Artificial Backgrounds be aware

chipyluna

New Member
Messages
37
Location
Eastbourne England
Hi All

My tank which is an Exo Terra Medium short came with one of those polystyrene backgrounds which looks like rock, which is lovely, just meal worms who manage to escape from a proper worm dish do tend to venture towards the back of the tank, I clean the tank weekly and spot check through out the week, but I could hear this faint scratching noise, and it was driving me bonkers and if it was doing that to me I did wonder what it was doing to my little girl, so I pulled this background forward out of its snug place in the tank to see a beetle was in there, how it got there I have no idea as I pull this thing out frequently???? Anyway I removed it and then within a couple of days I heard it again...... This time I pulled the whole thing from the tank to discover little holes in one corner as I shook it a beetle came tumbling out, yep the meal worm escapees had borrowed into the polystyrene and set up base camp in there, by the sound of there was a couple left in there, and I can imagine a maze of tunnels, so I have decided to throw the thing out, as the noise was annoying and having to clean up this black stuff, remnants of the borrowing. Anyone else got the same kinda background had the same issues, would be interesting to hear.

Charlotte
 

warhawk

New Member
Messages
178
Location
Indiana
Glad you found what was making the noise. I have never used the premade backgrounds but I know when you make one your self you have to silicone those in and fill up all the little holes for the same reason. If you wanted to keep the one you have maybe you could silicone the holes to keep the little guys from going to the back.

Just remember if you do use silicone get the 100% stuff and allow it to dry for 24-36 hours before putting into the tank.
 

chipyluna

New Member
Messages
37
Location
Eastbourne England
To be honest it was taking up a good inch of tank space, and now is much easier to clean so I'm glad its gone, her tank is nicely decorated so I'm sure she wont miss it, on another note any of you used those reptile hammocks, as now I have more than two sides glass, was wondering if they were alright for leos?

Charlotte
 

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