WARNING: This process is VERY messy, make sure you have a place to do it where the mess won't matter, where there are no small children that shove things in their mouths or animals to sniff up the little bits of polystyrene. The bits can easily get stuck in the nose or throat.
I used the 10mm thick polystyrene to make backing for the rear and sides of the rock wall. I marked and cut out the holes for the heat cord, heat lamp, vents and fogger.
Next I began making a rock shelf for the right hand side, something for my snake to lay on when she wants to soak up the heat from the lamp. This involved cutting some rectangles to the size needed and then just shaping the outer bits. I messily cut the shape with a sharp box cutter and then used my fingers to break the edge up giving it a more natural rock like appearance. Once rendered this should look like a proper rock face (I hope).
I decided to make a little alcove in the rock face, this will give the snake somewhere to explore as well as curl up and sort of hide if she wants too. I think it will also look rather nice.
I was originally using the multi purpose glue to stick the pieces together but I left the half I built yesterday overnight only to discover it had not stuck together. So I switched to using the liquid nails, this worked a treat and set fairly quickly making the whole process easier. During the construction I broke toothpicks up and used them to hold the pieces together as the adhesive set, this will also add extra strength as well.
Using the liquid nails and toothpicks I attached the final left hand side rock face to the backing.
I then placed the whole thing inside the vivarium to check the fit as well as the look and then left it in there to set to ensure it was set to the right angle. Then I went and had some lunch, once it was set properly I removed it and filled all the gaps behind, in the alcove and around the backing with the gap filler I had, just to make sure there was no where for the snake to get into that I couldn't get her out of, also to make sure the end product is moisture resistant.
I pulled most the stuff out my old vivarium, all except water bowl and hides. I checked the fitting of the board I used to lay the heat cord out, I needed to cut the corner off to fit it into place.
The adapter and plug for the heat cord sits nicely tucked away under the rock wall and behind the backing and exits out the rear of the vivarium. This will keep it hidden and easy to hook it all up.
Just a few of the pieces I pulled out of the old vivarium, there is also a bunch of loose branches and some fake plants. But those will be positioned and sorted once the vivarium is complete and everything else is in place.
Next I cut out the holes so I could mount the branches, these are attached to brackets and will be bolted through the back of the vivarium.
I ended up using the brackets I bought for the table to mount the smaller of the branches I had.
I also had a fake rock, so I used this on the right side, this will give another place for the snake to curl up. She could often be found curled up on this in the old vivarium. I attached it will toothpicks and liquid nails. I will be rendering over this as the colour is not the look I am going for, I am going for a red-brown rock look as that is the colour of the species natural habitat.
At this stage I decided to have a beer (or two) and it kind of went straight to my head and I got a little carried away and forgot to take pictures. I built a little shelf with another alcove for the right hand side. Attached it to the backing and placed it in the vivarium for it to set. I'll have to use the gap filler on it tomorrow as honestly I am exhausted and can not be bothered doing anymore tonight. Oh as you can see, at some point through the process I marked out where the hides, water bowl and fogger will sit to make sure once I start creating the rock wall more I don't block off the areas.
So now I am a far bit ahead of where I thought I would be, so things are looking good and I am happy. Though I am really exhausted I can barely do anything, my shoulder is hurting badly (injury that has been playing up and been causing me some serious grief lately) and I have had enough.
Revised price list
(brackets added back onto list)
Vents - $26.20
Cord (IEC to twin IEC) - $15.53
Cord (IEC to 240v) - $11.45
Liquid nails - $3.90
Cord holders - $4.00
Power board - $20.39
Bolts, nuts and washers - $6.98
Stick on feet - $3.98
Fogger - $38.05
Handles - $3.90
Plants - $29.90
Polystyrene - $29.00
Glass Track - $19.15
Glue - $8.95
Hinges - $1.45
Silicone - $4.97
Brackets - $1.70
Total - $229.50
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