DIY Enclosure

[SusieLou]

So Mac and Pharis are growing fast. I currently have a aquarium decoration as their hide. It's working for now but they're getting too big for it. I was browsing larger enclosures at the pet stores and online when I found some home made hides. Immediately this became my preferred method of supplying my leopard geckos with a new hide. I've been doing my research and my imagination is in full gear. But, I do need some advice.

First off, here are some websites that are my inspiration.

http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/index.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-fake-rock-cavebasking-spot-for-a-reptile-c/

I was decided about making the hide out of sytrofoam. Then, my boyfriend mentions doing something out of clay. I really like both ideas. And was wondering what you guys thought?

 

[SusieLou]

Input please

 

[SusieLou]

I was thinking using a polymer clay so that I can cure it in the oven.

 

[Josh2]

I voted for clay! I think it may retain some moisture which is good

 

[SusieLou]

I like the clay idea. There are definitely a ton of benefits. It would retain heat from the basking lamp. It wouldn't be damaged by the gecko's claws. Easy cleaning. But, also I don't have direct access to a kiln. Tomorrow I'll find out if I can use the one that the art center, but they may make me sculpt it using their materials and I may have to do it there. Which means I may have to explain what I'm doing and between you and me I'm not supposed to have reptiles on base housing. I checked out polymer clay which is curable by oven but I don't think that I'll be able to sculpt a large item considering it may not hold under itself due to the weight. I'm going to contact the art teacher from my high school and see if she can get me into the school to use the kiln. I was friends with her daughter before we graduated so maybe she can work something out.

 

[LeoLover1]

Just consider weight and getting it in/out of the tank!

 

[SusieLou]

I thought about that as well.