Quikrete on foam background question...

[Eldemarco]

So I've built the below enclosure insert using polystyrene foam, and using quikrete with liquid color. My question (or rather questions) are as follows:
1. How many layers of concrete should I add to the foam?
2. will the color rub off on my beardie if I don't use a sealant on the concrete?

 

[Claudiusx]

What did you decide to do? Your structure looks great.

Layers will depend on thickness of your coats. Typically i'd do 2 or 3 light coats and 1 or 2 heavier coats. Especially in a higher traffic area of the build.

Depends on the colorant you used. In most cases it bonds pretty well to the cement mixture. Once cured it shouldn't transfer to your dragon. But tbh, i'm not 100% sure on that. It will depend on what exactly you used.

-Brandon

 

[Eldemarco]

What did you decide to do? Your structure looks great.

Layers will depend on thickness of your coats. Typically i'd do 2 or 3 light coats and 1 or 2 heavier coats. Especially in a higher traffic area of the build.

Depends on the colorant you used. In most cases it bonds pretty well to the cement mixture. Once cured it shouldn't transfer to your dragon. But tbh, i'm not 100% sure on that. It will depend on what exactly you used.

-Brandon

I did 2 heavy coats, and let it dry for 2 days. After that, I did a good spray coating of acrylic cure and seal and let it set. Did a test with water droplets and a rub test, and so far it is sound. Now I just have to figure out wtf I'm doing with the lighting.

 

[Claudiusx]

Do you have pictures of it now? Curious to see how it looks after the sealer.

What questions do you have about lighting?

-Brandon

 

[Eldemarco]

Do you have pictures of it now? Curious to see how it looks after the sealer.

What questions do you have about lighting?

-Brandon

I used a clear Matte sealer, so the look of it is about the same.
With the lighting, I'm trying to figure out how to set up the UVB and heating. It's a 36x18 tank, 24" tall, but with the height of the insert, the basking area is about 7-8 inches from the top. So it seems to me like I can't really put a T5 inside without it being too close to the beardie, and can't put it on the mesh without having to put the heat lamps on the empty side of the tank not even pointed at the basking area
Here's a pic as well of the beardie, little Athena.