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Old 13-05-2008, 10:00 AM
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looking great!

It's probably just the pictures..but is it ventilated?
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Old 13-05-2008, 10:48 AM
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Very nice mate !
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Old 13-05-2008, 04:13 PM
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Good Job !!!
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Old 13-05-2008, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mason View Post
It's probably just the pictures..but is it ventilated?
Yeah. I'm glad someone raised that issue - It's well ventilated nearer the top. It's not shown on the pictures though.

Here are the pictures as promised for the past few days...


Two of the three shelves on the back.


Closeup of a shelf


And this is ye ole' waterin' hole. Basically a plastic tub with expanding foam. Simple but effective when painted -


(The paint was wet, that's why it looks shiny)


Finished shelf.


Finished basking spot


Finished! (Note: You can even see the "trial glass" if you look closely enough on the right hand side.)

Thanks for all the positive comments guys.
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Old 13-05-2008, 09:33 PM
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Any tips on what materials you used? for grouting, paintins, spraying etc. Lots of different colours in the rock bits.

nicely done btw
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Old 13-05-2008, 10:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Nash View Post
Any tips on what materials you used? for grouting, paintins, spraying etc. Lots of different colours in the rock bits.

nicely done btw
Thanks!

Yeah I've got plenty tips. There's only one tip I'm lacking. How to get expanding foam off your fingers and the floors .

Anyway -

Most of it is just expanding foam. after sealing the tank around the floor, I just sprayed foam along the back till it looked good enough (Note: It expands to 3 times the size).

The remainder of the back is just tile grout applied randomly with the spreader tool that was in the tub, left to dry then painted.

I've only used one colour of paint in the WHOLE tank. Just mixed some sand in with the paint and it changes the effect drastically, making it far more realistic.

For cutting polystyrene, there's only one tip you will need. Get a small hacksaw blade, heat it up for a few seconds on a cooker hob and just hold it on the polystyrene and it'll slice through like butter into any shape you want. Do this in a well ventilated area though.

For cutting the expanding foam, let it dry first then use a regular Stanley knife.

The expanding foam dries fairly fast. It cures quicker if you mist it VERY slightly with a misting bottle. It also apparently helps it stick but I didn't think so. It did however help it stick to my skin and not come off for the next 3 days.

Any other tips feel free to ask

Edit: I just noticed the smiley face I drew in the sand. (Just under the pile of rocks at the basking spot)
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Old 13-05-2008, 10:16 PM
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what paint did you use mate, looks top notch!
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Old 13-05-2008, 10:50 PM
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I honestly can't remember, as I threw the paint can out. To be 100% I think it doesn't really matter what paint as long as it's covered with something i.e Varnish and all the fumes are left to disappear before adding an animal.

Acrylic is generally the favourite though as far as everyone thinks.
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Old 14-05-2008, 12:37 AM
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great viv

and haha about the expanding foam on your fingers
my boss used some the otherday on something and got some on his hands...so wipped it with the other and had it stuck to his hands for days...
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Old 14-05-2008, 10:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcrickydiva View Post
great viv

and haha about the expanding foam on your fingers
my boss used some the otherday on something and got some on his hands...so wipped it with the other and had it stuck to his hands for days...
It's a nightmare. It refuses to come off even with soap. Had to use sandpaper.
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