Fake bark

ORO

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2008
Messages
201
Talking from Robc's technique for backgrounds I decided to make my own bark, tired of bringing in bark from outside and even after cooking you get molds eventually, cork bark is too $$$$. I used 1" foam and initially cut the groves with a razor knife then used a dremel with a brush to clean them up and add more texture, took about 1/2hr to make, will make more and get better at the design. I first used peat then finished with a cactus soil mix to fill in the small crevices.



 

Diggy415

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
287
SWWEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTT:worship: im going into town today and going to buy me a glue gun so i can get my tanks going for those who are getting bigger, love making the cages. Good job. Now we are going to try to out-do eachother. Pretty soon there will be a national backdrop contest lol
 

Bird Man

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
278
How did you get the dirt to stick to the foam stuff? That looks really good.
 

wedge07

Arachnolord
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 10, 2007
Messages
612
I doubt it would. Foam doesn't retain moisture and I doubt there is enough dirt on it to retain any either. I can't wait to try this technique! Looks good!
 

codykrr

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 22, 2008
Messages
3,112
wow. that looks really nice, i might have to do one similar now
 

ORO

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2008
Messages
201
Thanks, it is so easy to work with, the possibilities are endless, I am working on a corner burrow, open sides for viewing.

- silicone spread all over the foam as a glue also water proof
- really its a thin layer of substrate and does not hold moisture for that long

this stuff is cheap and easy to shape, if painted use only a latex paint like Krylon H20 or the foam will melt.
 

Mina

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 4, 2005
Messages
2,136
Congratulation, that looks fabulous!!!!!!!!! :worship: I love it!!!!!!
 

Endagr8

Arachnoangel
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2008
Messages
911
Wow, that looks really good. Nice technique! I did one like that a couple weeks ago for a 20 gallon aquarium:
 

ORO

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2008
Messages
201
Awesome, I will make some more, I am working on some plant pots for a Tree Frog tank, and a burrow for T's
 

vvx

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
428
I really like the grain in that piece, how did you form the foam?
 

SCORPIONNOOB

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 22, 2009
Messages
226
Those are really cool guys! I better try this as well.... Im runnin out of $$$$$$$$$$$$:D
 

biomarine2000

Arachnoangel
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
956
That is an awesome idea! If I was to look at it I would never know that it is styrafoam. Unless you told me of course. Awesome job.
 

Amenagerie

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
32
I've had no luck finding the foam. Where do you find it?
:wall: It'll probably "hit" me tomorrow where I should be looking and I'm going to feel stupid for posting this. :}
 

vvx

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
428
Home Depot / Lowes. Comes in 2'x10' if I recall correctly. You can get whatever thickness works, from 0.5" to 2.5" or 3"? It's normally sold as an insulating material
 

truthsdeceit

Arachnopeon
Joined
Mar 20, 2009
Messages
28
So cool! I'm a total DYI person... I've only got a G. rosea now but once I talk my bf into another T I'm getting a pinktoe and doing up a enclosure robc style. :D
 
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