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Your opinions on an enclosure design

Geckogardener

Geckogardener

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I’m planning on trying something new on the large enclosure I’m currently working on. I got the idea from some museum displays I created a while back. For those displays, I created fake rock forms using plaster. Actually hydrocal, a similar material, completely non-toxic when dry - it’s used for dental forms.
I was hoping to create a natural looking environment that could be wiped clean like tile. It can be painted with non-toxic paint and sealed to make it waterproof. It is a good insulator, so I can insert under tank heaters in sections under the floor.
I plan to make hides (removable) and climbing areas and fake plants inserted into holes (removable for cleaning).
I am also planning to put a small waterfall (low and non-splashing) on the cool end of the tank.
I considered mixing sand in with the plaster material for added texture, but I decided that it would make it difficult to disinfect, so I’m skipping that part. Even though the sand would be sealed in and not a risk for the leos, I was afraid that the texture might hold dirt and bacteria.
Here is an example of a display and it’s construction:fake rocks http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Artshot/web_008.jpg
and a smaller subject with a similar construction:Step one http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Artshot/Gnome_step_2.jpg
same sculpt, further along:
Step two http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Artshot/Gnome_step_4.jpg

In fact, you might have seen this guy on TV at some point. Here he is finished:
Travelocity Gnome http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Artshot/Gnome_Project_final.jpg

Anyway, the process is easy, the materials cheap, and the finished effect is always cool.
I’d like your thoughts on it and what you might think could be a problem or concern with it, or any suggestions you can think of.
I’ve been thinking about it for weeks, and I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t work. It’s almost like a custom tile for the cage, but with more dimension.
 
You made the Travelocity gnome? That's awesome!

It sounds like it would be heavy, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. People have done similar things with foam and grout for quite some time (in fact, I have a work in progress that has had progress halted due to me being pregnant and lazy!).
 
A_Kendergirl said:
You made the Travelocity gnome? That's awesome!

It sounds like it would be heavy, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. People have done similar things with foam and grout for quite some time (in fact, I have a work in progress that has had progess halted due to me being pregnant and lazy!).
Click to expand...


Yeah, that gnome really gets beat up in those commercials, LOL. He was fun to work on... but I had to paint up something like 150 cast copies this past summer so they could abuse him in every possible way, and still have a fresh one for the next scene.
http://mk29.image.pbase.com/v3/56/525156/1/49485078.Gnomeproject.jpg

I think the plaster will be pretty light if I use a wire form underneath instead of just building up a solid wall of it. I don't know about some foam materials, they can start to de-gas if they are heated, and the toxins would concern me. They use it all the time for theme parks and even zoos for outdoor areas, but I'm not sure how safe it is for a contained space with less airflow. Maybe if it's completely cured and sealed it's fine.

When you are done your current project, (congrats, btw) I'd love to see your progress on the foam rocks!
 
Sure thing! What's sad is, 98% of the carving is done, leaving just the grout and painting, and I still don't work on it. As for the foam leaking gases, I would have to imagine that the temps would have to be much higher than what the animals could survive at for any length of time (I'll have to look that up now). One thing I do know, it's been around for quite some time, and I've never heard of anyone's animal getting sick once moving in.
 
A_Kendergirl said:
Sure thing! What's sad is, 98% of the carving is done, leaving just the grout and painting, and I still don't work on it. As for the foam leaking gases, I would have to imagine that the temps would have to be much higher than what the animals could survive at for any length of time (I'll have to look that up now). One thing I do know, it's been around for quite some time, and I've never heard of anyone's animal getting sick once moving in.
Click to expand...
You are probably right about the temperatures being too low to be an issue. I'd love to see how your project looks at thia point, even unfinished. I hope you've kept progress photos! Could you possibly share the names of the actual products you have used, and is there anywhere online that you know of with examples, images or instructions?

Thanks!
Sue
 
mmmmm..I know they are out there! LOL I don't have any links...sorry. I'll have to get to the pics later tonight....my camera is dead! I didn't keep progression pictures, the state I'm at right now is pretty much the first step (just a lot of work!).
 
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