DIY 3D Rock Background For Reptiles!!

[@shikitorandall2173]

Awesome! Could you do a material list? And where to get them from pleassee?

[@renz3847]

Want to know the materials too

[@jarrydhyman4143]

Would love to know parts list

[@zachroberts3701]

Same

[@capnmoby13]

I love it! I've used your technique for hides, now I'll give this one a try!

[@roleypoley8]

You're getting so good at these. This looks better than a universal background

[@mightymotionfitness]

one of your best mate,love it

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Many thanks!

[@ezypvp3353]

Awesome video coop!! Really loved this one!!! Keep up the hard work!!!! Your reptiles have the best life!!!!!

[@coopsreptiles2588]

cheers legend

[@slingslang2934]

cool chicken. That's some great work too, it's functional and not just a background.

[@wildoz8745]

Another quality background Coop, thanks for the inspiration mate, can't wait to have a crack at one soon!

[@fryscritters6557]

Awesome episode mate. 👍 Catch you on the next one..👌

[@sickboy4016]

impressive work here, thanks for the method, quite different from what i'm used to see

[@therapium3dbackgrounds]

Always fun to see how just a few foam blocks sudenly coming to live as rocks:)

[@zachroberts3701]

Great video and idea think I'm going to try this for my 120 gallon

[@tyliful]

looks great, nice job.

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Edward..de..lanndo]

So realistic.....absolutely amazing job.....subscribed..

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Thank you so much 😀

[@hereshetep2337]

👌 super cool 👍 I need to do this for my leopardgecko

[@coopsreptiles2588]

I'm sure they would love it!

[@graphite2786]

Reference photos are the difference between a "rock" wall and a *rock* wall. When we did all the mock rock for Sydney Wildlife World, we used moulds and texture stamps from actual outcrops. We used an acrylic cement with fibre glass chopping layered in the mould- no styrene at all. (And of course , reo scaffolding, tile mesh and even chicken wire , depending on the enclosure) For big areas we used a cement spray ( shotcrete) using a hopper gun. Tinted car bog made lichens and algae. There is a vast array of different top coatings out there , Hydrostone, Quikwall, the SP series... But my favourite is plain white Portland cement. It tints well and takes fine texture details too. Is durable, non toxic and can be used in aquatic environments too- from marine to swamp.

[@coopsreptiles2588]

very cool!

[@graphite2786]

@@coopsreptiles2588 Very cool! But $$$! Your DIY method is far more suitable for the home herper 😋

[@coopsreptiles2588]

@@graphite2786 Yeah I'd love to be able to take moulds of real rocks etc but this is kinda the best method I can come up with for now haha

[@graphite2786]

@@coopsreptiles2588 The Coop method is *extremely* efficient, practical, realistic and economical; probably the best home method I've seen on YT. If you decided to sell hides and small rockwalls on a commercial basis, moulds and casting is the way to go though! I was doing bird baths and patio ponds as a side income and selling them at markets before COVID hit. I tried selling hides but the demand wasn't there....so i remarketed them as spare key hiding stones.

[@Shumiotoko]

how do you use the portland cement? just mix it up and spread it on the foam?

[@So_Slayy]

What adhesive did you use to install this?? I absolutely LOVE the idea of making it removable to clean and/or swap out easily!! Plus it can be installed without needing temporary housing for an inhabitant while the silicone cures. So freaking cool!

[@dm2836]

Did you ever attempt it?

[@rickcroney1286]

Awesome job! I got a few pointers to help with my spotted python build. Cheers

[@Trident_Media7104]

That knife and your toes… I had a mild panic 😂attack

[@skywolf-4434]

Wow I need to try this! 😯

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Go for it!

[@nickihuber-smith2329]

amazing as always! so realistic

[@DontTreadOnMe813]

Would this hold up to a desert lizard set up for a uromastyx? With the heat needed for a uromastyx I’m worried about things melting or gassing too much with paint and foam. What heat have you exposed to this style or rock?

[@novym]

Coop, great video. How do we clean and sterilize these background after use?

[@72odense]

any chance for a material list :-) to ensure paint and items are suitable for heat tempture and a dragon?

[@fxrce4348]

Love your vids your so dedicated

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Appreciate

[@Arteriallion]

How much time did you wait between the two layers of grout? I read something about a 28 days of curing and watering it often and let it dry again… confused 😮

[@corrijackson]

This is great ! Is there anything else I can use besides instation foam board?

[@KarenmitchellANI]

I found the MUSIC distracting.. great to see an Aussie video on this.. I'm wondering why you chose the Tile Pointing over other options. I see some use grout.. thanks for the idea

[@hendrikgunawan5575]

Really niceee mann ❤️

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Thanks!

[@AsheryW]

I've made a background very similar to this (foam board, silicone and pointing) but I find it so hard to clean when my Bredli does his business on it. Can you recommend either a good top coat to make it a little less rough and easier to clean? Or even a good method of cleaning?

[@coopsreptiles2588]

I usually just use f10, scrubbing brush and water and it works well

[@Sandra-lk5yt]

This is awesome! I’m so excited to try to build these for my set ups. How do these background interact with water? If I were to pin moss to it and have a mist system up, would the paints bleed or the tile pointing surface deteriorate?

[@cutting-edge_productions]

Is this heat proof? I got a leopard gecko and would like to do this with my terrarium. I have a heat lamp. Will this catch fire if added to my tank?

[@isabelsam1155]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@SwissFrogGuy]

Cool video! Thanks a lot!

[@CamBill]

Looks awesome mate well done 👍👍👍👍👍👍 You got a lot more patience than me

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Reptiles have taught me much patience hahaha

[@rooibaard832]

do you need to use a sealant when you are done, like varnish or a polyurethane sealant ?

[@coopsreptiles2588]

No i have not found it nessisary!

[@gamingsaurus-8]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[@Jimbosreptiles]

is it frog safe ?

[@mariagenua8116]

Can you just paint it. And what type of paint

[@cjleveille2626]

Hi mate Im relatively new to reptiles, I have a albino darwin and i converted z display cabinet. learnt some lessons and really love the process of custom builds. How do I know what paint us safe to use for that foam background?

[@crossvg]

I made a little building from foamular and i painted it with acrylic paint. Would I be able to use it as a hide possibly? It won’t be harmful or anything would it?

[@briannabell296]

Can I get list of color names you used? They are upside down in the video!

[@gracewolfe7057]

Are you using regular silicone to connect the foam pieces?

[@isuckatnamingthings5499]

There's special animal safe silicone that you have to use. Search up aquarium silicone and you should get a bunch of options for like 10-20$

[@beatrisjitariu4154]

@@isuckatnamingthings5499 silicones used for tubs are also safe.

[@silersart6564]

Is this background waterproof? Like would it be okey if I sprayed it with water?

[@theanonymouskeylo7692]

So this stuff is safe for heat lamps ?

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Yes I’ve had heating on it with no issues

[@gamingsaurus-8]

Of course it’s OK with the heat lamp

[@UnwrapMeImAPudding]

Hi! What kind of adhesive is that at 2:10?

[@aquiver3596]

Roof and gutter silicone sealant. Clear colour. Brand: PARFIX

[@karigarcia8316]

You don't have to spray any clear coat?

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Nope!

[@baekwonlee9122]

What paint is safe for reptiles?

[@allyjones7225]

I literally can’t find tile pointing anywhere! Where tf u get it?

[@gracedelseni666]

Are these foam pieces safe under heat?

[@coopsreptiles2588]

If covered well with the tile pointing Ive never found an issue with a bit of heat on it!

[@sarahcharron8615]

Could it be toxic with the heat lamp on them?

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Never found an issue with heat- this product is often used outside as well so it can take harsh conditions

[@sarahcharron8615]

@@coopsreptiles2588 Great to know, because it looks amazing and that was a concern. I'll be trying that!

[@Roman-bz5pk]

Hey coop yesterdayi lost my blue tongue. I think he might have escaped from his hutch but his not there. I think he might be in my back yard do you have any idea how i can get him back please i have been really upset Thanks

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Sorry to hear that. You have to check anywhere you can especially under things. It can be very hard to find them best of luck!

[@coopsreptiles2588]

Can also try setting out some food he likes and regularly checking to see if he comes out for it

[@firstladieee6615]

My OCD is cringing about the smaller pieces falling through the cracks of your deck. Great job tho!

[@dannil9878]

Does Coop have a BF?