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@@user-qp8uf7nz8f Shellharbour NSW

@@user-qp8uf7nz8f not sure what tool you’re referring to but only one I can think of that I scrape with is a steak knife

It will stick better to wood than it does glass mate. Check out the video of mine I did for my diamond python enclosure. It was built out of MDF.

@@Cambart1 you’re a legend mate thank you for the response, I’ve watched all your videos 2 or 3 times in preparation for this hahaha

Is dry lock needed at all for mdf and foam backgrounds ?

@@Zactreeee I don’t know how dryloc works mate I can’t get that in Australia. I waterproofed the inside of the enclosure prior to using foam. I then coat in a product we have here in Australia used for roof tiling called roof tile pointing.

@@Cambart1 okay cool what do you use to waterproof?

Can do it either way mate. I have done a large scale 3 panel background that got installed into a mates enclosure. I personally think a built in one looks better and is a bit more of a practical background but both ways work. I have videos on my channel explaining both options.

The spray gun attachment I use has a speed control dial which also shuts off completely allowing me to save the open can for another time. You need the spray foam cans that can take the gun attachment

@@Cambart1 Ah. So they are fairly specific to use the gun. I had a spray gun attachment once, but I'm not sure if it was something I did wrong, but the gun nozzle got clogged up at some point after a couple uses.

I was using the Sika branded expanding foam with the gun attachment specific top on the cans. You can’t use the gun on normal cans nor can you not use the gun on gun specific cans. There is a cleaner you can get for the foam guns but I never needed to use it

Super glues I find generally will eat into and melt the foam rather than stick to it

I use a product called roof tile pointing. It’s what Australians use to seal the joints in roof tile ridge cappings. This is only available in Australia from what I’ve been told The red oxide is just a concrete oxide used to change the colour of concrete. I believe the one I used is terracotta colour in this build First layer I add a small amount of water to the mix when adding the oxide. This allows the first coat to spread better. I then add another 2-3 coats each with less water or as needed.

You now if graout is good?

Grout works yes. It just doesn’t have the flexibility of the other stuff I used. I began building with grout and have one of my own enclosures made with grout with no problem.

Thanks for the support. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me through Instagram

No, the product used to coat the foam is designed for Australian tile roofs so it’s waterproof enough for the backgrounds.

This size that I built in I’d say is the minimum and most common requirement for this species of snake. It’s a 900x600x450

Use to use expanding foam but went to an insulation foam because it was more dense and held shape better.

Yes usually the side measurements are pretty snug I just make the height smaller to allow easy of install. Substrate covers the bottom where it’s short. I do also suggest using silicone to fix them into place if a removable one isn’t needed. Otherwise you can lean branches or rocks against it.

@@Cambart1 awesome, thanks! I'm thinking of trying double sided tape to make it removable.

@@JohnDoe-xq8sk yep that’s an idea too. Good luck with it

Paint itself is just cheap shop acrylic paints. The compound I use to coat the foam is roof tile pointing available from Bunnings.

@@Cambart1 oh ok Killa, where can I get them from

Paint you can get anywhere that sells paint for craft etc. the roof tile pointing is from Bunnings

@@Cambart1 would silicone work for sticking the ledges on?

Possibly but I have never done it. Not sure how well it would stick to foam

Thanks. Nah no need. The pointing is waterproof and the paint is pretty hard wearing and haven’t seen any wear on my builds yet.

@@Cambart1 Ok, thanks!! 😉👍🏻

Thanks mate. It’s called roof tile pointing. Its o lot available in Australia due to it being a product we use to seal up roof tiles.

Because I had no reason or need to. Definitely a good option for anyone that wants to try that.

Honestly mate it’s up to you. You can always start by just coating the inside and see how you like it. You won’t need to use the pond sealer on the external and that can simply be a paint that bonds to melamine. Might work out cheaper for you

Yeah I do. You should always use a thermostat for the protection of your animals. The cage is simply there to stop your animals burning itself by wrapping around or touching the heat source.

@@Cambart1 Ok thank you, With the thermostat heat sensor probe Where would be the best spot to put it like would I put it in the cage or below on the rock basking spot?

Generally you want the probe at the same level as your basking rock or spot. This will give accurate reading of temp right where your animal is. You can send me enclosure photos to my Instagram and I can assist you from there.

Thank you. Definitely a time consuming process haha

Absolutely amazing I wish I lived in Australia. I have a little spotted girl she is spicy 🌶️ lol my cage is huge and I have 0 talent with decorating , but I might try

Definitely give it a crack. There’s plenty of products available in the US and other countries that work great. I started my channel because all the background builders were US based and we couldn’t get their products here.

Silly there is no you here to commission a build 🫵🏻🎯 you are an artist

Thank you. I would assume there would be someone around your area surely haha. Jump on Facebook groups etc and reach out to local reptile people.

Thanks. I love making them and it makes cleaning and removing your animals so much easier.

Glad you find mine the most helpful mate. If you have any questions for your build hit me up on Insta or messenger. Nah mate I have kinda given it up unfortunately. Work changed, new baby on the way and embarking on doing my house extension/Reno so time was very limited. Always happy to answer questions and help where i can.

Hey mate, I don’t use just paint over either of the foams. I use a product I assume is similar to dryloc (we don’t have dryloc in Aus). The insulation foam is more rigid than spray foam which makes for a more solid structure but it most definitely still coated in a product that dries hard and is water resistant.

Thanks mate

I have heard the same thing mate. I haven’t built a background for more than a year now so unfortunately I don’t know where to get it anymore. Could contact Bastion directly.

@@Cambart1 cheers mate

Yeah mate sure did.

@@Cambart1alright, just asking because I love your work. Looking to make a background of my own!

@@jadensingh3181 yeah no drama mate thank you. If you have any questions you can message through Insta or messenger.

No it’s 16mm mdf. But 16mm form ply will work better. I had all intentions of waterproofing the entire inside so I wasn’t concerned with which product I used and I had better buying power for mdf. If it wasn’t my own enclosure I’d use form or marine ply for sure.

@@Cambart1 cheers Cam. I also see you are a Wests Tiger supporter. I used to be a Balmain Tigers fan and club member, I just couldn't get into the whole almagamtion thing, though I did try. Good and informative vids mate

@@gottalovethephilippines5417 haha yeah man unfortunately a tigers supporter. I only started following the footy in about 2000 so I only new them as wests tigers back then. Thanks mate if you have any other questions and you can message me through Insta or messenger.

It’s a product only available in Aus called roof tile pointing. There are other similar products in the US like Dryloc but I’m not sure if it’s the same or not.

Not from Canada mate. From Australia 😁

It’s an insulation foam panel. Not sure on the technical term for it. Company that makes it is “Bastion”

Thank you. Glad I could help you create something for your beardie.

To be honest I haven’t noticed haha.

Honestly I don’t seal any of my builds. I find any sealer creates a glossy wet look and takes away from the natural rock finish. However I can’t confirm what it’s like using dryloc as I have never used or seen it in person (we don’t get it in aus)so I couldn’t be certain you’d need to seal it not sorry. Thanks for reaching out too. Appreciate the support and feedback

Haha glad you enjoyed it and learnt from it. Thanks