DIY Naturalistic Vivarium Backgrounds Step by Step tutorial

I'll take you through the step by step in what I do to make two different styles of naturalistic backgrounds for your terrariums. Using both natural products as well as customizing unnatural products to mimic nature.
So be it you keep reptiles, amphibians or in my case for the purpose of these vivariums, Arachnids. More specifically arboreal species of arachnids. So I really want to not only create eye appealing displays but also mimic the natural environments as best as possible. Every animal deserves the best environment and it's my responsibility to provide it.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and perhaps it inspires you to give it a try yourself.
Thank you kindly for watching!
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[@GrizzlyDave85]

I think it’s so funny that you sound like J. Jonah Jameson and you’re talking about spiders. Great video too, much love haha

[@themadaquarist]

Thats very kind thank you spider man

[@KarenmitchellANI]

Helps a lot, thank you

[@markhalliday3703]

Just bought one of the nano tall exoteras on the weekend for my white lipped tree frog's. I think i will have to redo it now,cos you gave me some good ideas just now, cheers 👍👌👊🤜🤛🇦🇺😁

[@ChantalsCritters]

They look good. Great video.

[@leese27canadian]

Brilliant! And so cost effective!

[@themadaquarist]

Thank you kindly

[@AntWarriors]

Awesome job man

[@garythorn9477]

they look really good idea to make from natural bark will give it a go for my Tarantulas and my scorpions enclosures thank you for the ideas

[@themadaquarist]

Thank you kindly for watching

[@islagordon8705]

Perfect! I’m thinking of doing something similar for my crested gecko :)

[@themadaquarist]

Thank you kindly

[@jennylynne4414]

Nice video. Thank you!

[@themadaquarist]

Thank you kindly Jenny

[@mk_cichlids]

More T's! You've helped inspire me to consider my first. I've been doing a bunch of research. I've got a couple species in mind, C. Versicolor, or GBB are my favorites right now, but I'm worried about getting in over my head with an arboreal. I like the colors on B. Boehmi for a somewhat beginner terrestrial. What do you think?

[@johnwilkerson9804]

This was extremely helpful for me thank you so much

[@themadaquarist]

Very kind thank you

[@johnwilkerson9804]

@@themadaquarist seriously I only have one built and I’ve already been asked to build for someone else. I just directed them here. You made everything very clear and easily understandable. You made it possible for me to build something absolutely beautiful without me having any knowledge before finding this video for the most part.

[@themadaquarist]

@@johnwilkerson9804 well I am truly honoured my friend. Truth be told no vivarium is ever finished. The Beast will shortly be gutted and completely redone. After it has been running for awhile you see how each plant responds and performs. Some amazing some not, make adjustments etc… all part of the fun and enjoyment imo. I’m considering when redoing it to make it suitable for some critter of some sorts. However it must be a cohesive relationship where both the plants and animal(s) can both thrive

[@Lagniappe.]

For added looks I use silicone first on the glass then use the foam so it doesnt have the yellow ugly foam in sight

[@themadaquarist]

I could easily apply vinyl window blackout tint but where its placed in the Lair one cannot see the sides

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Silicon e under the foam? How does that cover the yellow foam? Silicone is clear.

[@Lagniappe.]

@@LukeMcGuireoides the silicone I used was black.

[@MangoTangoJKU]

Very nice work.

[@themadaquarist]

Thank you very much!

[@roadjet184]

Can oak bark be used in a damp habitat, for dart Frogs? Thank you.

[@thejworks07]

How long till the foam and silicone wear down from heat and mold And ive heard the foam and silicone is not toxic while hardened but if you heat it up and it re liquifies to any degree its toxic again to my understanding ? I could be wrong this is specificly why you're local ZOO will use a quick create filler

[@ezy2kill]

So cool. What substrate did you use pls? Thanks

[@themadaquarist]

I tend to make a somewhat regular mix based list on an ABG mix then I add varying components as needed for say more moisture retention or drier etc…

[@totaltropicals_tv1010]

Thanks' for sharing Brother, will have to live the exotic arachnids through your eyes. Can't have them here, and our native tarantulas are brown and boring. Cheers J

[@themadaquarist]

Wanna try and join in on the live feed tonight to give it a test?

[@totaltropicals_tv1010]

@@themadaquarist Sorry Brother, just found this. In principle, I would love too. But Conan, is not here today. I need his skills and I have microphone issues. Got no Audio, it's why I haven't tried anymore live streams at my end. I can't even guarantee catching tonight's stream. I will always support you Brother when ever - however. I love your live streams, you don't do enough off them. I'll my best to drop by, but I'm in and out all day today. Love J

[@hannahcampbell8511]

How many cans of the expanding foam did you use for each ? Would 1 be enough to use for a 12x12x12 exo terra? If I cover about the same amount of surface area as you did with the bark…

[@themadaquarist]

One can for a small yes, I probably used four on this build

[@SugaryPhoenixxx]

Does spray foam adhere directly to cork bark? I want to use a cork bark tile for the backdrop, but them add some texture & shelves with spray foam on top of the 18x24" bark tile. It seems like the foam adheres but I am new at this so can anyone tell me from experience?

[@themadaquarist]

Yes it does

[@ericfab4858]

Canada wooooooooooooooo

[@thegreatb7085]

What based silicone did u used?

[@themadaquarist]

I’m not certain what you mean by based silicone? But for all My vivariums, aquariums etc... I always only use 100% silicone, no additional products, no mold Inhibitors etc... Usually labelled as silicone 1. My preference would always be GE sc1200 construction silicone

[@ShAnimal]

What kinda silicone is best to use

[@themadaquarist]

For bigger aquarium I always use GE construction grade se1200