| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
 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.... |
|
|
Moppet
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3315 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 06:39:36
|
| It looks great! Lucky Stevie! |
2.4.0 Corn snakes
1.0.0 horse
0.1.0 Golden retriever
1.4.0 Guinea pigs |
 |
|
|
Snakeysal
Hatchling
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 07:27:00
|
| Wow! That is an absolute work of art. Stevie will think he is royalty! |
Sally
1.0.0 Anery - Omar
1.0.0 Cat - Oscar |
|
|
|
Lee
Yearling
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 09:31:42
|
| That is fantastic, what a beautiful job you've done. I would be really proud of that. |
1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x |
|
|
|
scottishbluebird
it is all my fault
United Kingdom
8403 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 15:34:34
|
| wow, just wow |
     
0.1.0 Corn - Kellogs
1.0.0 Hognose - Storm
0.1.0 Staffy - Lyla
1.0.0 Spaffy(staffy x springer)-Spyro
1.0.0 Ferret - Peanut R.I.P
0.1.0 Crestie - Fudge. Wish List - Pygmy hedgehog. Tropiocolotes |
|
|
|
Charles
Hatchling
United Kingdom
229 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 20:34:15
|
| Astounding! |
1.1.0 Jim Caramel Tessera, Rosie Motley
 |
|
|
|
mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
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. |
|
|
|
smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 21:45:39
|
| Wow mj, that is seriously impressive, well done! |
       |
|
|
|
Boomslang
Hatchling
United Kingdom
340 Posts |
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. |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
2.1.0 pygmy chameleons
 |
|
|
|
Redware
Hatchling
United Kingdom
412 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2013 : 22:07:47
|
| Great job there, a real masterpiece! |
    
Corns: 1.2.0 Caramel Tessera Het Stripe ph lots (Oak) Caramel (Willow) Caramel Stripe Het Amel (Juniper)
Royals: 1:1:0 Lesser Pastel (Bismuth) Cinna Spin (Indium) |
|
|
|
mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
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  |
|
|
|
Boomslang
Hatchling
United Kingdom
340 Posts |
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? |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
2.1.0 pygmy chameleons
|
|
|
|
Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
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 |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
|
|
|
Razee
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2525 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 16:30:05
|
| Amazing bit of work, I hope Steve in charge will thoroughly appreciate it :-) |
0.1.0 late CB10 Carolina corn snake - Bazilishka
1.0.0 CB11 Abbots Okeetee- Little Twiddler
1.0.0 CB11 Hypo corn- Sebastianek
1.0.0. CB14 Butter Motley - Squidwood
0.0.2 CB18 normal/ Okeetee yearlings Bunny and Lalalishka
0.0.1 hognose
0.1.0 stable cat
0.1.0 house cat |
|
|
|
ScaryVonHayleystine
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1773 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2013 : 20:04:52
|
| This looks so amazing Meg! im super jealous! Want one myself! |
Albino Addiction ... <3
0.1.0 - Creamsicle Cornsnake (Mo)
1.0.0 - Bubblegum Snow Corn (Gabriel)
1.0.0 - Lavendar 100% Het Hypo Corn (Ezra)
1.0.0 - Bairds Rat Snake (Lazarus)
0.0.1 - Crested Gecko (Pan) |
|
|
|
mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
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! |
|
|
|
mjpeters
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1539 Posts |
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 |
|
|
|
lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 11/10/2013 : 11:09:05
|
| That looks fab, you've done a great job! |
 
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Stevie's new pad-or rescue of wreck backboard!
