1st 3D Background

[SerpentFeather]

Hey All!

I just finished building my first ever 3D background for my Jungle Carpet Python. Here are a few pics.
Pretty much immediately after finishing the background I was rearing to go build a second (and better) one. But i'm pretty happy with the result overall (As is Spectre :) ).

What do you guys think?

Thanks!
-G

[AlexCrazy]

wow! it looks like something you could buy!! so asome! how did you make it? if you wouldn't mine explaining! it would be great for me.. who has to import to have decoration.. (third world country's don't have stuff for snakes) :D

[jossh27]

thats looks great. are the two hides big enough for your snake to get in or they just for looks?

[trailblazer295]

Do you ship to Canada? Very cool looking.

[Jim Smith]

VERY nice work!!! It really adds a nice look to your enclosure. Thanks for sharing.

[SerpentFeather]

thats looks great. are the two hides big enough for your snake to get in or they just for looks?

Yeah! he loves his hides (especially his warm hide [it's winter in Oz right now so he may start enjoying his cool hide in a few months]) and spends most of the day in the raised hide.
By the end of the year he'll probably outgrow his hide though. Just an excuse to build a new background ;)

[SerpentFeather]

Do you ship to Canada? Very cool looking.

Thanks a ton for the interest! At this point I'm not shipping to Canada purely for logistical reasons, but I'll definitely let you know if I figure out a way to do it! It's a huge compliment to me that you are interested in my backgrounds!

[SerpentFeather]

wow! it looks like something you could buy!! so asome! how did you make it? if you wouldn't mine explaining! it would be great for me.. who has to import to have decoration.. (third world country's don't have stuff for snakes) :D

No worries! It's a pretty straightforward process and I'm sure you'd be able to pull it off!

- Start by finding lots and lots of styrofoam (polystyrene)
- Cut a flat sheet of polystyrene so it fits the back of your enclosure
- Carve rocks / hides / shelves or anything you like (I've even seen some people make water features!)
- Use an adhesive (like liquid nails) to attach the carved pieces to your background
- make sure to double check that the background fits in the enclosure frequently (I had to do a bit of trouble shooting when my extension didn't quite fit)

- Use Thin coats of grout to coat the entire background. The thin coat fills in all of the little cracks
- gradually use thicker coats of grout (I used 5 coats) as the grout adds structural strength (especially when making ledges/perches for a heavy reptile)

- Paint the grouted background using any acrylic paint
- use a spray bottle with watered down acrylic paint to add many colours, shades, layers to the background, this way you can get some really cool layered effects that can really look natural!

- Finally you have to seal the whole background (including the back, bottom and sides)
- the sealant will keep your background waterproof and allow you to sanitise the background :D

Thats pretty much it! To carve the styrofoam you can use a knife, a hot wire or a soldering iron (but be careful because the fumes from melting foam is super toxic, so wear a dust mask at least or better yet a respirator, and work in a well ventilated area)

I hope this helps and good luck with your first 3D background!! :D

for more help, check out LizardLandscapes on youtube or his website. He's suuuuper helpful and makes some absolutely stunning reptile environments from foam!

https://www.youtube.com/user/LizardLandscapes

Also if you'd like some more pictures and step-by-step instructions check out my blog post about it:

Adventures in Enclosure Construction: 1st 3D Background (http://adventureenclosures.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/hey-all-here-is-my-first-attempt.html)

Thanks so much for your interest and compliments! I'm very flattered!

Cheers,
G

[trailblazer295]

Thanks a ton for the interest! At this point I'm not shipping to Canada purely for logistical reasons, but I'll definitely let you know if I figure out a way to do it! It's a huge compliment to me that you are interested in my backgrounds!

With my artistic skills are I can barely draw a stick figure with a ruler. I can organize wood etc to look half decent but in terms of creating something like that no way. I can fix things sure but that's it. For sure let me know,I have a feeling a crested gecko tank is in my future and a bad uh behind background would be a nice addition.

[SerpentFeather]

VERY nice work!!! It really adds a nice look to your enclosure. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers! Thanks for the encouragement :D

[Albert Clark]

Fantastic craftsmanship! Congrats.

[AlexCrazy]

Thanks soo much for the instructions! i will make one for my tarantula now.. and then latter on for my snake.. its so nice to have people that are willing to share there skills and instructions!

[SerpentFeather]

Thanks soo much for the instructions! i will make one for my tarantula now.. and then latter on for my snake.. its so nice to have people that are willing to share there skills and instructions!


My pleasure and Good Luck! post pictures of them when you finish up! :) I'm sure you'll be able to make something cool!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbl7SvTzM60
This is a great video on making more tree-like backgrounds :)

[Sasha2]

That is awesome. I want to do something like this if I end up with the carpet python. Im sure it wont be as nice as yours though.