cork as a background, your experience

[huhet]

i'm creating a set up for pygmy chameleons and would like to put a background on the tank. the tank is old, so it has a mirrored back which obviously won't do at all. i've heard both good and bad about cork. does anybody have anythign to say either way?

[bear24]

I have only heard good things

[Double J]

Cork bark is great....
a) it is extremely rot resistant. It will last for years even when fully immersed in water
b) plants can and will root themselves on the cork bark
c) it looks fabulous, in both tropical AND desert vivaria
d) The easiest and safest way to disinfect corkbark is to boil some water in a pot on the stove, put the cork in the bucket, and pour thw water over the cork so that it is fully immersed in the water. Let this sit for around 20 mintues and it should be adequately disinfected. I have never tried the bleach method that some places advise, and I would not chance this if the cork wil be used in an amphib tank beacuse the cork is porous, and may absorb some of the bleach.
The only problem I have ever had with cork, is that sometimes, you will get spiders that hitchhike on it. They can be a pain to get rid of...but soaking the cork in hot water before using it should remedy this.
Remember, cork BARK is not the same as CORK BOARD. Cork BOARD contains toxic chemicals that can harm amphibs and/or reptiles
Good Luck
Double J

[Big_V]

Cork BARK is awesome for backrounds. Ive used it with many animals for just decoration or for a peach throat monitor. Its a great climbing surface and adds a real dimension to the style of tank. Just make sure you measure it all out and get the cuts right. And if you have to use multiple pieces a suggestion is that in the cracks fill it with silicone and use fake spanish moss, it looks cool and hides any unwanted silicone for a more natural look. You can also project a piece of corkbark tubing from the back of that tank on like a 30 degree angle and makes a neat little hide spot.
Cheers, Ryan

[Stockwell]

I've used both the natural bark and the square cork tiles which are much easier to apply to flat surfaces.
One thing I noticed is that crickets will eat holes in cork, and so will meal worms.
Cork bark & tiles, looks great, but is very hard to clean. The natural bark is quite expensive if the intent is to cover an entire tank wall..
It's also endangered and is a CITES listed species... Imagine needing permits for your background! LOL
Cork tiles tend to absorb odour, and can become quite smelly after a few years, so you'll need to consider it as having a limited longevity.

I generally just go into the woods or a park and look for dead elm, and strip some big chunks of bark off that. It costs nothing. Replace it when it gets covered with poop