Vivariums - DIY 11 | tropical-hobbies

Theme vivariums :

It is the same with Aquariums when we build an aqua topic to reflect and mimic a real underwater environment .. here in vivarium we can do the same to reflect some ideas covered by tropical plants , animals logs and roots to present some african or south american heritage or to reflect the desert vivariums with animals dead bones ..
This type of vivarium called Theme vivarium .
The goal to build the theme and to be close to it ..
to build that you need to study and search about the ancient civilization , theme or idea want to make a vivarium for it and it's requirements ..

It is better to take some examples of DIY projects to know more the details and tips for this kind of vivariums :

Vivarium Design and build ..

Back to the Main Vivarium Page ..

1-DIY Fake Rock Landscape for my Marms

I've been wanting to create some removable landscapes for my marmorata that I house in exo terra 60x45x45 tanks.

I have used foam resourced from packaging. Its basic shape was made using two pieces.

The base was one square piece with suitable hide areas already moulded into it.

The back is a broccoli box lid.

For this project I will also be using:

fast set liquid nails
butane torch
soldering iron
grout
bondall bondcrete
food dye
acrylic paints
pondtite

I've gone with bondcrete instead of usual PVA glue for the grout mix, only because I scored some tins of it for free.

The food dye I use to tint every second layer of grout to help me get full coats each time.
Time for some pictures they will hopefully tell the story better than my words.

Almost done with the shaping, I've used the butane torch to remove square edges blend my rock layers.
I went back and used liquid nails to fill in gaps and cracks otherwise it will take forever with the grout mix.
The gecko idol head is done I have fixed with a skewer for now.

I will do most of its coats of grout off the background and fix it permanently before the last coat.

This is two coats in, you will see the main entrance is not fitted at the moment I wanted to make sure that the grout gets a good coat in that area.

Videos Explaining the Theme Vivariums Construction :

2- Predator fake rock background

After getting good inspiration from some of the posts I decided at making a predator themed background for a carpet python that my girlfriend is getting me for my birthday.

Its a vivexotic A36 so good room for a background.
AX36 Vivarium Tobacco Walnut

so i purchased my grout (B&Q floor grout)
Floor Tile Adhesive & Grout - Concrete Floors - 15kg (5055294016904) | eBay

I also got my polystyrene from eBay 25 sheets of 600mm x 400mm x 25mm.
25x Polystyrene Foam Sheets 600x400x25mm Packing Insulation Expanded EPS SDN | eBay

I used a wood burning kit from Amazon to cut the polystyrene neatly and also was great for melting away edges for detail.

Weller Woodburning and Hobbyists Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

dark grey spray paint
400ml Painters Touch Dark Grey: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I wired all my lights and thermostat and started the first layers of polystyrene that i glued with my hot glue gun which stuck really well.

cut around air vents, hide them later.

Fitted shelves that will be covered with polystyrene.

The theme i was going for was a predator mask sitting on a Inca type shelve. The mask i found on ebay for £20. Really great quality, made from fibreglass.

I got a bit carried away with the rest of the polystyrene and finished it ready for a thin layer of grout.

I used a candle lighter to melt all the polystyrene slightly to give it a more realistic rock look when i applied the first layer of grout. I used expanding foam to fit the mask.

prayed the foam around the edge and waited until there was a skin on it and it was dry to touch on the outside, i then pushed the mask into the foam and let it set. it was then really easy to remove and fit again once the foam set, it also keeps all light from escaping out the sides of the mask.

I done about three very thin layers of grout diluted with water on the shelve so not to lose that much detail and two thicker layers on the background. i spray painted the shelve to make sure it was going to look ok and was hard enough.

I gave it all a first coat of dark grey spray paint that i got from Amazon.

Next is another layer of spray paint, but that's it for now as i have to order more paint.

so since my last post i have given it another coat of spray paint.

Once dry, I used a small pot of light grey model paint and used a dry brush technique to give it extra rock detail.

I have added some moss using pva glue, sprinkle the moss over it and left to dry. helps look more realistic and gives it a good finish. Still have to varnish it tonight then I will add all my branches, vines and artificial plants.