]

What kind of wood is that?

 

[Lady_Kiya]

What kind of wood is that?

Spruce I believe.

 

[Lady_Kiya]

I spruce okay for leos? O.O

 

[BalloonzForU]

I spruce okay for leos? O.O

This is why I was asking what the wood was. Spruce/evergreens/pines and cedar oils are not good for any reptile. As nice as the spruce wood looks I would not risk the chance of what it could do to the reptiles kept in the shelves. It's a shame that it's almost completed.

 

[Wreptile]

This is why I was asking what the wood was. Spruce/evergreens/pines and cedar oils are not good for any reptile. As nice as the spruce wood looks I would not risk the chance of what it could do to the reptiles kept in the shelves. It's a shame that it's almost completed.

Ouch. That's too bad, Jessie.

 

[Lady_Kiya]

There has to be some way round this... what kind of wood can I use?