Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

miffikins · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:55 pm Post subject: Ackie Viv....

So over christmas I was planning on re-vamping my ackies viv. I have been advised by a fair few people to make use of the walls of the viv, so I thought about getting some of the cork bark backgrounds that they sell on the dartfrog websites.

But the I came on here and saw all these amazing polystyrene structures that people have built Very Happy

So my question is, what is the easiest way, and the best glue/coating to use for them??

Also will they be resistant to humidity as I spray his viv everyday??

Any help would be greatly appreciated (well, by me but maybe not the OH and father as they'll have to help me Very Happy

)

Cheers

Kate

darkdan99 · Contributing Member Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 53

hi,

You can buy the exo terra backgrounds relatively cheaply and this is the simplest method.

If you want to do your own, you must coat it in a hard and safe substance.

This can be tile grout, non toxic cement, silicone sealant or similar.

Then when the coat is tacky you should pelt it with sand, or soil to give a nice finish.

A new product worth a look is excavator substrate. This is wetted then can be moulded into contours. I have had AMAZING results with this and will never stop using/ recommending it.

The ackies would love it!

MJ · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject:

Silicone is good to attach these also no more nails or another builders adhesive would work.

Cork will be fine with a bit of humidity in fact it does fine with a constant 80-100% humidity Cool

_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

miffikins · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, I have been thinking about the whole polystyrene background but looking at my vivs I don't think I would do a good enough job to make it look natural enough to go with all the logs, rocjs and leaves....

Will definatly look some more at the cork backgrounds, I'll probably have to buy a few because they dont come in big enough sizes to do the whole on my viv lol!

This excavator stuff sounds good too, I've heard about it before, may also look into that Very Happy

Hopefully my refurbishment will take my mind off the untimely death of my other ackie Crying or Very sad

Cheers guys!

Kate