Since this will be your first time making faux-rock I would make the styro panels outside of the cage and then attach them to the inside once you are happy with them. You can fill any joints with some great stuff and a bit more topcoat.



A few more tips:



Expanded polystyrene is supposed to be easier to carve than styrofoam. Basically the dense pink or blue sheets you see at Home Improvement centers. These usually come in two densities, get the denser if you can.



A butane torch or some solvent sprayed onto carved polystyrene adds a lot of texture that is hard to duplicate with a knife. I have heard of using acetone as a solvent but assume you'd have to have an all-metal sprayer as it would melt plastic. Obviously be VERY careful if you decide to spray solvent and use ventilation. Also use ventilation if you melt it with a torch.



Do not paint concrete or tile grout if you can avoid it. Instead use concrete dye and/or stains to get the color you want.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

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