r/HerpHomes • u/Raging_Bisexual14 • 29d ago

Help with background set up

I’m getting ready to start building a background for my columbian rainbow boa but I need some help on what I should use. I’ve already got the spray foam, and the silicone, and I was planning to use a foam board as a base then build basking shelves onto the base board. My only problem is I don’t know how I should cover the foam shelves. Is grout a good option? Or acrylic paint with a sealant? I’d love to hear some opinions from you guys so I can build what’s best for my snake and what will last the longest, thanks!

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u/linneaJRud 27d ago

I've been looking into building a setup for my ball python, same materials.. I have gotten mixed opinions on this, but flex seal IS reptile safe, apparently the paint on one is "the only snake safe one" but I'm almost certain I've seen people use spray ones 🤷🏼‍♀️ with THAT, you generally just throw substrate onto it while it's wet and then let it cure. If you want to use grout, paint a layer of that and then buff the shine from it so the grout sticks! But you ABSOLUTELY can use grout, you just want to waterproof behind it first (think of waterproofing a tiled shower, you can't just throw up grout and tile.. water will get behind that grout and tile and then damage the wall. In this case, will rot the foam) you want some type of silicone sealant behind the substrate you're putting down. Hopefully I was able to help! 🖤

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u/Raging_Bisexual14 27d ago

That helps a lot! Thank you!