So, my next project is an arabic-themed tank...

[Olimpia]

I really want to make something different for my babies for when they grow up a little, instead of making all the tanks brown and "natural." And given the region of the world where leos come from, I thought it would be fun to play with the Middle Eastern theme.

I've been hunting on Ebay for models of mosques or something like that but they are either too small or too expensive. And I have found a few aquarium decorations of arabic looking buildings but again, they are a little costly. I've been looking for other things but I can't manage to find what I'm looking for. So I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what to use to make fairly realistic building hides or stuff like that? Any ideas are good at this point, because I don't know what to use lol

Thanks!


EDIT- This would be a perfect example of something I'd love: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260072578205 only that I would prefer it to be brighter colors. But that's the general idea. I will simplify if that's the only way to not spend $30, but that's the vision I have.

 

[Krow]

Do an Egyptian themed tank, now thats what I would like to see (& have, hehe).

 

[clarkee_04]

China would be a fun one too.If you had a big tank you could do the great wall at the back of the tank, with a few holes in it for hides. You could also do some pagoda's in front of that. Haha if you really wanted to fancy it up you could do some decoratve terra cotta warriors to go on top of the wall!

 

[Krow]

China would be a fun one too.If you had a big tank you could do the great wall at the back of the tank, with a few holes in it for hides. You could also do some pagoda's in front of that. Haha if you really wanted to fancy it up you could do some decoratve terra cotta warriors to go on top of the wall!

& tiny cherry trees!! :main_laugh:

 

[froggz]

Its messy, but if you want to build your own hides there are some good tutorials out there for using Styrofoam, grout, acrylic paint, and a waterbased acrylic sealer. Its really fairly easy, I've made hides for my leo's, and a large one for my beardie that is super easy to wipe clean and sanitize. My hubby's even had fun with it and made a few leo hides, a fully done tank and is working on a tree stump now.

This would be a good one, http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/index.html , we learned alot from this page and its videos. You could easily use the technique to design whatever you like.

*edit*
I should add that it isn't terribly expensive either. Styrofoam is everywhere, I have a couple stores that save it for me, and my co-workers also don't mind letting me know when they have some so they don't have to take it to the recycling center. You can also purchase it as well.
The grout mix is typically under $12 here for at least an eight pound bag. We have a ton of paints already but I also bought containers of cement color for about $7. The sealer was $7 for a quart. We purchased two, and ran out, but we were able to make six projects, one of which spanned a 20g long aquarium and another that is around 10x10x18.

 

[Olimpia]

It's too bad I can't use sand, because that would really finish off a look this this haha.

Froggz - Ok thanks, I'll check it out!

 

[stellascura420]

That's a good idea, I think it's gonna be really cute whenever you have it completed. Be sure to post pics! In my first leo's tank I've got like a desert/hawaiian theme with a tiki hut and in my new leo's tank I'm thinking of doing a chinese theme. I've already got a little chinese house and bonsai tree hide lol

 

[Krow]

we were able to make six projects, one of which spanned a 20g long aquarium and another that is around 10x10x18.

I would love to see them!!:main_laugh:

 

[fayefaye5]

ooo sounds fun.

can't wait to see !

 

[Olimpia]

Sorry that I don't have any photos or anything yet, but I haven't started on this idea yet. But I am excited to report that I found the perfect hide on Ebay to incorporate into this idea!

I'm thinking that it'll be easier to go with a more Indian feel than arabic. I have Taj Mahal-like decorations, so I'll just go with a greener feel. I'd still love to find miniature carpets or something for doll houses to add some color lol Does anyone have any other ideas to add small hints of India to the tank? I'd like the majority of the tank to be naturalistic - with the ecoearth, maybe even a small fern or something, and lots of rocks (trying to go for an Indian jungle without shooting the humidity through the roof) so I could add small things to give it that look. I'll try painting their food bowls maybe red with gold or something like that.

 

[Wreptile]

Sorry that I don't have any photos or anything yet, but I haven't started on this idea yet. But I am excited to report that I found the perfect hide on Ebay to incorporate into this idea!

I'm thinking that it'll be easier to go with a more Indian feel than arabic. I have Taj Mahal-like decorations, so I'll just go with a greener feel. I'd still love to find miniature carpets or something for doll houses to add some color lol Does anyone have any other ideas to add small hints of India to the tank? I'd like the majority of the tank to be naturalistic - with the ecoearth, maybe even a small fern or something, and lots of rocks (trying to go for an Indian jungle without shooting the humidity through the roof) so I could add small things to give it that look. I'll try painting their food bowls maybe red with gold or something like that.

Gotta link for the hide you found?

 

[Olimpia]

Yes, well, here's a photo of it:

I think it's perfect. I've also found a really cute candle holder of a goddess that I could use as a calcium dish, so I'm also trying to win that on Ebay.

 

[Wreptile]

Yes, well, here's a photo of it:

I think it's perfect. I've also found a really cute candle holder of a goddess that I could use as a calcium dish, so I'm also trying to win that on Ebay.

That is awesome!
If you don't mind me asking, how much is something like that?

 

[Olimpia]

I've found it in Google's shopping section for as low as $14 (without shipping) but that one site was out of them. I've been looking around for one in the low $20's and I'm bidding on a couple on Ebay right now. I don't want to spend more than $30 with shipping and everything, but it is a big hide (I think it's something like 8 inches by 5-6?) and something similar in a petstore will cost you $30 without shipping, so I guess it's worth it?

 

[ez2animate]

Wow, that looks like it would be $40 in a store thats a great deal, and cant wait to see the finished product.

 

[Olimpia]

I can't wait to get started But I wouldn't hold my breath, I will probably not do anything other than get the "materials" together for a few months. I still need to gather enough money for a nice big tank lol That and my younger girls neet to grow a little before being put in with the older ones.