New naturalistic terrarium

[anig]

So we are almost finished with our second cage. We used a 20 gal long on its side and made a screen door. The background is black, pond great stuff with mopani wood pieces sticking out and two planters. The planters were made of plastic cups with a hole and tube to allow drainage to the bottom of the cage for when we water the plants. We covered the cups with silicon and sphagnum moss to blend them in. They each have pothos planted in them. The floor from bottom to top is drainage layer, screen, soil and sphagnum moss. There is a snake plant and several pothos planted. There is a hide, water dish and food dish in the cage. I added some fake vines, but will be going out this weekend to find some real bamboo to add more climbing areas.

What do you guys think? I hope the plants grow in a bit to provide more coverage. Our crestie boy, Unagi, will have the whole place to himself

[foxe]

That background looks cool. I've never seen anyone leave the great stuff uncovered by coco fiber; yours looks like rock, without having to sit there and sculpt and paint it by hand.

[EmilyK]

I like it! Your gecko has a great name, too. =D

[catamount]

Where does one buy this "great stuff" and how much does it cost? I wiould like and try to do a custom background on my tank as well. I also love the backgroung in this tank being mostly black and rock looking. Great job!

[catamount]

My one other question for you is the great stuff you used, is it already black so no painting necessary? Most of the posts on here that use the "great stuff" show it being yellow and then covered with silicone and coco fiber. Your idea would be better for cleaning purposes if the Crested were to poop on the background area. I want to do this as well to add the custom look to my enclosures and not the run of the mill foam and/or cork backgrounds you can buy.

[tsunamee]

You did a great job! I believe the "pond great stuff" comes that color. In my experience, pothos grow pretty quick.

[catamount]

I know this is a bit off of the post...but if you are feeding the Crested CGD and not live insects, at what age/size is it safe to do a natural substrate such as this as oposed to paper towels?

[postskunk]

This cage looks great
-Matt

[anig]

Catamount -

We got the pond great stuff at Lowes in the gardening section. It wasn't by other other great stuff and it was under a different brand name. The color you see in the pictures is how it comes - no need to paint. It was under 10$ if I recall. We made a previous cage the more common way - with regular great stuff, black silicon, and cocoa fiber. It was a pain to make and not very fun ; the silicon is not easy to 'paint' with. Cleaning that background has also been frustrating as I sometimes have to pull off the cocoa fiber to really clean the poop (messy gex!). This new set up was very easy, and a lot of fun too! I like it a lot better than the other cage... makes me want to redo the other one completely We'll see how the cleaning goes, I hope its easier

[anig]

I like it! Your gecko has a great name, too. =D

Thanks! Unagi = eel. We love our little sushi monster