Fake rock for geckos

[Archie]

This is the begining of the new home for my pair of Chondrodactylus angulifer angulifer. Thought I would go for a naturalistic Vivarium seeing as though my groung geckos are agro (may have been wild caught)

I thought the fake rock background would look best. Used Polystyrene to form the basis of the "rock", Not the most ideal medium but it was all I had available at the time. Will later post pictures of the first layer of concrete.

 

[Archie]

Here is the first layer of concrete, it is terracotta tile grouting, didn't like the colour or the thickness but it forms the basis for the next layer.

The grouting didnt have much body to it so i ended up slopping it all over the place like thick paint just used my hands(makes a serious mess). The next layer was done with normal grey tile grouting will post pics tomorrow.

 

[trojangecko]

Hey, that's a really neat idea. What size is that tank? Are you just using hot glue or are you using something else?

I may have to pilfer that idea in the near future...

 

[samme]

I really like that! I can see why you don't like the grout, but if you use a grey coulor next and just use a little paint on your brush and kind of brush it on lightly with big sweeps you will get a really cool effect.

Heres an article from a swedish reptileforum witch shows the use of drybrushing Repti.net / Reptile forum / Klippbakgrund under 200 spänn. Del 2.

Hope it helps.

Cheers
//samuel

 

[Archie]

@Trojangecko- The tank is about 300Litres not sure of what that is in gallons. The tank is about 1250mmx500mmx550mm.
Started useing hotglue doesn't work to well with Polystyrene just melts it, ended up useing a glue called "No More Nails" because it doesn't melt the Polystyrene.

 

[Archie]

Here is the next step. Sorry only took photos after I had finished the second layer of grey tile grouting (got carried away), these pictures where taking whilst it was still drying, ended up going white once the grouting was dry.

It took two layers to get an effect that I was satisfied with, although there is lots of margin for improvement. I have started to paint the "rocks" Ive got non toxic Acrylic will post pics when complete.

 

[trojangecko]

That would be around 150 gal, I think... I'm not good at unit conversions!

What type of gecko are you going to put in there? I really like the effect. You've inspired me! I think I'm going to try for a canyon/sandstone layer of sediment feel in my tank, eventually. Great stuff!

 

[Archie]

[What type of gecko are you going to put in there?

Got a pair of Giant ground geckos (Chondorolactus angulifer angulifer dont know the spelling) The tank will be a bit large and they probably wont make mush use of the background but I plan to add a few more females once the tank is finished.

 

[Archie]

Here is the nearly finished product. Painted the rocks with Acrylic paint then used sand paper to finish it off to give it a more natural look. This is as far as I have gotten so far, Awaiting my canopy and stand so that I can add sand plants and then later the new inhabitants.

Excuse the pic quality.

 

[jfitz]

Damn thats cool!

 

[HerpInvert]

looks cool. sort of like this:

 

[Archie]

Ok I got round to setting up the decor inside my tank. Here are the results so far. Not finished yet as I will still add a few more plants to the back wall. The Canopy arrives at the end of the week and the stand should be soon too.

Once the canopy is on the new inhabitants will go in as I cant keep them in their temp enclosure any longer.

I built a tunnel under the enclosure along the front of the glass for them to hide in and still be viewed, as you can see in one of the pics