'Natural' enclosure

[Rubix]

I have a 10 Gallon aquarium, and as a little project this summer, I gave it 'rock' walls and bottom. I will be keeping a pair of juvie leo's in there until they are big enough that they need to be housed seperately (right now one is about 6.5", and the other a little smaller than that), but I've encountered a problem...

The bottom is very uneven, with lots of caves and dips in it and stuff, and in several places I'd like to level it out, and the only substrate I can see as suitable for that would be sand. I know a lot of people use it without problems, and other are very... heated, in their objection to it. I'm aware of all the problems and such, I don't need a lecture in that area :p

If I were to use it, the floor would be perhaps 1/2 sand and 1/2 rock. The sand would be moistened and dried to pack it down, and the leo's would be fed in a seperate enclosure. Are the risks still too high? And if anyone has any alternative substrate I haven't thought of (keep in mind I want it to look as natural as possible) please, throw them on out there!

[Vengeance]

I have no idea if this is a viable substrate so someone please correct me if I wrong, but what about grouting the open spaces? If it's rock it should hold the open spaces, and once it hardens, it should be pretty solid. Not sure of any gas that it may or may not give off if and when heated, you would use the same stuff that you put between the tiles in your bathroom. Again just an uninformed suggestion, I have no idea if it's a viable option.

[Rubix]

Not an option, unfortunatly :( I've always used my stepdad's shop and all of his supplies to work on my reptile enclosures, so everything I would need is there... However, my mom and him are going through an extremely messy separation right now, none of us kids are even allowed to talk to him. It's a big legal mess.

[Rebecca]

Try plaster of paris. It should be fine. You can even buy some non-toxic paint to match it to the rest.

[Brock]

Plaster of paris is a good idea. I had the same problem and I just got some thin slate and broke it up into the right sized pieces and stick them into the little gaps etc. Works very well and doesn't take away from the natural look, you could also get some drift wood and place it over the gaps and spaces, and it will offset the uneven look and make it look natural. It wouldn't be THAT even in nature anyways.

-Brock

[RazzleMcDazzle]

Rubix,

Please let me know what you end up using. I am using 'natural' like ceramic tiles, and I need the same thing. The gaps between them get crickets and poop stuck in them.... and filling them would be easier then pulling everything out all the time. Right now I only cover 1/2 the floor in tile and the whole thing in newspaper, that way the tiles dont smack the bottom too hard, and cleaning is easier.

Glad I am not the only one who wants to give them something other then Rubermaid and "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" to live in.

[Rubix]

Has anyone here used plaster of paris for this kind of project before? It's sounding pretty good, only I wonder how well it would lend itself to cleaning.

[RazzleMcDazzle]

I would think the plaster of paris would break down if they mess near it, and you needed to clean.... or if you misted them while in that tank. I thought of sand as well... but I have juvie's and I dont want them eating the sand around the parimeter of the tank as the nad their din-din.

[Rubix]

Originally posted by RazzleMcDazzle

Glad I am not the only one who wants to give them something other then Rubermaid and "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" to live in.

Creating enclosures that are as close to the animal's natural habitat as I can get it is half the fun of owning herps :D

And I was thinking the same thing about the p.o.p... If I can get a hold of the parging mix I used for the rest of the enclosure, I might be able to build it up enough, and I wouldn't have to worry about matching up to the rest. I'll see how things go

[Ptindy]

Whats wrong with rubbermaid. Makes a way better naturalistic enclosure in terms of climate for herps. After correct climate, hides, food, water and a couple other necessities depending on species (perches, burrowing/digging substrate, etc.) is provided for a herp the rest is for YOUR well being. Some people don't need to see their herps in viewing tanks to get the pleasure of owning and raising them.

[Rubix]

I don't see anything wrong in creating a piece that I will also enjoy and take pride in, as long as all the needs of the animal are met, which I am completely prepared to do. Not to mention I only have a few herps, not the many that a lot of breeders have. Part of the enjoyment of owning my reptiles is taking care of them, and if I have the time required to properly maintain a show quality enclosure, then why not?

Cheers

[RazzleMcDazzle]

I am also considering using Rubbermaid, but I also like the pleasure others get from viewing them, without having to explain that the plastic tub is as good, if not better then a nice tank. I wasn't critazing it at all.... almost everyone here has more experience then I do with herps. I agree that my Geckos well being is more important then seeing them in a pretty tank. If you can have both..... why deny yourself?

Thanks for your point of veiw Ptindy, but as I said, I was just glad to hear some one else share my desire for a functional display. I am also glad that others were helping Rubix out to achive it.

Troy

[Ptindy]

Now that I read my post it makes it sound like I was getting hostile or something. Sorry. I agree with the nice display though. When my snakes and stuff are big enough I myself plan on moving them in adult display cages. I would rather just buy them one or two rubbermaids then buy one or two tanks on their way up to their permanent enclosure. Their adult enclosures will be made of wood and stuff tho. I don't know if i'm going to make them myself or pay someone to do it. If I have the money I'll definately pay Greg West or something, but we'll have to see when the time comes.

Mike

[Rebecca]

I used POP lots it works great. The cleaning was ok because my leos always used the tile part of their cage for their toilet. I found with my bearded dragon though that when it went to the bathroom on it and I didn't get it while still warm type thing it did stain it. You could clean it but it just kinda looked dirty still. I ended up moving my BD so I'm not sure how it would stand up for a long period of time. If it's just filling cracks though go for it. It looks ok and is SOOOO easy to use.