Leopard gecko vivarium project

[Natus]

Hey people, getting a pair of leos soon, and I'll be building a fake rock landscape for them, I don't have the terrarium or the geckos yet, so I can only make minor interior stuff. I'll be using polystyrene sheets and then some grout when the time comes, my brother has been sculpting and painting environments for miniature figures for a long time, and said he would help me, so I have pretty high hopes for this project.

At first I created a 3D model of what I inted to build, since I can't really draw things like this, there aren't any measurements though, so it's mostly just a sort of guideline to what I am doing.

I've bought the polystyrene and started cutting and such, so far I've made a hide, but I might redo this since It's quite big and probably won't fit in very well.

I will probably use this one, it's a corner piece that serves as a stair and a hide, it's a little spacy, but I may need to add a support pillar inside and that should take care of that. It's made with 4 layers of polystyrene, a lot of carving, some scraping and by melting with an open flame.

I used the same method to create this, which will probably be a basking spot, depending on how it fits, otherwise I'll just cut it down to size. Seems a little thick.

I've also made this bowl that will either be used for water or vitamins, or both, could probably add some kind of seperator to it.

What do you guys think so far? I'll be updating this thread as I get further into the project, so keep an eye on it

 

[Dog Shrink]

Looks good so far... what do you plan on covering the styro in? Also leo's don't really bask... they're noctournal and rely on belly heat not ambient temperatures so you really don't need a formal "basking" spot or even a basking light really, just a good UTH. I think may vary per individual leo but... save the money where ya can is what I always say Have you owned leos before? what kind of pair are you thinking about?

PS welcome to the forum

 

[Natus]

It will be my first pair, my first reptiles in fact, but we've had reptiles in my family as long as I can remember, and I used to catch lizards whenever I could, so I'm not completely new to it.
I'll be using grout to cover the styrofoam once I'm done with the shaping, and then I hope my brother will help with painting, he probably knows some tricks, and he's definitely better at that stuff than I am.

I know they're nocturnal and don't bask in the sun, but I figured that instead of using heating mats only, I'd create a basking spot that heats up during the day, in hopes that it will make them move around a bit to find heat, instead of just hiding in dens, being cozy.

I plan on getting 2 females since I don't have any breeding in mind, I'd love to have a super snow but it's hard to find anything but SHTCTs where I'm at (Denmark) even normals are hard to come by, I may be able to get my hands on some mack snows, but I haven't really decided yet, I'll be visiting some breeders in the next couple of weeks, hopefully.

 

[Dog Shrink]

I have a bold mack snow... you can see him in my photo albums on my profile Denmark is a bit of a distance to ship to you, IDK if anything from the Hamm show could be sent your way (it's the only one abroad that I know about)?

Any breeders haev any thoughts on helping this person out with how to get a leo to denmark?

 

[Natus]

Started playing with grout just to see what it's like, I had to redo some tiles in my bathroom and had some leftover grout, so figured I might as well test it.

Looks ok I think, should probably use a more watered down solution, and apply more layers, but this is what I had at hand and it turned out ok.

It's sitting on top of 3 screws so it doesn't fuse with my working area, I hope.

 

[Dog Shrink]

try putting it on wax paper to prevent it from fusing to your work station I think it looks great. Nice and natural. I like the texture. I think if you thin the mix out too much it might look more like paper machet rather than stone.

 

[Natus]

Thanks for the comment, and the wax paper suggestion, I'll try that the next time.
The problem with a thicker grout solution is that a lot of the thin edges you get when you apply it become sort of jagged edges when it dries, and I don't really like the geckos walking on that, my main concern is that it also tends to break off quite easily, exposing the polystyrene, so I will have to apply at least one more layer with a bit thinner solution, just to get a smoother surface.

Here's a pic of it after it dried.

Closeup of the jaggies.

inside shot, see the surface is a lot smoother, mainly because I didn't manipulate it so much after I applied it.

 

[Dog Shrink]

I think if you took more of the approach like making dribble sand castles on the beach, just kinda dribble it on, maybe a little wetter or misting it as your put on each layer, and insted of tooling it, use your wet hands to smooth it out. That should help you avoid the jagged bits, plus after you seal it it shouldn't chunk off that easily. Try using a nail file to smooth off the jaggedy bits before your next application of grout. I don't think the leo would mind some of the roughness when it comes time to shed, but a lot of that comes from working it with dry tools ro hands. If you're wet when you work it you should avoid a lot of that imo from what I know of grout. Something else to try might be just make it a tiny bit thinner and dip the styrofoam mold directly into the bucket with the grout to coat it.

 

[Dron2124]

very nice idea and project there. Looks like it will be a nice set up.

 

[Natus]

Well, I did use my hands, but they weren't wet, that's actually a pretty good idea, the problem with pouring/dripping it on (and I would assume for dipping as well) is that it doesn't always sit the way it should, for example with this piece, a lot got clogged up in indentations, and that kind of ruined the shape, so I had to scrape some out with my fingers, but with a thinner solution it might work, will try it with the next pieces.

 

[Dog Shrink]

When I use to install tile we would always wet our finger to run the grout line (even tho it didn't specify to do so) to make sure it packed well into the crack, then we would go over it again instantly with another application of grout to finish it off. It won't stick to a wet finger, kinda like caulk, or a damp sponge, as per the normal application specifications. Maybe insted of using your hands, or after you use your hands to get a general shape you like, you can blot it with a damp sea sponge to take down any points before it dries and to give it a nice natural texture. Just keep in mind the wetter you make the grout the more brittle it will be when it dries so try to use a minimalist philosophy when molding it into shape. Another thing you can do is give it 15-20 minutes to set so that the "core" is at least semi-set before you mess with the surface. And mom said knowing how to installing tile wouldn't ever be helpful

 

[Natus]

Alright, time for an update.

I applied a second layer of grout to the corner piece, just to fix some things and fill some cracks. No pictures though.
I created a second hide and grouted it, it's currently drying, not sure if it's large enough to fit a leopard gecko, and should the gecko decided to stay in there, I can't really force it out (no lid, only one opening). looks ok though.

Inside.

Also grouted the dish I made, very pleased with this one, also still drying.

And thanks a bunch for the wax paper solution, it works wonders!

 

[LZRDGRL]

Those hides and bowls look very nice!! :main_thumbsup: You'll have a very pretty and natural-looking habitat for your geckos. :main_yes:

Chrissy

 

[FelixSilva]

Interesting project dude. I'd like to see the final environment complete with your new leopards when its done.

 

[mikesgeckoz]

that looks sic keep up the good work i wanna see some pics when its done

 

[Natus]

Update time!
Finally(!) got my terrarium, started on building the actual background, haven't done a whole lot yet, but at least I'm getting somewhere now :banana:

 

[Natus]

Another small update.

 

[stubb]

what are you going to used to seal it. i am doing the same thing as we speak waiting for my 2nd coat to dry.. just need something to seal it with now..

 

[theCREECH]

how are you guys carving the styrofoam?

 

[stubb]

im using a old soldering gun to ruff the shape and then using my finger to carve the shape and then a lighter to make it flat.