So Much FUN --- Viv build complete with new resident

[PicosParent]

Very nice!!!! I am going to post the pics of the one my hubby built me last year for Christmas. It is a beardie condo with a "door" between the sides so they can visit each other or we can close it if one of them is "grumpy".

 

[RangoB]

Cool Idea -- would love to see pic's

 

[danb]

You've done a great job. Your's is one of the first stone creations I like. I think it's the cave look. Can you explain how you made it and what you used? How did you create the underside rock shape? Assuming it was Styrofoam with a clay or something to create the rock affect, but would like to know from the expert.

 

[RangoB]

Thanks - A natural stone look was what i was after - and it came out pretty nice. I used the pink styrofoam from home depot ( insulation board ) and glued multiple pieces together ( found out that the best glue was a hot glue gun with low temp glue sticks from a craft store ) I just rough cut pieces with a razor knife to create the main shape your after and glued them together - then I took a dremel with a sanding drum and went to town carving it - trying not to make it flat and smooth instead add gouges and crevices to shape it like real rock . Then I blew the dust off and I used non sanded grout in a color you want to show in the ridges - mixed thin and applied it with a paint brush - let dry and apply again - maybe a little thicker - let dry - and then I used sanded grout in the main color you want and again mix fairly thin and apply with a paint brush , after it dryed a short time I took a wet sponge and lightly wiped off the sanded grout on some of the ridges to expose the other color - let dry and do it again , mixing it thicker - let dry and wipe again till you get the multi color effect that looks natural and that you like . You can put on as many coats of each as you like - I would recommend at least to of each. or add more colors of you choose . after your happy with the colors it's time to let it dry well - and then seal it - I used shellac ( because it's hypo allergenic and food safe )applied with a brush and did 3 coats , make sure you let dry until the smell of the shellac is gone - maybe a day ? - what I found out - is that the grout and sealer continue to harden for a long time - and to begin with it is fairly brittle - so be very gentle with it if you are installing it right away as you can chip it fairly easy . also if I where to do it again - I would not make it removable -I would glue it and grout/seal the edges all tight so the bugs your feeding your buddy , can't get behind it and hide . let me know if I can help further - good luck

 

[Laurrennelsonn]

I'm new at DIY projects and I have no clue what kind of glass or where to get the glass so it will fit my fixture (which is an old dresser) perfectly, do you mind me asking where you got your glass ?

 

[RangoB]

I bought it at Lowe's - they will cut it for free , just take in your measurements.

 

[Critterlover]

That is awesome. I hope I can be as creative with the decor for my beardie. Did you use styrofoam? If so, what thickness? I have a few months to play with some ideas.

 

[zjmergen]

how did you do the grout shelf? Like did you start with a piece of wood or something and build up grout off of that or just start with pieces of grout and connect them?

 

[RangoB]

A natural stone look was what i was after - and it came out pretty nice. I used the pink styrofoam from home depot ( insulation board ) and glued multiple pieces together ( found out that the best glue was a hot glue gun with low temp glue sticks from a craft store ) I just rough cut pieces with a razor knife to create the main shape your after and glued them together - then I took a dremel with a sanding drum and went to town carving it - trying not to make it flat and smooth instead add gouges and crevices to shape it like real rock . Then I blew the dust off and I used non sanded grout in a color you want to show in the ridges - mixed thin and applied it with a paint brush - let dry and apply again - maybe a little thicker - let dry - and then I used sanded grout in the main color you want and again mix fairly thin and apply with a paint brush , after it dryed a short time I took a wet sponge and lightly wiped off the sanded grout on some of the ridges to expose the other color - let dry and do it again , mixing it thicker - let dry and wipe again till you get the multi color effect that looks natural and that you like . You can put on as many coats of each as you like - I would recommend at least to of each. or add more colors of you choose . after your happy with the colors it's time to let it dry well - and then seal it - I used shellac ( because it's hypo allergenic and food safe )applied with a brush and did 3 coats , make sure you let dry until the smell of the shellac is gone - maybe a day ? - what I found out - is that the grout and sealer continue to harden for a long time - and to begin with it is fairly brittle - so be very gentle with it if you are installing it right away as you can chip it fairly easy . also if I where to do it again - I would not make it removable -I would glue it and grout/seal the edges all tight so the bugs your feeding your buddy , can't get behind it and hide . let me know if I can help further - good luck

 

[Wendy300]

Absolutely beautiful. Hubby and I are going to build a new Vic for our baby as well. You've given us great ideas. Thanks. Your little one is so precious! I could eat him up. Have fun!

 

[NachoBeardie]

i love how if you look closely you can see your beardie in the pictures lol. he looks so cute and tiny in there. amazing viv