alternatives to grout for making rock hides?

[neubauer geckos]

i want to make cheap rock looking hides,but i don't want to use grout.how could i do this?i was thinking about just cutting styrofoam and maybe putting some expanding foam on it and painting it.is this safe and will it work?what kind of paint should i use?

 

[Khrysty]

it will work. Use regular acrylic paint but remember to seal it and let it air out completely before using it

 

[kcexotics]

Painting it would be a pain.You could get a more realistic look if you if you covered it with peat moss and/or sand while the foam is still wet and just shake off the excess when dry.I make back drops for aquariums with foam then cover with silicon and peatmoss.They turn out awesome.

 

[Remy]

I used drywall mud to create my rock wall and other structures I've placed in my tanks. Works well but you do have to do several layers.

 

[Anejodave]

There are epoxy resins that mimic rock exceptionally well. They are difficult to work with, expensive and are highly volitile until cured. It's not much of an option unless you have experience with it but it can be done.

 

[Noahboa1]

I have seen a lot of great faux rock hides, walls, structures, etc. made out of styrofoam or polystyrene and painted. What most people that i've seen use is Rust-Oleum spray paint. They even have a paint that's made to look like rock! Make sure you seal it with a non toxic acrylic sealer, or if it's not going to get wet too often, as i'd expect in a leo cage, you could just use Mod-Podge like I do with the fake hides I make that go in my leo cages.

 

[Marleykeeper]

I was kinda pondering this in my head today. You can buy Tera cotta at michaels or obby lobby for a very resonable price then cover a wooden frame and bake to dry. It would hold heat beter then foam and look like rock with slot less work then foam. Just got a new 20L today for Marley so I might see how it works