My DIY snakeroom part 2, Backgrounds.

**Tsubaki** · 02-20-15, 11:39 AM

Part one of my snakeroom turned out great, It had one issue in the end of the topic that i'm going to work on in this one. Check out the topic here.
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...-progress.html

If you happened to have read the end of the build topic, we had to take the natural bedding and plants out because of mold issues. (Closer investigations showed the lacquer peeled off, i did not want to risk the construction being damaged so all snakes are on dry woodchucks temporarily ) And there was a tiny problem with annoying little flies....

Anyway without any further delay, part 2 of my snake-room building threads will be fake rock backgrounds for the tubs

. Since i have to seal them all off with epoxy now anyway, i might as well take my time and do it the way i want

After they have been sealed completely a new batch of natural bedding shouldn't be an issue!

My neighbors accepted this package for me, they probably think i'm a terrorist now

Clear industrial epoxy resin, no water ever getting through again.

Here's a picture of the ordered stuff for the backgrounds, about half the required amount haha.

herplover · 02-20-15, 11:42 AM

Your first thread is amazing. Cant wait to see this one come together! thats going to be one hell of a nice setup.

**Tsubaki** · 02-20-15, 11:51 AM

I've decided to test some designs and technique's before starting on the real thing, seemed wise as i have never done anything like this seriously. The following pictures are the Test bit, that is why they are a bit sloppy! None of this will end up in the actual viv's, but it's great to experiment on.

Straight pieces did not look too good.

Random curved pieces looked better.

Trying to carve some shape into them, but since the pieces were only held together by toothpicks it's done a bit crudely. I really like the idea though!

Added tile-glue to see what it would look like.

Not too shabby looking! (Note: really thin layer)

Added some sand to the top part, just to see what it looks like. I kind of like it!

The color it's becoming now that it's starting to dry, highlights and shadows will be painted later on.

**Tsubaki** · 02-20-15, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herplover

Your first thread is amazing. Cant wait to see this one come together! thats going to be one hell of a nice setup.

Thanks

i'll do my best to keep this one interesting. And there is always more to come when we start building Xena's final terrarium!

**Minkness** · 02-20-15, 12:57 PM

Jeezus! That's alot of stuff! Also...love the start you jave on the bg! Can't wait to see it finished. =)

**Tsubaki** · 02-20-15, 11:51 PM

Yeah it's a lot of stuff, n i wonder how far it will take me. I might have enough sculpting material. However I'm sure i don't have enough glue/resin/paint. Thx

**millertime89** · 02-20-15, 11:59 PM

I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product!

**Tsubaki** · 02-21-15, 03:40 AM

So am i! Wish i had more time to work on them, but working fulltime and still doing construction elsewhere... I'm going to do my best though.

dave himself · 02-21-15, 06:42 AM

I'm another one who can't wait to see this finished

David VB · 02-21-15, 08:08 AM

Can you do mine too plz???

**Tsubaki** · 02-21-15, 09:42 AM

Well, i'll try to update as often as possible Dave

And David, i could, but i don't think you'd like my hourly wage !

**Tsubaki** · 03-01-15, 02:10 PM

I have tested many ways of painting, on this picture it looks really messy but i think i found what i want to do

Time to get ready to start!! Cutting up the styrofoam in many shapes, before carving them to look more like stone.

All carved up and ready to start!

**Tsubaki** · 03-01-15, 02:14 PM

My glue looks like garlic in a bucket.

Fitted and glued the first part! (I took pictures every new row i made, but i'll skip a lot of them for your watching convenience!)

**Tsubaki** · 03-01-15, 02:20 PM

Then came a new issue, the RHP is pretty close to the wall. The room will be restricted and have to keep it slim, so i decided to carve a flat piece to make it look like the rest. I think it worked out pretty well, got to remember it will look 100% better after using the tile glue and paints.

So this is the flat piece i made.

I got it pretty thin

And it fits!!

**Tsubaki** · 03-01-15, 02:23 PM

This is the end product!!! I think it looks great so far, can't wait till i can cover it! Wanted to do so today, sadly the Styrofoam glue has to dry for 48h! On top right you can see the slim part where the RPH will be

This entire cutting-fitting-glue process took me about 9,5 hours.