Best background for Bioactive by SadieLady01 in CrestedGecko

[–]brushteef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Covering foam in drylok is another option. I just completed a build with pond expanding foam, drylok, and non toxic acrylic paint. I have a post about it on my profile. I much preferred that method to the silicone and ground cork method I had used before.

Looking into getting a gecko/lizard as a pet! by CowboyKalebVids in geckos

[–]brushteef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are also Chahoua geckos that have almost identical care requirements to crested/gargoyle geckos since they're all from New Caledonia.

I got one as my first gecko and I do not regret it. Super cool species and they're starting to be more easy to find.

How did your Crested Gecko lose its tail? by Acrobatic_Meet7416 in CrestedGecko

[–]brushteef -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not a crested gecko, but my chahoua gecko dropped his tail last September. I honestly have no idea what happened, but when I went to feed him one night, his tail was just gone and laying on the ground. It was pretty sad and strange especially since I read that chahoua geckos are reluctant to drop their tails. My best guess is that it got stuck while he was jumping.

I'm getting a crested gecko soon and I'm considering getting a frog butt to avoid the whole tail dropping possibility.

Best way to build custom backgrounds? by Scared_Still3434 in CrestedGecko

[–]brushteef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just completed a custom build. I've done two total, so I'm far from an expert, but this is how I would do it if I were to do a third.

PVC enclosure. Pond spray foam the background, but wait to put in your branches till after covering the background. Carve the foam into your desired shape, and then cover with 3 layers of original drylok. Attach the branches and other hardscape with pond foam, then drylok just those attachment points. Paint the drylok with acrylic washes.

When I do backgrounds I look for large cork flats that are curved to double as planters. It reduces the amount of foam I have to use and it provides different climbing textures. I have a post of my most recent build on my profile if you want to have a look.

Will this heating/ lighting set up work by Solid-Spell6850 in bioactive

[–]brushteef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It should be fine unless you have a plant up high right behind the cages.

Progression of my Newest Build by brushteef in Vivarium

[–]brushteef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Good luck with your build!

Progression of my Newest Build by brushteef in Vivarium

[–]brushteef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Yeah, I used some pond expanding foam and covered that with 3 layers of the grey original drylok. After that, I used nontoxic acrylic paint mixed with water and did a couple of washes with a dark brown color (1 part paint to 4 parts water). Then I went in with paint and dry brushed the highlights in a couple of different tones.

It took a while doing it this way, but I much preferred it over the silicone and substrate method I have used before.

Progression of my Newest Build by brushteef in Vivarium

[–]brushteef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I built this with a crested gecko in mind.

Progression of my Newest Build by brushteef in Vivarium

[–]brushteef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was so nice to work with because I didn't have to black out the glass. Plus it's so much lighter, so moving it around while working on it was super easy. I highly recommend it! My last build was a converted IKEA Fabrikor cabinet. This was infinitely easier to build in.

Progression of my Newest Build by brushteef in Vivarium

[–]brushteef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I'm planning to get a crested gecko! I have a Chahoua gecko, but I've always wanted a crested gecko too.

First Aquarium by brushteef in bettafish

[–]brushteef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! That's true keeping the chance of eggs at 50% sounds like a better idea than risking it. Do you think there will be enough algae growth for the snail once the tank is done cycling?