Making Fake Rocks - Page 32

Jonas77 · #**311** (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 08:08 PM

Im not sure what you mean with "bit rough for frogs", but I assume you would think it would be rough on their skin or something similar to that?

The thing is that physics appear different to different sized animals. The air a bumble bee flies in would compare to flying in something with the wiscosity of water for us. What makes a rough surface to us does not have to be so to an animal small as a frog.
I dont think the grout makes a much rougher environment to the frogs than anything that nature could expose them to.

Hopefully there are not just grout in the terrarium in the end, but other substrates, moss, plants etc. as well.

kyle1745 · #**312** (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 03:32 AM

Understand and it used to be a no no to use gravel as it was too abrasive and woudl cause wounds on the frogs.

So I guess would sandless grout be a better option. Im still working on some fake things to attempt this on but am trying to lock down the items I need to buy. The local lowes does not have a lot of options in grout and less in sandless. Im thinking about trying gray with black to see how it goes. I have a decent fake stump started but have not had a lot of free time to work on it. I also need to pickup a torch.

melas · #**313** (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 03:36 AM

Kyle I've always used unsanded grout/cement mixtures. The resulting surface is somewhere between limestone and river rock . . . smooth but "bumpy". I've had frogs in these enclosures for over 2 years now with no obvious ill effects . . .

kyle1745 · #**314** (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 11:16 PM

Im testing out a small piece of foam, so far it looks ok, but I need a way to carve it a bit better.

melas · #**315** (**permalink**) 12-20-2009, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle1745

but I need a way to carve it a bit better.

The foam or the grout? I like using a torch (outside or in the garage) on the foam and a dremmel on the cement.

Sharper · #**316** (**permalink**) 01-01-2010, 05:25 PM

hello, this is the update of the constrution of my 3d background.
1st
glue all the pieces together.

2nd
I used a neutral clay to give a 3d texture and close some gaps.

notice that i have removal parts for the cleaning.

Next step is paint and adding some roots.
cumps.

Sharper · #**317** (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 09:53 AM

hi
here it goes:

I hope u like it. I'm gone change the placement of some rots, and i'm adding realistic fake moss cause i'm gone use led ilumination.
cumps

calvinyhob · #**318** (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melas

The foam or the grout? I like using a torch (outside or in the garage) on the foam and a dremmel on the cement.

+1 on the torch and definitly outside, did a little bit of work inside once during winter and WOAH never again!!

May have been asked before but what brand are you using matt? The local HD stopped carrying what i have been using and this new stuff is not working to great for me. Just built a new tank and the grout is cracking and ive never had this issue before.

Also are you using epoxy or what to cover your work?

Sorry if these questions have been asked before but ALOT of pages to read and maybe i should of just PMed you

melas · #**319** (**permalink**) 01-14-2010, 05:34 PM

No worries! I've actually started a new method - one that I have not yet seen anywhere. I'm currently documenting it - it will be for an african cichlid tank. PM me if you want the details - I don't really want to post it until I finish trying it myself. It's the same method I used on my rock wall backgrounds in my "mini-zoo" . . . it is VERY strong though . . . and cheap!

What I've been using prior to this though is just a polymer modified floor leveling cement. The brand really doesn't matter - typically they are acrylic or latex - both are relatively inert. I have not sealed any of my walls and so far they are holding very well. I have not noticed anywhere on any of them. In fact my first wall, which is now well over two years old, has all kinds of mosses and other flora growing on which I don't believe would have occurred (to this extent anyhow) if all the pores had been sealed with epoxy etc . . .

Thundergeck · #**320** (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 08:24 PM

Great thread, you guys did some beautiful work!
I didn't see this link posted, but this guys website was particularly helpful. He makes videos showing the process step by step. His work is geared more for lizard enclosures but the principal is still the same. There is one video where he made a pretty amazing waterfall which I found very helpful.

Lizard care, and fake rock wall landscapes