Leopard gecko (rock wall build)

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Ozymandias

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Jun 4, 2008
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well just picked up the cracked 20 gallon for free and thought i would so a fake wall with it for a leopard Gecko i'm planing on picking up. this is the tank i'm taking inspiration from.

this is the tank needs cleaning up but still good.


and as you can see it's really cracked, i'll be covering that side and the back wall with the fake rock also will give it a layer of silicone to be so it doesn't break any more.


and this is the stuff i got.




unfortunately i bought grout with anti-microbe so not sure if it will be safe to use any input on this, and if it's the wrong stuff can you recommend the right stuff.


all and all this build has cost me $28 with gas so far should be a fun project.
 

Vicious_Fish

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Fake walls are not hard to make. Have fun with it!
 

ohbly

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I personally wouldn't use grout with anti-microbe agents in it. Could you take it back and replace it with some plain grout?
Also is that foam polystyrene or urethane?

good luck with this:popcorn:
 

wespastor

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Yeah there is a foam product that is inert (safe) and the color goes al the way through. Adhears to the glass just fine. The color can be customized the way you want it or even blended to a multi-color if thats what you want. A benefit to this type is that if you make a mistake ir change your mind about the way it looks you can change it without having to destry the tank in the process. mortor and grout are as hard as rock and need hammer and chisle to get out.

Check out these threads and the threads in them for details.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220587

and

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/v...-introduction-build-125-gallon-terrarium.html

Best wishes

Wes
 

ohbly

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Yeah there is a foam product that is inert (safe) and the color goes al the way through. Adhears to the glass just fine. The color can be customized the way you want it or even blended to a multi-color if thats what you want. A benefit to this type is that if you make a mistake ir change your mind about the way it looks you can change it without having to destry the tank in the process. mortor and grout are as hard as rock and need hammer and chisle to get out.

Check out these threads and the threads in them for details.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220587

and

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/v...-introduction-build-125-gallon-terrarium.html

Best wishes

Wes
Grout being hard as rock is a good thing IMO, as it feels like rock as well as looking like it.
The pictures of HX's foam and grout rocks in the second thread you posted are an excellent example of what can be achieved with the grout method.

Its also easier to make the background outside the tank and glue in the finished product, because you're not working in the confides of an aquarium.
A very good resource for fake rocks is this- http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/16605-making-fake-rocks.html
 

Ozymandias

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well good new the anti-microbe is only when you add in another product, also i was considering doing this out side out the tank but because im doing two side of the tank i felt it would be a bit hard to get back in the tank so i sort of built it in side. also got down one coat of the grout last night.
 

milesalive

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I personally prefer great stuff 4 this sort of project
 

Ozymandias

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i would have but i didn't want to deal with letting it cure for a day or so then carving it where as with this stuff i could just break it. btw ohbly the foam is expanded Polystyrene i used some extra silicone i had lying around to hold it together.

also here are pictures of what i did last night.


 
Last edited:

ohbly

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