Gecko Mountain v1. (Lots of Pictures)

[Wreptile]

Alright, so some people know, I've been working on a project for one of my breeder tanks.
This was inspired by SLY's "Calypso's Canyon" which was inspired by Grinning Gecko's "Gecko Palace 3000".
All my supplies, I got from from Lowe's.

Tools used:
1" Styrofoam, Drywall mud, ice scraper, toothbrush, Rust Oleum Textured Paint, Rust Oleum, Liquid Nails glue gun.
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I first cut the pieces out, and put them together. It took me about 2 hours to cut all the pieces I wanted.

Close up.

Water Dish, with steps that lead up to it.

I then covered all the pieces in Drywall mud, instead of using grout. This works just as well, and hardens like a rock.

After Grouting.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o109
/_reptilefreak_/Misc/gecko_mountain_v1006.jpg

I then spray painted them, with Rust Oleum Textured finish. It works really well, and is all bumpy when dry. I used tan and grey.

First Layer of tan paint.

Close up of tan paint.

Then I did another layer, this time of the grey.

Getting it darker.

After that dried, I used Rust Oleum Clear top coat for a waterproof seal. (A lot of fumes at first, but after a week, it's gone.)

Final design, in the tank. Geckos love it!
Top view.

Top ledge, closest to the light.

Water dish, I love it!
Left side of the tank.

Rank side of the tank.

Whole tank.

Note:
There are many places for them to hide, including a styrofoam house I made, moist hide, and places to hife under the ledges.

Please, comment away!
I'd love to hear everyone's opinions.

Thanks,
Hayden

 

[moosassah]

Nice work Hayden. I bet they really like having more space to stretch out. Now that you've got 1 done, you should make another for your skinnier leo. I bet if she gets her own home she'll put on some more weight. The 2 tone paint job came out real nice.

 

[Lady_Kiya]

Wow, that looks amazing! Make me one?

 

[Wreptile]

Nice work Hayden. I bet they really like having more space to stretch out. Now that you've got 1 done, you should make another for your skinnier leo. I bet if she gets her own home she'll put on some more weight. The 2 tone paint job came out real nice.

Thanks for the compliments.
I just got the skinnier one a few weeks ago. He was skinny then too. He was really sweet, so I got him and am in the process of fattening him up.
I do hand feed them, so I can make sure everyone gets an equal amount of food.

Wow, that looks amazing! Make me one?

Come down to Oregon.

 

[SLY]

Great job. Your paint turned out great. I like the tan. I wish I would have mixed more colors in mine. It looks friggin' awesome though. Think about adding plants at all?

And that humid hide should be darker...

 

[shadowx362]

very nice Job!!
It seems all the nice gecko house/rack builders live in Oregon

 

[SLY]

very nice Job!!
It seems all the nice gecko house/rack builders live in Oregon

Haha. It's because we're so damn bored in the winter months.

 

[rawson5084]

I really like how that looks!!! It gave me some great ideas on how to fix up my tanks... Thanks!!!!!

 

[Haligren]

Brilliant! I'd add some greenery just to add a bit of color, but that's just me. I really like how the paint job turned out! And so do the geckos, I bet.

 

[Wreptile]

Thanks for the comments everyone.
Yeah, I'm going to put either tape or construction paper around the humid hide.

Ahh, no room for plants. I don't think I have any extras laying around, either.

 

[Wreptile]

Any more comments are much appreciated.

 

[Ross85]

That looks awesome. I am going to be getting a 20 long soon and want to do something like this. Is the setup easy to remove for cleaning? Can the geckos cling onto the wall and get all the way to the top and possibly excape? What glue did you use to hold the foam together that didn't melt it?

Thanks

 

[Wreptile]

That looks awesome. I am going to be getting a 20 long soon and want to do something like this. Is the setup easy to remove for cleaning? Can the geckos cling onto the wall and get all the way to the top and possibly excape? What glue did you use to hold the foam together that didn't melt it?

Thanks

I used liquid nails with a caulking gun. It doesn't melt, because it isn't hot glue.

Yes, they can climb the wall if you have a backround like me. But isn't that what a screen top is for? They cannot get out unless you have nothing on top of the tank.
I hope that helps.

 

[g3ckosr4me]

that is so cool. I'm gonna make one!!!

 

[Wreptile]

that is so cool. I'm gonna make one!!!

Thanks!

 

[vctkiller]

nice work!

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

thats really awesome work i hope one day to have the room to display some non breeding leos in a nice big aquarium with stuff like that.

 

[Wreptile]

thats really awesome work i hope one day to have the room to display some non breeding leos in a nice big aquarium with stuff like that.

It's worth it.

 

[Chibii]

I wanted to make one of he kine for my gecko but i dident know how XD now i do. It marvelous.

 

[Wreptile]

I wanted to make one of he kine for my gecko but i dident know how XD now i do. It marvelous.

Thanks, I was hoping it was a good enough tutorial to get someone started.