Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! I've got a new cage for my uro, and I'd like to make a nice background for her. That is, a background that goes inside the cage, something for her to climb on etc. Not the kind of just decorative background that goes on the outside of the tank. I was thinking about making one out of styrofoam and then coating it with something so that it 1) gets stronger and 2) she wont be able to dig all the material out. Does anyone know of a non-toxic paint to use for this purpose? Or do you have any other ideas? Also, i was wondering if there is any good way of coating such a background with sand. I tried to do it with the kind of wallpaper glue you make out of starch and water (should be completely harmless, I think), but it didn't work out too well.
V. greatful for any help!

You can use that pink styrene that you get at Home Depot and then paint it with non toxic acrylic paint. Once thats dry , coat it with Marine 2 part epoxy. Right before it dries, sprinkle colored or natural sand in it and it will give some texture and take out the shine. I did it and used it in a 125 gallon Chichlid tank and never had any issues. So in a desert setting it would be real nice. I got the epoxy at a boat store. West lake systems or epoxy.

TT

Thanks for the tip. Just a question: epoxy sounds really nasty to me. Really strong stuff. Or is it that it is so non-dilutable that once it's hardened, it's completely harmless?
Sara

The WestLake Systems 2 part is for the bottoms of boats. Its guarenteed hard and intact for a long time (30 Years). As I said, I used it on a false background in a 125 Gal live fish tank that has been setup for close to a couple years now. Once it cures, its like rock but clear. The stuff also has lil to no smell. Other epoxies may smell or be toxic, so be careful. I called the manufacturer.

TT

n/p