Redesigning Viv For New Baby * Pics Updated 1/5/14 *

[DeweysMom]

As most of you probably know by now I recently lost Dewey and will be getting a new baby sometime in March or April. In the meantime I’m giving the viv a complete makeover and will be replacing just about everything so the new baby will have all brand new things.

The first step was to strip and repaint the inside of the viv. It was originally a brown pattern, but I repainted in a grey pattern. Grey is actually my favorite color and my room is painted grey so it’s a good fit in my room. I was shooting for a different pattern, but I didn’t have the right kind of paint so it wasn’t working. So I ended up doing the same style that I did or Dewey.

I’m going to look into getting a darker grey / slate type of tile for the flooring.

In the new few weeks I’m going to get some Styrofoam to make new rock caves too so the wood pieces that are in there right now likely won’t be staying, same for the rock structure in there now. I just wanted to see what it looked like with stuff inside.

Now I have a question. When I paint the rock structures that I’m going to be making, I’m thinking of doing in a rusty orange / terra cotta type of color. Then I got to thinking maybe I should do more of a dark red / burgundy kind of color. Do you think one of these colors would look better with the grey theme? Would you rather recommend a different color?

Here are some pics.

This is the old style the day I moved Dewey into his new home.


The new paint job.


The new paint job with some additional stuff inside just for an idea.


I'll post more photos as I go along. Although, it likely won't be for a while as I still need to pick up a bunch of supplies.

 

[DeweysMom]

Not really much of an update, but I got the grilles and circular vents back in. I also finished putting several coats of Mod Podge on the walls so the painting part of this is all finished.

 

[12BERP]

Where did you get your hide at ???

 

[DeweysMom]

I actually made it out of Styrofoam. There's a thread here somewhere with some instructions, but I don't have it handy right now.

 

[DeweysMom]

I had a heck of a time finding tiles today. I first went to Home Depot where I was informed that they do not cut tiles anymore because of a recent accident. The interior of this viv is 22x46 so I needed to get some tiles trimmed. The lady also told me that Lowe's wouldn't do it for me either. Still, I took my chances and headed over there to see what they had. I found out that they DO cut tiles and they had a much better selection. I found a tile that I really liked, but the guy who tried trimming them kept breaking them by accident. He finally decided to try to cut them into smaller pieces and finally got it to work. Unfortunately, he trimmed 2 of them just a touch too big so now I have about 1/4" of the last tiles that's overlapping. I can't get them to sit flush on the floor. It's not worth the hassle of bringing them back or getting more tiles cut. I'm just going to make do with them somehow. I was at Lowes for about 2 hours just to get 8 tiles cut! What a day! :shock:

Anyway, here are a couple of updated pics with the new tiles down. I also picked up the Styrofoam to make new rock structures so that'll start this week too. More pics will come.





PS. Yes, that wooden box on the right is Dewey. I got his ashes back last Saturday. Until I can find him an appropriate urn I'll be keeping him in his viv on his blankie. I still miss my boy like crazy, but it's nice to have him home where he belongs.

 

[TareLee]

I love this!!! beautiful viv!

And I think getting Dewey's ashes is an amazing thing. I cremated my tarantula when she passed.

 

[DeweysMom]

Alright… so here are some new pics of the viv.

As I said in my earlier post, the tiles wouldn’t sit flush with the floor so I got all clever and decided to cut some Styrofoam to put under the last two tiles. This not only gives it a nice step up look, but it also helped me to get within the 6-8” range for the Reptisun. I’ll be painting the Styrofoam a black/gray color so hopefully it’ll blend in nicely with the tile.

Today I spent the day playing with Styrofoam to make some basking platforms. This is what I came up with. It’s completely hollowed out underneath both platforms so the dragon will have plenty of hiding space when/if he wants it. The empty corner on the right will eventually hold a hammock and a little bed beneath with a blankie. Then the food dishes will be up front.

The glue is setting tonight. Tomorrow or Friday, most like Fri, I’ll start the grout process. I’m horrible because I’m not a patient person. I’m going to have this thing finished with tons of time to spare. I’m just so anxious to see the final project.

What do you think so far?

 

[Teage29]

That looks amazing! Your next little one will love it! And I'm sorry to hear about Dewey.

 

[DeweysMom]

Thanks, I'm anxious to see it finished!!

 

[fruitloopslave]

LOVE IT!!!! The hideouts and basking spots are amazing i might steal your idea in my own viv

 

[DeweysMom]

Thanks go for it! Honestly, I looked at the Viv Only thread and also Googled fake rock photos to get some inspiration. Give it a shot. It’s pretty fun!

~~

So I decided to make another platform. My baby WILL need a bed after all! So that smallest piece on the right corner will be where his blankie will be. I also hung a paper towel in there to use as a hammock just to see what it would look like. I'm pretty impressed with my handy work!

 

[mortitia]

I actually made it out of Styrofoam. There's a thread here somewhere with some instructions, but I don't have it handy right now.

Would love it if you had time to post a 'how I did it' it looks way better than the ones you can buy. I can see you doing this commercially. I would definitely buy one

Marie

 

[Claudiusx]

Looks great!

Can't wait for the new baby!
Any breeders you're looking at or types of dragons?

-Brandon

 

[DeweysMom]

Marie – Thanks! It’s actually very easy. You just get some Styrofoam, cut it into the design you want, glue it together, throw a few coats of grout over it, paint it, and then seal it. I don’t think it would be worth making them to sell just because by the time you’re done the bigger pieces can be pretty heavy. Shipping would cost a fortune plus the packaging involved, just wouldn’t be worth it. Give it a shot though. It really is fun!

Brandon – Thanks! It’s been a lot of fun. I feel like I’m rushing through it though and I have no idea why. I can’t get the new baby until March so I have plenty of time. I can’t wait to get one either. It’s going to be a long couple of months! I do have 4 breeders in mind; TnD Dragons, Queen City Dragons, FairyTail Dragons, and Carolina Classic Dragons. It matters on who has what available when I get to that point. I may find more breeders too. There are a few who have definitely been ruled out, they are the larger scale breeders and I don’t like how they’re running things.

As for what kind of dragon I’m looking for. I want one who looks different from Dewey I know that. I’m thinking along the lines of a citrus leatherback. I would prefer a male so I don’t have to deal with the egg laying thing, but I might go female if one catches my eye. We’ll see!

 

[Claudiusx]

Ohh I can't wait. Beardie window shopping is so fun. I can't wait to see the little guy you pick.

-Brandon