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mtolypetsupply
02-09-2009, 12:27 AM
Long story short...

So I got these dart frogs and joined a dart frog forum, and saw everyone on there making fake rock walls and backgrounds and all sorts of stuff. Soooo, I figured I'd try my hand at this by making a rock hide for James and Ernestine.

here's how it started:

Hot glue, packing foam, pvc scraps, cardboard box, and toilet paper tube

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3215.jpg


coated with Laticrete

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3219.jpg


then coated with silicone

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3234.jpg


then spray painted with faux stone paint

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3236.jpg

The laticrete took two coats, in two phases each to penetrate the foam and cover it. The silicone was put on in phases as well. This was a surprisingly labor intensive project!!!! And curing time, well, this thing sat on the kitchen table for about 2 weeks til it was done!

However, Erni just LOVES the pvc part!!!!!! She's ALWAYS in there now. I would have been so upset if no one liked it!!!! I'll get a pic of it in the viv soon. I'd love to get one with a head or two poking out, but James hasn't taken to it yet, and Erni is IN the tube!

:)
drache
02-09-2009, 05:54 AM
it looks good
better even in the enclosure, I imagine
guidofatherof5
02-09-2009, 05:57 AM
Great devotion to your snakes, I'm sure they will love it:)
Lori P
02-09-2009, 07:36 AM
But Stephi, you make it look so easy!!! lol It looks GREAT!!!!
GarterNovice
02-09-2009, 07:39 AM
That's very impressive. It looks great!
anji1971
02-09-2009, 08:44 AM
Very nice! It looks better than the ones you buy. Definitely worth the work!:)
jitami
02-09-2009, 10:46 AM
It looks great Stephi!!! I'm sure the next one will be easier ;) :p ;)
dashnu
02-09-2009, 02:39 PM
Thats really cool, would love to see it in "action"
NikkiSixx
02-09-2009, 02:43 PM
that is really neat!!!:D and you do make it look easy...
charles parenteau
02-09-2009, 04:12 PM
Yaman it works ,you did great job honestly !well done
aSnakeLovinBabe
02-09-2009, 04:33 PM
it looks fantastic.... they must be the HAPPIEST SNAKES EVER!!!
crzy_kevo
02-09-2009, 04:36 PM
that is very cool looking
great work :D
ssssnakeluvr
02-09-2009, 09:25 PM
very nice!!!!!
mtolypetsupply
02-09-2009, 09:43 PM
I'm glad you all like it... now, can y'all have a talk with James??? LOLOL!!!!

Seriously, thanks for the compliments. :) It wasn't difficult, it just took a while between coats of everything. It was actually a lot of fun, but I'd do a few things differently.

Next time, I think I'll do Great Stuff instead of Laticrete covered foam. Yes, of COURSE there will be a next time! I *must* spoil Princess Ernestine!!!! The laticrete took too long to dry and to make several coats with, and great stuff "seems" quicker.

Erni doesn't like the larger tubes, so I'll do more pvc.

Might try coating foam with portland, though, so I don't have to use the faux paint. Still might need a few paint washes, but it's fun to play.

I will definitely wait for warmer weather so my project can "live" in the garage instead of on the kitchen table. ;)
mtolypetsupply
02-23-2009, 07:23 AM
Okay, I finally got pics of my "beautiful" (taste the sarcasm there? LOL) hide IN the enclosure for James and Erni.

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3280.jpg

http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3281.jpg

And Erni in her favorite spot!
http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/mtolypetsupply/rock%20hide/IMG_3284.jpg

I think it's a little large for the enclosure, but I'm glad that I left all the pointy-parts on the bottom of it. They really like to hide under it because of them.

I also went up from the 20L to a 40, as you can see. They aren't really all that interested in climbing much anymore, though. I'm hoping it's just their winter slow-down, and they'll be more into it soon.
guidofatherof5
02-23-2009, 07:44 AM
Looks great.
Pinky
02-23-2009, 08:53 AM
WOW, way to turn a pile of junk into a castle!nice job!:)
drache
02-23-2009, 09:31 AM
that turned out really nice
and it's obviously popular
jitami
02-23-2009, 09:54 AM
I really do like it Stephi! That pic of Ernie in the little hole is adorable!
reptile3
02-23-2009, 12:10 PM
Stephi, awesome!! It looks sooo real.:)