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DIY hides

Palermodude

Palermodude

New member
I was researching how to make a cheap hide instead of buying one of the $20+ ones at the pet store and I came across the stryofoam/grout idea so I gave it a go. I made one for my ball python, 2 for my corn, and one for my buddy's bearded dragon. I used a tan/gray grout mix and this is just the first application I still need to seal them but let me know what you think! :dancer:

a.JPG

b.JPG
 
Interesting! I have seen these before but I am running into problems. I am starting to run out of hides and hides that are big enough. These would even make good gecko hides! I've got a whole week of break coming up, so perfect time to make some.

What supplies are you using?
Where can I get them?

;)
-Skully-
 
definitely! im on break now so im upgrading their cages and hides alike. unlimited options with this kind of stuff! saves a ton of $ too
 
oh sorry somehow i missed the questions. I cut up a styrofoam cooler into small pieces and made an igloo sort of structure, and hot glued the pieces together. After they were all glued together, I used caulk to rub in the open joints and generally make it a little stronger. After all that was dry I mixed some grout powder with water and used a paintbrush to apply it allover, inside and out. Its really grippy and has a nice texture but I'm going to use a polycrylic water based sealer to cover the whole thing for the snakes safety. Once all that is one it is really strong and should hold together nicely! Took about 2 hours to do all 4. Good luck!
 
Palermodude said:
oh sorry somehow i missed the questions. I cut up a styrofoam cooler into small pieces and made an igloo sort of structure, and hot glued the pieces together. After they were all glued together, I used caulk to rub in the open joints and generally make it a little stronger. After all that was dry I mixed some grout powder with water and used a paintbrush to apply it allover, inside and out. Its really grippy and has a nice texture but I'm going to use a polycrylic water based sealer to cover the whole thing for the snakes safety. Once all that is one it is really strong and should hold together nicely! Took about 2 hours to do all 4. Good luck!
Click to expand...

This stuff found in Walmart or?

Caulk
Grout powder
Polycrylic water based sealer
 
You can get grout at any hardware store. You can get it in a lot of different colors too. Lowe's sells it in different size bags. I think I will try this with a bag of left over grout from tiling a bathroom. Now to find some Styrofoam. Wonder if this would work to cover some old aquarium caves for my fish tank. I will have to check on some aquarium sites and see.

You made some great hides.
 
Update on DIY Hides/ Logs

Update on the hides- After the grout dried it began peeling off of the styrofoam so I started applying the clear coat layers.. so far I have about three clear coats and I painted them also. Still need to finish the inside though

hide.JPG

hide2.JPG

I also went out in my lawn and found a huge nice stick to incorporate in my vivs. I broke it up and stripped the left over bark off and put it in the bleach/water solution. Tomorrow I'm going to start leaching the bleach out and hopefully in a couple days I'll be done my hides and logs! :)

hide3.JPG

hide4.JPG
 
Probably heading to Walmart or Menards soon. Hope to find everything I need! I'll add some photos here if I ever make any hides ;)
 
Those look really nice I'm doing the same thing making a hide for my boa. I also did a full suround background rock style for my Green Tree Python's enclosure. It takes a a long time to make but it saves money, and you can make basically anything.
 
I'm making full backgrounds with the hides built in with the styrofoam. Very messy, Huh? Lol. Try using carpenters glue instead of the hot glue. The hot glue tends to melt the foam.
 
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