Is this DIY step for fake brick wall ok for enclosure?

Simon17 · 10-04-12, 06:14 AM

I came across this step by step guide when looking for ideas to make my own backgrounds for my snakes, would the materials used in this guide be ok for them??

DIY | Faux Brick Wall Panel | Free Pattern & Tutorial at CraftPassion.com

Gungirl · 10-04-12, 08:37 AM

I would only use something like that with lower moisture snakes. If you want to make it a little better add a thin coat of grout to it, Then seal the grout well. I would see that being ok with anything as long as it wasn't sitting in water or having direct heat on it all the time.

Simon17 · 10-04-12, 10:08 AM

No they wont be in water or anything, it'll be for my Boa,and Carpet python so it'll just be lining the walls of the viv. Might bring it together with bark panels aswell so any heat will only touch the bark rather than the background itself.

Jack C · 10-04-12, 02:39 PM

That looks brilliant,.

bluelephant · 10-10-12, 04:26 PM

One thing - I've used a similar product here in the UK to that stone-effect aerosol spray and in my opinion it wasn't that good. I later used ordinary auto spray paint to stiple and fleck other colouration onto the fake wall. I highly advice that you give the fake wall several thin coats of YACHT VARNISH. Apply one coat at a time with sufficient airing/drying/curing times between each coat. This waterproofs the whole and is easy to wipe clean once a critter has shat on it. The varnish has got to be YACHT VARNISH - it is far superior to anything else. Also it makes the structure more rigid.

A good forum is DENDROBOARDS which is aimed at dart-frogs and has a load of fake back wall tips. Happy surfing and good luck with the project.

Simon17 · 10-11-12, 08:15 AM

See coz my viv is large there isnt anything out there to buy, so im doing all i can before I start making my own back drop. Was thinking instead of the stone effect just paint the bricks redish or do it like a stone grey, but if that effect paint isnt that good then have other ideas to think of, also cheers for the forum tip as its kinda hard searching for real good diy ones that look amazing, plus this will be my first time making one so wanna have everything right!