Homemade Basking Loft

[Puckthemagicdragon]

After reading DIY projects on this website, I decided I had to try to make my own for my new beardie. It was challenging at times, and I almost gave up more than once, but it gets the job done. The columns continually cracked and separated off of the basking area on top, so once our little guy gets full grown I'm not sure how well it will support all of his weight.
Did any of you encounter problems when applying the grout? We did multiple layers, gradually thickening the non-sanded grout each layer - but it kept cracking and breaking.
How well has your homemade basking rock held up?

 

[myxstorie]

I can't offer any experience, but I was wondering what you painted the styrofoam with?

 

[Puckthemagicdragon]

After gluing the styrofoam together with liquid nails (the kind that specifically works on foam), we used four coats of non-sanded grout. Apparently the non-sanded grout is not as strong as the sanded grout, and I am wondering if that's why it's not as sturdy as I imagined. After the grout was dry we sealed it with non toxic sealant. We let it air out outside for 48 hours to make sure any fumes would be gone before bringing into the tank. Hope that helped!

 

[myxstorie]

That's great, thank you! I want to be sure I don't unintentionally use anything that could harm them, so your help is much appreciated.

 

[Lilbear]

Looks real good. The problem with cracking is what I had on a tower I built. I stabilizied it with dowel pins going up center of each styro foam support or leg. My base was fairly large and each successive piece was a tad bit smaller. All pieces were heavily glued with locktite poster board chalk, all purpose panel glue. I used sanded grout and same method you discussed. Thin at first three coats then thick like pudding at final coat. Last coat was heavily dyed with the base color I wanted, then subsequent paint colors added for appearence, good luck.

 

[Puckthemagicdragon]

I think my biggest mistake was not glueing every single sheet together before grouting it. I got a bit over excited, and was so eager to start grouting, that I also used dowel rods through each column, and probably 60 toothpicks to hold everything in place. I used liquid nails to glue some of the main sheets together, but honestly didn't bother glueing everything. I was WAY too excited to get this thing done!

Moral of the story: TAKE YOUR TIME, AND GLUE GLUE GLUE GLUE GLUE. (did I mention GLUE?!) Grout isn't rock hard, so if the foam underneath isn't completely secure and sturdy, the grout easily cracks. This is why the glue is so important, because the foundation of the DIY rock needs to be solid. Because I had never worked with grout, I assumed that the grout would be the most important thing holding this contraption together. When actually, the grout should just be viewed as a thick cover over everything else.

If my boyfriend agrees to help me, I might redo this project again sometime. I really could use his precision and patience with projects. I tend to get so excited and rush through "important" steps. Haha

Also, if you plan on doing this project, make sure you have it sitting on a COMPLETELY flat surface. Again, I was so excited to start grouting that I didnt take the time to clear off a good flat surface. I hurriedly chose an outdoor table for the sole fact that it was cleared off already, and because it wasnt completely flat, I now have columns that don't sit flat on the tile. If you have sand i suppose this wont be an issue, but with tile it is very noticeable. Now, I constantly have to take the entire loft out of the Viv to clean underneath it. Very annoying. And the lopsided columns and staircase really bug me!


Anyway, the main thing you will need for this project is patience... And glue.

 

[Suzan]

I am going to try and make one for Zig. While I was looking for a DIY project I came across this site and i found it had so much information and pics. It also has video's to help. I don't know if this may help you with your project but it looks like a good site to check out. Good luck. These basking rocks are great for beardies and look so nice in viv.

 

[SeanFred]

When I did the rock in my viv, I used 3/4 Insulating foam board from home depot. It's denser then standard hobby grade styrofoam. I also used many coats of sanded grout and sealed it with Minwax Sanding Sealer.

 

[Badmojomn]

I am making a truck load of grouted platforms now. Trick to getting the grout to not crack=several very thin coats, like about 4-5, but mixing the grout until it's pretty runny is what I have been doing, and let each cure at LEAST 24-48 hours, 48 is better in between applications.

Mine are turning out beautiful.
Becky Wheeler on You tube is a good source to watch. I finally found her "dead flat" finish. Had to order online. Check her out, entertaining to watch her, she does excellent work. I am working on an Egyptian platform with matching waterfall for a rainforest lizzard we also have as shown below in their infant stages.

 

[SeanFred]

I have found that misting the grout with water to prevent it from drying too quickly. That will help a lot, although I use sanded grout.

Te technique I use is the first 4 coats are 1/2 oz sanded grout to 3oz water for the first 4 coats (watery) and 1.5 oz sanded grout to 4 oz water for the next 4(pourable).

 

[Badmojomn]

Sounds about right to me. However I don't have to most mine since there is so much humidity in the air here and the grout I use is really runny. Doesn't hurt though.
I never mix mine thick or put it on to thick I between coats . I was told you will have cracks for sure.
I can't wait to get my waterfall grouted and sealed. This is going to be interesting.

 

[Suzan]

You are doing some awesome work and have given me info and insporation for me to try one. Here is one i started. The first coat of grout was watery but no sand in it. The second coat was thick. I hope it stays together :dontknow: , I guess i'll see tomorrow. I havent done any sealing yet just letting it dry.
I love how you have such a great imagination :headbang:. I will continue to watch your post it's great. Im willing to take any idea's that I should add or change something. I hope it stays together for me :roll:

 

[Suzan]

I just checked out becky wheeler and what an AWESOOOME SITE. She is sooo funny :laughhard: and creative. She must be a artist. Thanks for the great suggestion

 

[Badmojomn]

Your welcome! I have been having fun when I have "off time", so it's been taking me longer. That's ok. Everything will be well cured in between coats. Lol

 

[Badmojomn]

Your creation looks great. Make sure you put a bit of extra grout on that back support joint. From the picture I can't really tell how it's attached. Other then that looks really good to me. Should hold up for years. Coat thin, all coats. Or you may experience cracking. I had to split my Egyptian temple in half, cutting it after realizing my daughter misguided me in the dimensions. So, I cut, glued back together and decided to go against my better judgement to thicken up the defect. Well, I should have started over. There is a huge crack on top. But, I'm not finished with other coats yet so I'm trying to have some faith it will cover up better.