Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking to paint some of the great stuff in my viv to look like natural rock. Is there ANY paint that I could use?

I can't think of any totally safe paints off hand, or any safe powdered water-soluble colors that wouldn't leach out, but you could possibly sprinkle the foam with fine sand while it's still wet and expanding, much like some people attach cocoanut fiber and other substrate to it for different effects. Depending upon where you live, finding fine sand of an appropriate color might be problematic. Around here, we have some dunes in the desert and nicely colored volcanic sand in various places, or even more coarse stuff from the cinder cones. Even if I haven't helped you, it's given me an idea to try myself on the next vivarium.

You could perhaps also sprinkle on the water soluble coloring powders and then seal the whole with Jasco transparent "Cure-Seal." Or perhaps you could add the powders to the first couple of coats of this relatively safe, non-toxic sealant as a paint, then cover again with a clear coat or two of it to prevent color leaching. I've used the sealant and know it is safe for vivariums, but have never used it in this manner before.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris