Reptile & Amphibian Forums

when i redo my adult iggs cage i want to put a fake tree in two of the corners..

but could i shape it out of the expandable foam that comes in a can and them plater or put cement over than just as a protective coat? he wont be climbing on it its just for looks
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
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YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

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i would paint it before putting the cement over it... just for double protection. cement is an extremly porous material, and if it cracks, chips off, or if the foam is that toxic the fumes could seep thru the concrete. a water based semigloss should work nicely to seal it in.
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If the decorations are just for appearance you may just use something like painted plaster (plaster of paris - you can get it at walmart or any craft/home center). The spray foam is a bit expensive, I use it to make backgrounds in tanks and other enclosures. It is not toxic when fully cured, so that isn't a problem. I will be working on some plaster stuff in a few months when I get a bigger place and make a new enclosure for my iggs.
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www.hullabalooherps.com

well they are kind of for decoration but i want to make a branch that strehes the leghth of the wall in the closet and i am going to mold the foam and plaster around that white metal shelving you can buy at home depot. that way it will look like he is sitting on the branch. i just wanted to make sure that the plaster would stick to the foam...

also if i were to put a small shallow pool in the cage so it will keep the humididty up and so he can soak what would the best way be to filter it and heat it? i was thinking about a fluvial filter but im not sure where i would put the heater...
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
My Email

YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

R.I.P INDIAN LARRY

Keep in mind iguanas are pretty heavy and have some sharp claws...that might make it difficult to keep the decorations from getting tore up. I am guessing there may be some type of sealant you could use to give it a "hard" finish. I wouldn't use a filter in the water dish. It will get fouled up way more than a filter could possibly keep up with . You may just want to make it so the water tub can pull out for easier cleaning or have one with a drain in it. You could always hook up an airstone to a cheap air pump to help increase the humidity. Or you could use a humidifier. I wouldn't use a heater in the water dish...could break and injure the iguana. Hope this helps. Post info and pics when you finish!
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www.hullabalooherps.com

ill post pics when i am done. it will be a while because i am still not sure how i am going to do everything. and i am going to tray and find out how to gt a hard finish on it. i think i may put a layer of plaster and then a thicker layer of cement and then top it off with another layer of plaster to give it a smooother finish and it should be pretty hard.
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
My Email

YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

R.I.P INDIAN LARRY

check into using marine epoxy. i plan to use it to cover my foam, just havent gotten around to it. i do know that stuff is very hard, and the brand they have at home depot is approved by the FDA for using on cutting boards, so it should be fine for an iggy.
other ppl on here know more about it than i, i havent used it yet.
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thanks for the help.. ill put up another post about suing that stuff..
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
My Email

YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

R.I.P INDIAN LARRY