styrofoam backgrounds....

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sportbike_rob

Guest
well, i picked up a bunch of free styrofoam at work, so im going to make an attempt at making one of those styrofoam/tile grout backgrounds for froto's enclosure. if froto's turns out well, i may even make one for Smeegal's (my pueblan milk) enclosure too. all i gotta get now is some natural colored grout, i will post up pics of the finished product when i am done with it.:D

if anybody has any advice and/or pointers it would be great, im going to start tomorrow on it:main_thumbsup:

also, would there be a way to be able to paint details on it, like, what paint would be a safe one to use, if any?
 
gecko_man2

gecko_man2

New Member
Messages
247
Location
Marseilles, IL
I made a few backgrounds out of foam that I carved natural looking rocks structures in but, didn't know what kind of paint to use either so I would like to know if you find out rob.
 
Zbiz

Zbiz

T.A.I.L. REPTILES
Messages
319
Location
PA
HM..... well for my leos cage i used plan acrylic paint, the $1 stuff at the craft store. IT worked great, but i did seal it with child toy friendly spray paint. But since my cage was a leo's it is much drier hense it allowed me to go that root. I coated the foam in plaster than painted, than sealed it. With wetter habitats it gets tougher cus you have to worry about lots of moisture. I hoped i helped in some way. let me know how it works out.
 
D

Double LY

Guest
I've been working on this same thing. Finished sealing it last night, so hopefully I will get the tank put together and pics up tonight or tomorrow.

I used forks/spoons/knives to "rough up" the surface of the foam to make it more like rock. I also bought a couple of foam circles, cut them in half and created ledges. Then I grouted it all together and painted it different earthy colors to break up the plainness of the grout color. Last I sprinkled some sifted play sand on it while the paint was still damp so it would stick and sealed it with the kid-friendly stuff.
 
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Jayyoung

Guest
I would like to see pics.
the half circle ledge idea is great and also the sand for texture!
 
S

sportbike_rob

Guest
well, here is my progress......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/minitkid/enclosure.jpg?t=1172780635

i just need to find some paints that will be safe to use. an exo terra waterfall is going in the left side that i left blank, let me know waht you think.. (its not dry yet, the color will be similar to the lighter spots.)

i wasnt sure waht paints were safe, and IMO it looks good, so i just sealed the grout as is (just got done doing that) i will add it to my aquarium after work tomorrow (at 2 am, lol) i will get a pic of the complete finished product up probably late tomorrow/ early saturday morning.)

EDIT: ahhh crap!!!! i didnt take into account the size of the hide openings, it just dawned on me, i'm sure he can get in the hides, however i dont want him to scrape the sides while he is entering and exiting them due to grout being fairly rough it may cause abbrasions, to be on the safe side, i will try to fix that tomorrow if not i may have to make a fresh start before i add it to the enclosure, so finish product may take a bit longer than expected.......
 
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HepCatMoe

HepCatMoe

Escaped A.I.
Messages
758
Location
Tempe Az
thats freakin awesome. is that a real plant in there?

dang it now im gonna have to do this...

how did you get all the styrofoam connected? glue? too bad you didnt take pics of all the steps...
 
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Jayyoung

Guest
awesome Rob!
Thats really cool. and I got some ideas for our new cresties:main_robin:
 
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sportbike_rob

Guest
HepCatMoe said:
thats freakin awesome. is that a real plant in there?

dang it now im gonna have to do this...

how did you get all the styrofoam connected? glue? too bad you didnt take pics of all the steps...
Click to expand...

i used poly-foam. i had the poly gun and a bit of the foam leftover from when i used to install insulation.

no they are fake plants, its an exo-terra one. and the other one is a few trimmings from a $1 store fake plant
 
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nevinm

nevinm

Moyer's Monsters
Messages
2,584
Location
bethlehem PA
great looking cage rob. i would also have to agree with what Zbiz said as well. just use acrylic and that type of sealer if your going to use paint. they also make grout in almost every color, and also grout die that would be safe aslong as you mix it the right way. this is the last cage i made using foam. all i used was some foam, and drywall screws to hold the forms togeather.

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=5958

again man, yours looks great. is it a 20 gal tank?
 
S

sportbike_rob

Guest
nevinm said:
great looking cage rob. i would also have to agree with what Zbiz said as well. just use acrylic and that type of sealer if your going to use paint. they also make grout in almost every color, and also grout die that would be safe aslong as you mix it the right way. this is the last cage i made using foam. all i used was some foam, and drywall screws to hold the forms togeather.

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=5958

again man, yours looks great. is it a 20 gal tank?
Click to expand...

yes its a 20 gallon long. i kept the background an inch short so it is easily removeable, this way changing substrate and cleaning are easy. i just stuffed the gap with moss and covered it with the plant
 
D

Double LY

Guest
After a weekend dealing with no internet connection, I can finally load some pictures of Spot's tank. Here is the before and after and a few pics of Spot exploring his new digs. Everything is "leo-friendly" with the sand adhered to the styrofoam background and he is able to reach the ground from the highest ledges (although there are other legdges/rocks for him to use for help if he wants).
 
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