Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Boristheboa · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:27 am Post subject: Cork Bark

Hi everyone... im new to this forum, just a quick one. can any one tell me how to get hold of cork bark. want to use it as back ground in 5ft x 4ft viv

ta

Mark
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Boristheboa · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:14 pm Post subject: backgrounds

Ok so noone knows... so is there any other ideas regarding backgrounds, here are pics of the viv that is gonna need it..!!
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Stuart · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject:

You can get cork bark from any decent reptile shop.Do you not have any shops near you?
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Mememe · Site Moderator Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 2141

It is quite expensive, especially for such a big viv,
but ;

http://www.pollywog.co.uk/shop-clearance.html
or the coco-husk.

Another (cheaper) idea is to stick on textured polystyrene (take out chunks, rough it up) , then cover it with cocofibre mixed with grout.
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Dan · Captivebred Communist Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 1306

One idea would be to make a background yourself - none of this arty farty stuff though.

Buy a sheet of hard board from B&Q, couple of tubes of aquarium sealant, 4-8 nuts and bolts (per section) and some coconut husk (prob cost around £30 for the lot).

Cut the board into sections that will fit in the back of your viv. Smear sealant all over the board (put a pair of rubber gloves on for the smearing). Sprinkle the seperated yet dried again coconut husk over the board and push it into the sealant. Then sprinkle some more, push a bit lighter this time and then repeat again without pushing. Leave to dry.
Stand it up and shake it a bit so the excess coconut falls off.

Repeat the process for each board you make. Drill a hole in each corner (and ad mid sections if you want) put it in your viv and mark where to drill in the viv. Take it out drill through back of viv. Put your board back in and bolt into place.

ET VOILA - cheap background that costs very little yet is incredibly effective and can be thrown away when ever you need to.

(I'd buy the 8x4foot sheet of hardboard and make 1x2foot sections if i were you, you can ALLMOST spot clean then when needed)

Much easier than all this farting around with polystyrene and grout etc etc.
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The future is bright, the future is a net like pattern.................

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mark_w · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:54 am Post subject:

Sounds like a nice idea Dan.

I tend to silicon normal cork tiles to the back wall, but turn them the wrong way round, so the rough side faces out. Pretty basic, but still nicer than white hardboard or melamine.

Mark.

Boristheboa · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

hear is what ive been up to past couple of days,
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Stuart · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

Looks like you have been busy..look forward to seeing it when its all finished.
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don_naked · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:12 pm Post subject:

whatatataaa big size man!....

Boristheboa · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:39 am Post subject:

well, just finished background fitting all branches, all digital thermometers are fitted on front of Viv. just waiting for Mr postman with fittings thermostats heat mat, 250w ceramic bulb came yesterday also ordered internal reflector inc guard. should be a week or so once this acrylic varnish has cured completely and all is done, ill get some pics on soon

mark
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Look after Your pet, They could be with you longer than your kids.....!