Creating a Fake Wall...

[Layna]

Hey all-

I've been doing so searching online as to how to make fake rock walls that are geared towards reptile habitats and was wondering if one could be incorporated in terrirum/vivarium.

The items that are used in making a rock wall are usually polystyrene (a styrofoam type product only less messier), grout, expanding foam (GreatStuff), and grout sealer. You cut a sheet of foam and then add your ledges and cliffs with extra pieces of foam. Stick 'em the the sheet with liquid nails or expanding foam, grout it then seal the grout. Now that's to make a rock wall.

I was thinking if you get the polystyrene and make the ledges and stuff and then go about using the technique for making an background with greatstuff and coco bedding and plants.

Has anyone tried this, or does it seem to be a waste of time?

[FireFly_1976]

I've not tried this, but it's along the same lines of what I was thinking of doing for my paladarium. I don't think it would be a waste of time. Although, after you got the shape of the wall you liked, I wouldn't think you'd need more great stuff, just silicone to attach the coco bark or whatever you are using. Although I've also seen people use only great stuff, but I think you would need to carve it a bit somehow to get the desired shape, as it expands a tad unpredictably. It might be easier to add foam ledges and stuff instead of carving...
I actually also plan to use real rocks (slate etc.) and silicone them in place so the won't fall and hurt the inhabitants (of course any real rocks would be supported by the ground, and not high up, high up rocks would have to be the foam kind, as I wouldn't trust silicone to hold them that far off the ground!)

Emily

[Rainfrog]

It sounds plausible. The exspanding foam is a good idea rather than just puting it on the polystyrene. the foam will seal and reinforce the ledges.

[Studdlygoof]

Here is one that I made for the aquatic section of my vivarium...its not the final product but its the only close up picture I have...its more of a lighter tan and doesnt look as "swirlly"...its made out of stryofoam and tile grout...i added some branches and incorperated planters for some aquatic soil...for the planters I shoved 1/4" pvc pipes all the way through to the bottom for extra water circulation...I was going to paint it a little to give it an aged look but I think that i'm going to let that happen naturally in the tank now...

[twodogs]

Hi all
Here is a background that i have thrown together using Expandable foam and a covering of Aquarium silicon (black). Covered with Coir Block.
If you wish to use a rock ledge, i don't see why you wouldn't be able to carve out a small slice to insert (tightly) your rock and silicon then seal around the entire rock with silicon.
Hope this helps.

[Amanda]

I recently built one of these for a tarantula. I used Great Stuff to foam-in around the pieces of wood and bark I used, and to add mass where I wanted it. The Great Stuff is SO easy to carve! I did it all with a box cutter and a razor blade. I coated the carved foam with silicone and then coco coir.

I would run screaming from tile grout. That stuff has lye in it. If you've ever had your hands in it for any length of time, you'll find that you have to wash them frequently or your skin starts coming off. That would seriously endanger any animals in the viv and probably kill plants as well with the imbalanced ph.

[Studdlygoof]

A good vinegar bath neutralizes all those effects