| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 22:55:31
Well folks,here's the reason behind my unusual lack of postings!
I've been working (playing?)at building a new home for Stevie the crestie-he's in charge now....
1/Totally wrecked exo terra backboard,been eaten through by locusts! 
I decided that I would see if I could salvage it and make some high up built in plant holders.
2/Plastic plant pots positioned and masking taped in place.
Flexible drinking straws were poked through the drainage holes in the plant pots to make sure they stayed clear;
Masking tape around the straws keeps a'hidey holey hide' clear.These pics also show how wrecked the board was!
3/I used builders expanding polyurethane foam to create my rough shapes and fix the pots to the backboard-I squirted foam in the holes in the backboard too.
After a couple of hours I was able to rough out the rocky shapes-I just used a serrated kitchen knife.I decided to try and make a platform to raise a small waterfall above the substrate I used a flowerpot that was the right size/height. I didn't want to use a large waterfall as they take up a lot of space AND I've heard of Cresties getting into the pump reservoir and drowning.It's not possible with the small waterfall
I positioned the pots and built up to try and accentuate the deep crevice down the board-to try and make a good hide.This is when I pulled out the 'drainage straws'
4/I used acrylics to paint the backboard and base for waterfall.first I gave the whole board a coat all the same colour,then worked on highlights/texture.I decided to keep the waterfall its original light tones and colour/texture match the new base.
5/in the viv base I put LECA clay balls, then a mesh to keep the substrate from clogging/waterlogging.
after this I added a layer of activated carbon (you can get this from aquatic shops)it keeps the soil fresh.Then I used Black Peat substrate-for spiders/scorpions and the like
6/The plants were off the 'safe list'from the dark side combined with tried and tested (by other Crestie Slaves)and known to be safe.
They included:Weeping fig,Pepperonia,schindipsis,Croton and 'Mind your own business'from near my pond.
preliminary planting
I then added a forest floor bark substrate to cover the soil.Any place I didn't want Stevie to get (small gap between top of backboard and roof of viv,behind waterfall etc,)I filled with the forest bark.Later I will encourage 'Mind your own Business' to grow there.
7/The lighting was a 2% and a 5% u.v. tube and a small halogen if additional heat is needed (NOT needed so far)as the ballast for the lights creates a fair bit of heat and the pump from the waterfall also gives of some heat.The hood and lights are positioned towards the front of the viv-hopefully this will encourage a more natural growth away from the back which should be more secluded.
I added two pieces of aquarium bogwood,and some bio-substrate full of Springtails.I give the plants 10-12 hours of light.
some hidey holes
just above the waterfall is the drainage/cavern around one of the pots
More hidey holes and access to backboard hide.
The plants are beginning to grow now and I'm ready with my little bonsai scissors to keep it all in trim-less is more!
Meanwhile....Stevie is learning all about being handled,licking food off fingers and going into a 'feeding tub' to munch crickets.
Once he's mastered these arcane secrets AND the viv is well established-its all his!
Hope you like this-the backboard is certainly VERY strong now!
Aside from Stevie(he's in charge now..)I built this mainly for O.H.-I know O.H.loves this-there were Gecko's all over the place in the Sultanate Of Oman-where O.H. grew up.... |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 11/10/2013 : 11:09:05
That looks fab, you've done a great job! |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 21:21:46
quote:
Originally posted by Razee
Amazing bit of work, I hope Steve in charge will thoroughly appreciate it :-)
Stevie (he's in charge now)is still waiting for it too become a bit more 'grown up'in the meantime he's learning all about the essential skill of being hand fed |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 21:15:11
quote:
Originally posted by ScaryVonHayleystine
This looks so amazing Meg! im super jealous! Want one myself!
Just send me your poor broken down backboard-and I'll see if I can really mess it up for you!  |
| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 20:04:52
This looks so amazing Meg! im super jealous! Want one myself! |
| Razee |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 16:30:05
Amazing bit of work, I hope Steve in charge will thoroughly appreciate it :-) |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 14:33:48
mj that is awesome
I had such fun doing mine that I would love to be able to find room for another - but unfortunately that isn't going to happen unless I move to a bigger home |
| Boomslang |
Posted - 08/10/2013 : 02:22:46
Cool :) I have 4 waterfalls in the shed,I hated them :P got talked into them,when i first started keeping reps.
Which make strips are you using? |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 22:49:01
quote:
Originally posted by Boomslang
Looks great :) well done How you going to clean that waterfall?I hate them :P pump clogs/stops working lots.And overall gets dirty and full of bacteria.
my bad! I forgot to put up a pic of the waterfall wrapped in cling film-this stops the expanding foam from sticking to it.Basicaly I plonked the wrapped waterfall on top of the plant pot,then sprayed the foam.When the foam was cured I just lift the waterfall off,then peel off the clingfilm.
The base can then be carved and painted to suit,and the waterfall is a perfect fit! It also means that the waterfall just lifts off as it is merely sat on a (secure)base.
I bought a 2l pressure pump-up plant sprayer from Aldi for 99p-with this I can jet clean the waterfall/refill it (it needs topping up daily due to splash/evaporation).I can also direct a gentler jet to specific plants,and of course mist then put the lights out(prevents burns on the leaves).
It makes me smile to see the water dripping out of the hidden drainage channels under the planters- simple things,simple minds  |
| Redware |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 22:07:47
Great job there, a real masterpiece! |
| Boomslang |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 21:49:45
Looks great :) well done How you going to clean that waterfall?I hate them :P pump clogs/stops working lots.And overall gets dirty and full of bacteria. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 21:45:39
Wow mj, that is seriously impressive, well done! |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 20:51:54
 aww thanks you guys...Really thanks:
when I joined this forum I was re-learning to live with a 'life limiting' illness.Now because of TCS I can use a computer and camera(sort of!)and I find my memory is getting better-well I remember to feed/clean/cuddle my snakies! and I have even been into some schools with various scaley beasties-and been asked back (not to apologize!).
So,thank you for the feedback,sharing knowledge and encouragement.I would have NEVER attempted a project like this before. |
| Charles |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 20:34:15
Astounding! |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 15:34:34
wow, just wow |
| Lee |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 09:31:42
That is fantastic, what a beautiful job you've done. I would be really proud of that. |
| Snakeysal |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 07:27:00
Wow! That is an absolute work of art. Stevie will think he is royalty! |
| Moppet |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 06:39:36
It looks great! Lucky Stevie! |
