Pt:1 How to build a vivarium basking platform

In these two videos i will show you how to build a basking platform for your vivarium!. Some funny epic fail scenes included near the end but don't worry cos Becky fixed it (I'm only human, lol) and part 2 will be up very soon once editing has been completed

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• custom
• vivarium
• build
• background
• basking
• spot
• how
• to
• make
• step
• by
• becky
• wheeler
• lizard
• painting
• instructions
• instructional video
• howto
• how-to
• educational
• dragon
• reptile
• snake

[Rhys131089]

hi these tank backrounds look great i have a water dragon and tried to make one but wasnt to happy with the end finish lol do u build these to sell? how much wud something like the doomsday temple cost to build

[Beckywheeler]

@Rhys131089 Hiya mate, I do make backgrounds to order but I'll be honest with you now it will cost you! As not many people know how much work goes into making a background. I do need the viv to work in and for something like the mayan viv would cost around £200-250 depending on the size you want it and will take me about 6 weeks to do.

[youdontknowmewell]

Without sounding stupid, how do you cut the edges so straight, i have attempted making one, but the edges always kind of crumble to bits, so when your trying to cut two pieces the same size to stick together, never works lol.

cheers

[Beckywheeler]

@youdontknowmewell Ahh yes I've had the same problem when I did my very first background! The trick is a good sharp knife! I use craft blades and they slice through poly like butter. And also make sure you have poly sheets that are strong and well compacted down as cheap looking poly will crumble.

[RhysonXbox]

how strong is grout?

[Beckywheeler]

@RhysonXbox Well if it's used to hold ceramic tiles up on the wall then pretty strong. Don't forget I did'nt have any support inside the legs which is why it fell apart so I added cocktail stick to strengthen the legs and rather than brushed on watered down grout I decided to use the grout straight from the bucket which helped and then varnishing it once finished strengthens it even more.

[lynets7]

all the backgrounds youve done are AMAZING! i love them, and im going to have a go at it for my sons bearded dragons, but i just wanted to let you know that when you burn the polystyrene it lets off fumes that are a carcinogen, and they linger in the air, so be careful, shaving the poly with a jagged knife may give the same effect

[elijahxxx100]

what glue do you use

[Tishkat78]

Hi, your backgrounds are fantastic! I've had a go myself and have to say it's looking pretty damn good (with thanks to tips from you of course, lol) I'm just at the last part now and I'm not sure what I should varnish/seal it with. I have a water dragon so I'm going to end up with him splashing everywhere so I need something that's waterproof as well as a matt finish, and of course non toxic. Any suggestions what to use and where to buy from? Many thanks in advance :-)

[svee]

@deadsea60 Hiya hunny, Yes I do mate and the leg don't fall off anymore ROFLMAO!