Faux rock wall/background in Reptarium?

[leet13]

I have a 175 gallon reptarium (you know, with the wonderful zipper)... Other than the zipper, I dont have any other complaints.

I am wondering if anyone has made a faux rock wall or background to fit one? I want some kind of background so that when I mist, it does not hit my wall. I am looking to make it myself (which I have been reading up on). I figure I can use some twistie ties or zip ties to secure it to the pvc so that it is sturdy.

I keep seeing pics online where its in a glass aquarium enclosure and never seen one in a large size reptarium. If anyone has pics of theirs, please post them here. I would love to see them. Thanks

 

[Shampoo]

I actually am in the process of making one for my 2x2x4 Reptibreeze. I started with an existing Exo-Terra background from a smaller Terrarium. It's in the process of curing still, but here's what it looked like in its almost complete state:

It's mostly drylock and kwikcrete on foam and its sealed with a food-safe counter top sealer. It's pretty easy to do, there's a lot of videos on youtube on how to make backgrounds, but make sure you do a lot of research on the products, give it plenty of time to cure from vapors, and keep a close eye on the cham after you put it in.

 

[EvilLost]

I have made several faux rock/dirt backgrounds.


There are many different methods (do NOT use the clay method for chameleon setups!! well, IMO don't use the clay method period...but it "works" for 100% humid frog tanks for some people)





For faux ROCK, I recommend using STYROFOAM thin sheets (1/4") cut them and glue together and then carve the ends using a styrofoam cutter.
I PREFER: Carve the rock to "realistic shape" and then use several WATERED DOWN coats of CEMENT. WARNING: Fresh cement leeches into water so you can not use this straigth up!! Either coat with epoxy (I use US Composites, but its $95/gallon; this makes it GLOSSY and will vary lighting a bit off; not recommend for highly visible areas) or wash/soak your concrete for ~6 weeks in water (doing water changes). The 6 weeks time is approx for aquariums so we can probably get away with slightly less, but use due care and test your water ,esp if you have a circulating water system.

For faux dirt:

-backing of choice (light louvre or thin styrofoam work)
-cover with expandable foam (great stuff)
-prepare coco coir, make sure it is DRY. I like to include a tiny bit of woodchips/fiber, but otherwise it should be fine coco dirt only.
-once dry, coat GS with silicone in small sections and cover with coco as you go. Use way more coco than you need and MASH it in nice and tight. (make sure to use a windows+doors that does NOT have mold agents; I use GE Wind+Doors Type II comes in brown)
-once it dries (at LEAST 24 hours) brush off coco and spot fix.

voila

message me or email me any questions


Sample FAUX DIRT: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/110155970065283198485/albums/5647654053080166753

Sample FAUX ROCK (and Dirt): https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/...lbums/5647652851478928897/5709146197081265890
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/110155970065283198485/albums/5647652851478928897

 

[leet13]

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH for replying! I love the Buddha background and have seen that in a few stores- (my mom is Thai and I have visited many temples here and in Thailand with her).

I see a new project starting in the near future


EvilLost- I buy my resin from US Composites as well (I am doing my C5's interior in carbon fiber)... but I know that the stuff I use is definitely NOT safe for this kind of application. Nice tip on using brown silicone (GE)... I read that coco coir isnt recommended because pieces can come off and ingested but I like the idea that it can help with humidity. So far my chameleon isnt trying to nibble on things other than his food.

 

[mrfixit01]

See my link I did this summer making a 24" x 48" 'rock wall'. Lots of in-process pictures. Maybe you can get some ideas from it. https://www.chameleonforums.com/season-cage-builds-82759/

 

[mrfixit01]

Oooohh! Very Nice. Me like...:-0

 

[leet13]

I am drawing up some ideas today... if the power goes out due to Hurricane Sandy then I have this project to work on.

 

[EvilLost]

@leet: The dirt issue is always there, but I have not had a problem with it since the majority of my setup is branches anyway they spend very little time on the wall. I also do not cover the soil on the ground level (i'm sure a practice frowned upon by others) but in my experience the crickets always come up and I have *never* seen my chameleons on the ground floor other than if they had fallen (and certainly never to eat)

Overall, the dirt ingestion hasn't been an issue but my guys aren't munchers either.



The epoxy I use from US Composites is safe (I can find the exact info if you want it) but it definitely gives the rock a "glossy" finish which i'm not a huge fan of. I've seen aquarium enthusiasts use the same technique but they sprinkle sand onto the epoxy as its drying to give it a more matte look; a method I haven't tried myself but pictures seem promising.

PS: Check dendroboard and some of the saltwater aquarium boards for a lot of DIY methods on fake rock; I'll try to throw together a "howto" for this site as well

 

[leet13]

I started one... First I got the wrong styrofoam (Went to Lowe's for that) and thought it was ok to use but when I started carving into it, it started to curl really bad.

I got that pink/purple styrofoam stuff from home depot... its for insulation. I drew up a kick ass Buddha head and all... I got it onto the board then I totally screwed it up trying to carve it!!!!! I am going to leave it because it took me FOREVER and it sort of looks like its been weathered. Its supposed to look like its carved in the rock. Anyways I am really not happy with it but I cannot do any better... it was really hard to do what I have done. Maybe I will fill it with great stuff foam and try carving the face out again tomorrow...