any tips for me? :)

[shrinkie]

okay guys i know there is alot of posts about foam background and hides and stuff but a few nights ago i started my foam rockwall and ledges for my 2 black headed monitors i was wondering if any one has any helpfull tips for me? it would be alot of help considering this is my first big project the tank theme is desert if that helps. there tank is about 8ft long and 90cm width and about 3ft high so lots of room for the lil guys.

cheers

 

[Doccee]

Check out Foamwork for all thread.

 

[shrinkie]

cheers i will

 

[snakerelocation]

make sure you put a thick coat over it whatever medium you use, otherwise you might find it wont last to long with there claws scratching at it.
Good luck with it.

 

[shrinkie]

thanks

 

[ssnakeboyy]

At least 2 coats of thick grout and 3 layers of non toxic sealant. Check out my thread on my background.. It's called Baby bearded dragon DIY background

 

[shrinkie]

thank you i will atm ive done 4 layers of pool grout on half of it but unfortunetly the weather hasnt been at its best lately

 

[JackTheHerper]

Be sure to post the finished product would be cool to see

 

[shrinkie]

thanks i will

 

[Grogshla]

something that I would do is to make a platform for basking which has a bit of overhang so the dragons can go under the basking spot also if they wish. You will get all kinds of cool hidey holes and temperature sweetspots.

 

[shrinkie]

so far ive made a hide and tunnel seperate from the backboard, and on the backboard ive made a series of ledges, rocks, caves and hides.

 

[Jacknifejimmy]

Their...
Sorry I have to, it drives me insane.

 

[mad_at_arms]

make sure you put a thick coat over it whatever medium you use, otherwise you might find it wont last to long with there claws scratching at it.

No, thick coats will take ages to dry and if the grout doesn't dry properly between coats it will crumble.
Better to do many thin coats and allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

At least 2 coats of thick grout and 3 layers of non toxic sealant.

Try a minimum of four coats for something like monitors. I would look at acrylic render as opposed to grout for use with monitors as it will be far stronger.

Now my tip is to get this moved to the DIY zone and increase your likelihood of getting good advice.
Also check out these threads if you haven't already

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/diy-zone-5392/home-stretch-168147/
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/diy-zone-5392/productive-evening-164996/
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/diy-zone-5392/diy-fake-rock-wall-183525/

 

[shrinkie]

thanks your lots of help okay im going for 6 coats of grout and im also doing a layer of non toxic car bog and then a fews of render

 

[J-A-X]

The render is cheaper and stronger than the grout. As Mad at arms has said, multiple layers slightly increase thickness each layer but make sure it's dry before adding the next layer.
The 'foam work for all' thread is a discussion in the "DIY Group" not in the DIY zone in the main forum, I can't link to it from my phone, maybe someone who is on the pc can help, but I'll check later when I'm on my PC and link to it if no one else has

 

[shrinkie]

The render is cheaper and stronger than the grout. As Mad at arms has said, multiple layers slightly increase thickness each layer but make sure it's dry before adding the next layer.
The 'foam work for all' thread is a discussion in the "DIY Group" not in the DIY zone in the main forum, I can't link to it from my phone, maybe someone who is on the pc can help, but I'll check later when I'm on my PC and link to it if no one else has

I am using both grout and acrilic rendar and i have been giving every layer 2 days to dry just to be certain that it will last a while as this will be there 3rd and hopefully last tank. Do i need to put anything over the paint to seal it?

 

[J-A-X]

A lot of us use pond sealer, it's not toxic but I doubt it will cope with monitor claws, just add varying colours into your final layer of grout/render for coloring.
I'd be worried if any of the render is going to be permanently submerged under water. You may find chemical leeching out of the grout/render.

 

[shrinkie]

A lot of us use pond sealer, it's not toxic but I doubt it will cope with monitor claws, just add varying colours into your final layer of grout/render for coloring.
I'd be worried if any of the render is going to be permanently submerged under water. You may find chemical leeching out of the grout/render.

thanks Jaxrtfm
my monitors atm are only about 10cm long there not very big and there claws arnt that sharp yet, i dont expect it to last long to i just dont want them to rrip it apart in one night im putting a lot of thin coats on to make sure and there isnt going to be a lot of water in their water bowl and there pee
lol

 

[Jacknifejimmy]

Their, they're and there. Please read a dictionary.

 

[JackTheHerper]

Their, they're and there. Please read a dictionary.

Some people are not great spellers, If you just want to correct spelling, go onto facebook or something.