Sculpted 'oyster mushrooms' for frog's tank - work in progress!

[rosequoll]

Just thought I'd share some sculpted 'tree'/oyster mushrooms that I'm working on for my new frog tank. They're currently sculpted in clay, but will be cast in food safe resin and sealed once I find the appropriate resins for the job.

Not sure if I'll leave them plain white or use coloured resin, but hoping it'll look pretty fancy. Not sure yet whether I'll silicone them into the tank or use large rare earth magnets.

[UncleChester]

Looking great so far!

[cruentusanima]

Wow, that looks great! I was thinking about adding some shrooms to the viv I'm creating but this seems like a more practical approach. Any chance your going to create a step by step build thread?

[rosequoll]

Wow, that looks great! I was thinking about adding some shrooms to the viv I'm creating but this seems like a more practical approach. Any chance your going to create a step by step build thread?

Definitely will take photos. I'm still working on researching what resins are safe. I think I've got the right product now, but I'm waiting back on a few emails to be 100% sure.

If all goes well I'm happy to sell a few casts to. I'll have a mould so I can cast as many or as few as I need. =)

[rosequoll]

Okay! First photos of 'Prototype 1'.

I give it 5/10 points. They look awesome, they're nice and lightweight (78gm/2.75oz) but the initial magnets I tried (I went for whatever I could find locally, I have better ones on order but wont have them for two weeks) were too small and while they'll stay up, they don't hold any weight.

But I'm pleased none the less and this set could easily be siliconed onto the wall of a tank. =)

I made a few mistakes though, too much expending foam inside, and poured the final resin onto the foam before it was 100% cured. Next time I'll have to give it a bit more time to cure. =)

Question:

1. Do you think it's worth working to get the magnet system right, or should I just make them for siliconing onto tanks? I figured being able to remove them was better for cleaning.

2. Should I make them lighter white? or darker brown??

(Photos, first is on the tank for quick photo, second and third stuck to the fridge)

[flybyferns]

Okay! First photos of 'Prototype 1'.

I give it 5/10 points. They look awesome, they're nice and lightweight (78gm/2.75oz) but the initial magnets I tried (I went for whatever I could find locally, I have better ones on order but wont have them for two weeks) were too small and while they'll stay up, they don't hold any weight.

But I'm pleased none the less and this set could easily be siliconed onto the wall of a tank. =)

I made a few mistakes though, too much expending foam inside, and poured the final resin onto the foam before it was 100% cured. Next time I'll have to give it a bit more time to cure. =)

Question:

1. Do you think it's worth working to get the magnet system right, or should I just make them for siliconing onto tanks? I figured being able to remove them was better for cleaning.

2. Should I make them lighter white? or darker brown??

(Photos, first is on the tank for quick photo, second and third stuck to the fridge)

rosequoll,
Wow, you could sell them !
They are ,just beautiful. I think they look beautiful that light color!!!
I ended up using silicone to stick my plant holders on the side of my take.
After awhile, the magnents drove me nuts!
Lynn

[UncleChester]

1. Do you think it's worth working to get the magnet system right, or should I just make them for siliconing onto tanks? I figured being able to remove them was better for cleaning.

From the responses, I think you'll have to do both. I've never tried a magnet approach but I attach my shelf mushrooms (collected from the wild) in my vivs with silicone and I'm happy with that approach.

2. Should I make them lighter white? or darker brown??

I lean towards lighter but I'd ask if they've been sealed yet? Also, how do they look wet?

(hmm...a shelf mushroom waterfall could be awesome)