making a fake rock?

[katieam]

so im curious as to whether i can take styrofoam and cover it with cement to make a fake rock for a gecko. if i sanded it, painted it, and sealed it to make it smooth would this be reptile safe?

any info is appreciated, thanks!

[missi182]

You could do that but you have to be very careful about what kind of paint and sealant you use.You can buy them at some pet stores too. Really, I would just get a real rock Or a nice big cured branch.

[katieam]

lol well actually i said rock for simplicites sake, but really its for a background with climbing ledges for a gargoyle gecko. i was just afraid that concrete wouldnt be safe for a reptile.

[mainbutter]

concrete is a pretty neutral substance, unless you smash your head against it.

[missi182]

lol well actually i said rock for simplicites sake, but really its for a background with climbing ledges for a gargoyle gecko. i was just afraid that concrete wouldnt be safe for a reptile.

Ohh I got ya. I wouldn't pour concrete over it, I don't think it will turn out like you hope. You can paint it with non-toxic paint and seal it with non-toxic sealant, but let it dry for a good few days. Exo-terra does make backgrounds exactly like that for their tanks, and they do sell them separately on their site and through pet stores.

[Dave763]

I think some rock would be a better idea.

[missi182]

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/background.php

Check that out for the exo-terra background.

[LawfulChaos]

Try these links these are what im planning to do with my bearded dragons

http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/falserock/?page=1

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make...r-a-reptile-c/

[katieam]

lawfulchaos: yes! thats what i want!

i wanted more ledges and things for food bowls and hides to sit on since they are arboreal. i wanted to build like ramps and caves and ledges for them to climb on.

[LawfulChaos]

Glad i could help im planning on making a complete fake rock wall with hide, ledges, and ramp thats gonna be 48Lx24H.