Foam Rock Project Nearly Done

[Ben10dragon]

I've been making a foam rock background for a 6ft x 18inch x 18inch tank. It has taken me ages to get this far but I am finally done the rock work part. I thought I would post a few pictures of my work so far. I got a new phone in the middle of it so I don't have my pictures from the very very beginning of cutting the foam (well I do, I'm just to lazy to charge my old phone to find them ). I love how it has turned out but I don't think I would ever attempt a project like this again. It took way too long and cost way too much haha. I still have to make a lid for it to mount the lights, but I'm hoping to have one of my baby beardies move in in the next week or two.

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I used rigid foam insulation that was hot glued together for the structure. It is covered with about 5 layers of grout then painted with acrylic paint. I sealed it with 3-4 layers of diluted Gorilla wood glue. I haven't tested the heat lamp on it yet so I'm hopeful it will stand up to the high temperatures.

[CooperDragon]

Looks great! Does it add a lot of weight to the enclosure?

[Ben10dragon]

Looks great! Does it add a lot of weight to the enclosure?

Thanks!! Yes, it's quite heavy. But the tank itself is far too heavy to be easily moved so it doesn't matter much.

[Ben10dragon]

Finally complete! Godzilla is enjoying his new home!
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[claudiusx]

Finally complete! Godzilla is enjoying his new home!
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Awesome! Looks great.

I gave up on making my full tank ones lol. I'll just stick to making smaller size pieces for my tanks. Props to you for putting in all that effort!

-Brandon

[Ben10dragon]

Finally complete! Godzilla is enjoying his new home!
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Awesome! Looks great.

I gave up on making my full tank ones lol. I'll just stick to making smaller size pieces for my tanks. Props to you for putting in all that effort!

-Brandon

Thanks! I don't blame you for changing your plan. It was alot more work than I anticipated. I wish I'd started out by making one for my small tank before doing this one because I probably would have done things differently. Oh well, live and learn, right? I was just checking out the tank you are building. Can't wait to see the finished product!

I eventually want to make another tank out of a dresser or cabinet for my other beardie since she is just in a 40 gal right now. I think I'll wait a while though and see how this foam rock work holds up first before I start anything new.

[MrSpectrum]

It was alot more work than I anticipated.

IME, they always are. After watching a boatload of videos on how foam landscaping is done, I decided to go with natural materials, e.g. real stone & wood. It probably weighs more, and may be more expensive (I didn't actually price it out), but it' a LOT less work, and that's worth something too.

That said, your results are beautiful, and I like the tank size (I'm doing a 5' x 2' x 2')

YMMV.