ANOTHER background - rainforest

This is the last of five backgrounds I've been making. Only worked on it for two days and am pretty happy how it turned out so far. Used a lot of unused bark, driftwood etc lying around the house.

I think I'm going to put the waterbowl below the driftwood hanging from the middle and make thdt a waterfall.

One thing I'm unsure of is how to seal in the moss. It is glued on and sturdy, but the bits that stick out I'd like to seal in so the lizard can not rip them off or eat them. Any ideas?

Also, unsure about the vines. Should I remove them, or at least part of them?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psdpkuilpd.jpg

What kind of lizard is it?

man that is spectaculiar, thats gonna be one wicked looking lizard tank

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Originally Posted by Jhill001

What kind of lizard is it?

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An adult merauke blue tongue. I probably can just leave it as is, but I am worried because sphagnum moss does cause impaction in smaller animals like leopard geckos. Although that usually happens when the moss is used as substrate or a moist hide, and the gecko sheds and eats the skin along with a bunch of moss.

Having it on the wall like that is probably safe, but I just don't feel to comfortable that if she wants she can just chew it off or scratch it off etc. Plus it would make the background last longer.

Dang dude... Would you be willing to make one for a dart frog display?

I had to come back and look again because thats just so impressiv, I would comfortably pay 100$ for that and still feel like I ripped you off, you got some real talent

Your stuff is ridiculously good. I know there's tons of people that would pay good money if you started making them to sell

Wow, thanks for all the compliments. I didn't really think much of this last one, my centerpiece was gonna be the dinosaur one.

I'm still trying to figure out how to "seal" the moss in so the lizard can't eat it. I tried dabbing the moss with waterbased polyurethane but not sure if that'll cut it.

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

Dang dude... Would you be willing to make one for a dart frog display?

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I don't know much about dart frogs. Are you saying you are looking to get one? Or are you currently making one?

I'd like one made that had jungle vines and hides that could support high humidity and moss to grow on it.

Sent using Tapatalk.

Are you using styrofoam as the base for your background or something sturdier

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Originally Posted by M.P.C

Are you using styrofoam as the base for your background or something sturdier

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It's just a piece of quarter inch plywood with cork bark and driftwood and branches etc. stuck on it.

I honestly don't think the lizard would eat the moss.

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Originally Posted by Jhill001

I honestly don't think the lizard would eat the moss.

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I don't either, but since I had a lizard impacted several years ago, I've been quite paranoid about this kind of thing.

Regardless, the moss is sealed anyway now with clear epoxy which can not be removed by the lizard. I decided to give the moss more of a wet look.

Will post update after I install the LED lights and waterfall.

That is really incredible! I'm sure you've thought of this, but I'd be sure to blast the hell out of that with air and or water to be sure there are no loose bits. The only thing worse than your lizard eating moss is your lizard eating epoxy-coated moss.

Would love to see a DIY thread with lots of pictures on how to make something like this.

I don't know much about blue tongues do they need the humidity provided by a waterfall? I've always pictures them as a savannah animal to be honest. Are they from rain forests? Or is this something specific to the type of blue tongue it is?

It depends on the species of blue tongue skinks. This particular background is for a merauke blue tongue which needs higher humidity. Generally, the indonesian species need higher humidity than australians.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

That is really incredible! I'm sure you've thought of this, but I'd be sure to blast the hell out of that with air and or water to be sure there are no loose bits. The only thing worse than your lizard eating moss is your lizard eating epoxy-coated moss.

Would love to see a DIY thread with lots of pictures on how to make something like this.

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I'll go over the surface bit by bit to check for loose bits. The moss now feels like solid part of the wall for the most part. If I push with moderate strength with my fingers the bits feel like rock and doesn't move.

I suck at making DIY threads because I tend to create as I go along, and never take the steps pictures. I tried doing that for my incubator and enclosures but ended up with one picture of a pile of wood and styrofoam, and one of the finished product. Some pics I took in between ended up as "mistakes" that I completely changed. As for the background, the instructions would basically be:

1) Buy a piece of plywood, some branches, bark, driftwood etc.
2) Buy some glue,
3)Go nuts. LOL!

any specific kind of glue you recomend, and what about for climbing things, like a nice chunk of wood.... say it was being mad for a ball python.... would the glue be enough or would you recomend screwing all climbing like branches to the board?

Things that require high mechanical strength I generally use two part epoxy adhesives. Stuff that doesn't require too much strength I like to use hot glue for the convenience. For pieces that fit flush together I use contact adhesives, but don't use it on styrofoam, I learned the hard way it will melt right through it.

Oh yes, and I recently discovered this adhesive from SELLEY'S liquid nails (the Australian Selley's brand, NOT the American brand "liquid nails") their 2x fast grab version in the yellow label tube is supposedly non toxic as it is water based and no solvents. I know not to believe all company claims but thus far I've had no problems.

You have inspired me...the ideas are flowing for my tree frog tank....


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By the way, if the branch is very long or glue can't hold it, it would be wise to add some mechanical assistance like a metal brace or screws etc. But the strongest glue I've found is the 2 part epoxy glue. Hardens in 5 minutes too. The water based liquid nails is very strong too, but does take a day or two to harden.

great thanks so much for all the info, think im gonna take a trip to the woods behind my house tomorow to gather some supplies. cant wait to see yours all set up with the lights and waterfall

LEDs installed.

It has a remote control which makes it change 15 different colors, adjust brightness, create fade, strobe or flashing effects etc. if I wanted. I think light purple is my favorite. If it seems to bother the lizard I will of course turn it off.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pszc2yftcl.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pspychf6vk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psrvlrfk0z.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pszqm11qn5.jpg

Waterfall installed, but need to somehow hide the tubes and the pump. I'm thinking maybe buy the smallest matching rock hide to the rock bowl and just putting it over the pump.

I also want to waterproof the driftwood. Not sure what can be used to do that that is transparent and non toxic while submerged in water? I know you guys use G4 pond sealer but it is not available here. Will varathane be safe? Or smear on some aquarium silicone where the water runs?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...slwkdpoqz.jpeg

How's this for hiding the pump?

I know, I know, it's a different color. But it's what I had lying around. Again, if I had a submersible safe sealer I can paint it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pshigzuldr.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3thdl9vo.jpg

NOT COMPLETE!

But close...

Will change out that exo terra hide for a real tree stump hide. Will add basking slate. Also the grey rock hide covering the water pump is too tight. It squishes the pipe tubing thing and slows the water. Will try to look for another cover.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psqr3zlu0h.jpg

By the way, my advice to people wanting to make something like this:

Don't make a waterfall. WAY more trouble than it's worth.

If you HAVE to, use a proper water pump tubing. Don't try to do something fancy like this here genius (sarcasm) and try to adapt an air hose, because it's smaller, black, and thus less visible. Darn thing is dribbling like some old geezer with prostate enlargement.

Love the LED's! It's coming along really nicely.

And thanks for the advice about waterfalls. :rofl:

Another fantastic job :rockon: