How to Make a Reptile Background With Grout

Make your own background for a reptile cage.

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If you are a reptile enthusiast, you probably would like to provide a natural-looking habitat for your pet. Although you can buy plastic or resin backgrounds for your reptile tank, commercial ones can be expensive, and you may not be able to find exactly the look you want or the size you need. You can construct your own custom background for your reptile habitat out of craft materials and tile grout from a craft store or home improvement center.

Related Searches:Difficulty:ModerateInstructions Things You'll NeedPolystyreneKnifeIndustrial adhesiveGroutPlastic bowl or bucketAcrylic craft paintLarge paintbrushSpoonNon-toxic acrylic sealerSuggest Edits1

Sculpt the base for your background out of polystyrene blocks and sheets. Reptiles like to hide, so make deep pockets and holes for them to lie in. Layer polystyrene pieces of different widths and thicknesses together to create a rock-like terrain. Build it up to the height and width of your reptile habitat so it covers the entire background. Shave off the sharp corners and edges of the polystyrene pieces with a knife to create a natural rock shelf appearance. You also may elect elect to make a theme background, such as ancient ruins.

2

Glue the polystyrene pieces together using industrial adhesive, such as the glue used for wood paneling installation. Let the glue dry.

3

Mix water with dry grout mix in a plastic bowl or bucket to a thin syrup consistency. You can use sanded or non-sanded grout. Tint the grout with a small amount of acrylic craft paint so it is a different color than the polystyrene.

4

Paint the thin grout mixture onto the polystyrene with a large paintbrush to coat the entire surface. Coat all the cracks and inner surfaces of the hiding places. Because you tinted the grout, you can tell if you have covered the whole thing. Coat all the surfaces, even the sides, bottom and back. Let the grout dry and cover the whole thing with another coat of thin grout mix without color. Let this coat dry. Mix a third coat of thin grout mix with some color and apply another layer of grout to the sculpture. Let it dry.

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Mix a batch of thick grout, adding only enough water to make it the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. Spoon dabs of this grout in any areas on the background that you want to build up or close, such as seams. Let the grout dry. Sand any sharp edges of grout with fine-grit sandpaper.

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Paint the background with acrylic craft paint in any way you like. Use spray paint or a paint brush. Paint rocks gray and brown, then and add green, mossy areas. If you have a theme, paint it according to your theme. Build up layers of paint and let each layer dry before applying the next. Let the paint dry completely.

7

Spray all the surfaces of the background with a non-toxic acrylic sealer. Coat it well and get all the nooks and crannies. It is important that you seal it thoroughly because of the damp nature of a reptile cage and the fact that you do not want your pet scratching into an unsealed surface. Apply four coats in all, waiting until the previous coat has dried completely before applying the next one. When the final coat is dry, your background is ready to install.

Tips & Warnings

Brush on some acrylic sealant in areas of the background that reptiles will walk on, and sprinkle with a little clean sand. This gives the animals traction.

If your background will come into contact with water, seal the parts that will be exposed to water with aquarium-grade silicon sealant before installing the background. Wear gloves, safety glasses and a mask when handling the silicon sealant.

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ReferencesLizard-Landscapes.com: How to Make a WaterfallPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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The Proper Way to Greet a Dog

Approach dogs from the front or side, so they can see you.

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Like humans, dogs are social animals with an understanding of body language and status. However, canine rules are different from human rules. Behaviors you consider to be friendly and welcoming might be threatening or challenging to a dog, and you might prompt reactions you don't expect. Before approaching a strange dog, ask its owner for permission; if the owner isn't present, you are safest leaving the dog alone. When you do greet a dog, it is least likely to bite you or startle if you approach it with an attitude dogs perceive as respectful and nonthreatening.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions 1

Relax your body and your breath. Tension conveys aggression or fear to a dog, so make sure you are at ease before you enter the animal's space.

2

Approach the dog from the front or the side, not from the back. Come close to it silently, and squat down so you are not standing over it. Let the dog come the rest of the way to you.

3

Look away from the dog and close your lips. Making eye contact and smiling are signs of friendly openness between Americans, but eye contact and baring your teeth are signs of warning or aggression to dogs.

4

Offer the back of your wrist to the dog to smell. According to Gregg Flowers, a dog trainer and behavioral consultant in Shreveport, Louisiana, showing a strange dog an open palm can be risky.

5

Pet the dog slowly. Touch it under its chin or on the side of its face or body. Do not reach over its head to pet its back or ears. It might snap at you if it cannot see where you are putting your hand.

6

Speak softly and in a low register. Let the dog leave when it wants to.

Tips & Warnings

Do not approach a dog quickly or with high energy. Tell children to avoid making sudden movements or loud sounds. Never hug a strange dog, because dogs perceive this kind of contact as a sign of dominance.

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ReferencesCave Canis Dog Training: Dog Etiquette -- How to Greet a DogByron Pet Clinic: Safe introductions of Kids and New PetsShreveportTimes.com: Take It Slow When Greeting New DogResourcesGood Dog Behavior and Training: Your New "Pack Member" -- Introducing Your Dog to a New BabyPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Company Party Etiquette

The holiday season brings with it an occurrence that happens rarely throughout the year: the meeting of work life with your social life. Sure, office parties have plenty of similarities to other parties you may attend: food, socializing, booze. But it is imperative to remember that company parties, while they are fun and relaxing events, are also a test of your interpersonal skills and a way for the higher ups to see how you fit in with the company.

One of the most important things to remember at a company party is that you do not have to be an absolute paparazzi-worthy social sensation. You do not want to be that guy who ends up dancing on a table with a lampshade on his head at the end of the night. Turn on your best manners and your charm. Be polite to everyone (including wait staff), and ready to shake everyone's hand. Bring up pleasant conversation topics as you would at any networking event, such as sports and interesting current events. But don't gossip or spread rumors, or bring up controversial topics. It is important to find the right balance between that carefree spirit of the holidays and appropriate conversation and behavior.

Secondly, even if there is an open bar, limit the number of alcoholic drinks you consume. Limit yourself to one drink per hour (at the very most), and drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have. If you are uncomfortable drinking plain water, order a non-alcoholic drink to maintain the party feel. If you mistakenly drink too much, be sure to call a cab or get someone to pick you up. If you spot a coworker who has had to much, help him or her act in a responsible manner. Hail a cab, or offer your coworker a ride home.

A very effective way to immediately communicate a positive image of yourself is to dress appropriately. As we discussed in my recent blog "Christmas Party Fashion For Men", your outfit should be a step above what you would normally wear to the office. Aim for a professional but still festive appearance. An easy way to do this is with some nice, dressy accessories, such as cuff links, a pocket square, or a pair of wing tipped oxford shoes. Even if you would not normally wear a tie to work, wear one to your company party. Select a tie in a holiday-inspired color, such as bright red, gold, or silver. Tie it in one of the most eye-catching tie knots, the Full Windsor, which is traditionally reserved for special occasions.

How about when it's time to leave? If it is a large party, and you have been talking with dozens of different people, there is nothing wrong with quietly and discreetly slipping away. If it is a smaller party, take a few minutes to shake the hands of the people with whom you've been speaking, and say goodbye. If the party was hosted by a coworker, it is basic good manners to sincerely thank him or her before you leave. Take a moment to make sure you did not leave any empty plates or cups sitting around the host's house. A couple days thereafter, take the time to send a short, hand-written thank you note to the host's house. This is a practice that is commonly overlooked nowadays, however it is one that should be faithfully practiced. People always remember you when you take the time to send a thank you note.

Author: Michael Taylor is a Marketing Manager at TIE SNUG. TIE SNUG eliminates continuous adjusting and makes wearing a tie more comfortable. Knowing the current tie styles is an important step when deciding what to wear to an interview. Feel confident that you look your best with TIE SNUG. For more information or to make a purchase, please visit http://www.tiesnug.com/blog/.

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How to Identify What Kind of Hamster You Own

Children often find hamsters to be entertaining.

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Hamsters have a widespread reputation as a good first pet for children to help them learn the responsibilities involved in animal care before taking on a larger pet. They're small and relatively inexpensive to house and feed, and quickly grow accustomed to being handled by humans. The various hamster breeds have different characters and needs, so it's helpful to know what variety you own.

Related Searches: Hamster Breeds

Although there are many hamster species in the wild, only five are commonly kept as pets. The most common pet hamster in the United States is the Syrian hamster. The remaining four breeds are all dwarf varieties. The most popular in U.S. pet stores is the Campbell's Russian. It is closely related to a second variety, the Dwarf White Russian. The two are difficult for novices to distinguish. The Roborovksi is the smallest of the dwarf varieties and the Chinese hamster is more rat-like in appearance.

Syrian

The Syrian hamster is the easiest of the five common hamster species to identify. It's the largest of the breeds sold as pets, growing up to six inches in length. Its fur tends to various shades of red and gold, often varied with a pattern of white or pale fur. Often labeled in pet stores as a golden hamster due to the color of its fur, long-haired varieties are sometimes called teddy bear hamsters. Some stores describe them as "fancy" hamsters. Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures in the wild and don't take well to sharing a cage with other hamsters.

Dwarf Cambell's and White Russian

The Campbell's and White Russian varieties are the most problematic for novices to distinguish because they are closely related and have a strong physical resemblance. Both are sometimes sold as Siberian or Djungarian hamsters, which only adds to the confusion. Campbell's will grow up to four inches in length, while White Russians are typically shorter by a half-inch to one inch on average. Campbell's also grow fatter in captivity, making them look bulkier. The Winter White, as its name suggests, grows white fur in winter but won't always do so in captivity. However, its fur is lighter in color than the Campbell's.

Roborovski and Chinese

The Roborovski is the smallest of the commonly sold dwarf species, with adults averaging approximately two inches in length. They are an especially active breed and can quickly escape if let out of their cage. Unlike the Syrian, they're highly social and flourish in groups as long as they're raised together. The Chinese hamster is a representative of an entirely different species, collectively referred to as "rat-like" hamsters. As the name suggests, they have a somewhat rat-like appearance with a more prominent tail and a slender, elongated body. Like Syrian hamsters, Chinese hamsters are best raised without cage mates.

ReferencesPet Web Site: Hamster SpeciesHamsterific.com: Dwarf Hamsters! Siberian, Russian or Djungarian?Hamster Club: Hamster VarietiesPhoto Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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STOCK TANK - 44 Gallon

Reinforced steel tube rolled into the top lip for added strength and durability. The bottoms are made of extra heavy galvanized steel (20 gauge) 44 gallons 2 x 1 x 4 . These 1 deep round end tanks are built with galvanized sheet metal. Made for smaller animals that are closer to the ground. These shallow tanks to not have a drain plug as they can be tipped easily to drain.

Price: $121.69

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How to Boot Animations on Sprint Hero

Use an animated GIF to boot animations on a Sprint Hero.

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If you bought your HTC Hero from Sprint, the normal HTC boot animation is replaced with the Sprint logo image. You will see this image each time you start your phone. You can alter the device to display an animation rather than the Sprint logo when you boot the phone.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll NeedAnimated GIF, 320 pixels wide by 480 pixels highSuggest Edits1

Connect the Sprint Hero to your computer using the USB cable included with the phone. Select to mount it as a drive. Windows will recognize it as an external storage device.

2

Use the Windows file browser to go to the new storage device. Go to the "/system/media/bootscreen" folder and you will see two files: "sprint.gif" and "boot_animation.xml."

3

Delete the "sprint.gif" file. On your computer, rename the animated GIF file as "sprint.gif."

4

Transfer the "sprint.gif" file from your computer to the "/system/media/bootscreen" folder on the Hero.

5

Reboot the Hero and test the boot animation.

Tips & Warnings

The animated GIF file must not contain a transparent background or it will cause the phone to reboot continuously.

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ResourcesGizmo's Freeware: Best Free GIF AnimatorPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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How to Rebuild the Transmission in a Toro Wheel Horse

Many small tractors operate with a simple gear-box reduction style transmission.

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Purchased by The Toro Company from American Motors Corporation in 1986, Wheel Horse brand tractors are known for having a simple and reliable design. Engineered for longevity and low maintenance, Wheel Horse tractor transmissions are a manually operated single-ratio gear-box system that changes the speed, torque and directional output of the engine. Rebuilding a Toro Wheel Horse transmission is a straightforward procedure easily accomplished by most weekend mechanics in a single afternoon.

Related Searches:Difficulty:ModerateInstructions Things You'll NeedLong screwdriverWrenchesRubber malletClean clothsMasking tapeFelt-tipped marking penPaperReplacements gears and shaftsDrill1/8-inch drill bitHammerAwlSmall flat-head screwdriverBearing greaseReplacement bearingsReplacement bearing racesSocket wrench setNew transmission casing gasketsTorque wrenchSuggest Edits1

Place the transmission in low gear. Insert the shaft of a long screwdriver through the center of the U-shaped joint connecting the transmission to the driveshaft; remove the pinion nut from the driveshaft with a wrench.

2

Disconnect the transmission from the engine flywheel, the transmission housing from the engine block and the transmission from the transmission mount with the appropriate wrenches.

3

Set the transmission on a workbench. Remove the bolts connecting the cover at the front of the transmission with a wrench. Tap the cover with a rubber mallet until the cover comes loose from the transmission casing.

4

Wipe the grease from the ends of the gears and shafts with a cloth. Attach a piece of masking tape to each shaft and gear and write a number on each piece of tape with a felt-tipped pen. Draw a diagram, on a piece of paper, with the marking pen, referencing the position of each gear and shaft with the corresponding numbers written on the masking tape.

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Remove the bolts connecting the transmission case sections with a wrench and separate the case sections with the rubber mallet. Work the gears and shafts free from the transmission casing with your hands.

6

Clean all surfaces of all gears, shafts and transmission casing sections with a clean, lint-free cloth. Thoroughly examine all moving parts for signs of wear. Obtain replacements for any worn parts, specific to your tractor, at a tractor supply store or online.

7

Drill a vertical hole, with a 1/8-inch drill bit, down through the side of the shaft bearing races on the inside of the transmission casing. Gently hammer an awl into the drilled hole until the race snaps off. Carefully work the race from the bearing socket with the tip of a small flat-head screwdriver and then remove the bearings with the screwdriver. Wipe the bearing sockets clean with a cloth.

8

Work fresh bearing grease into new shaft bearings with your fingers. Set the new bearings, with the domed side of the bearing facing the inside of the transmission, into the bearing shaft sockets with your fingers. Set a new bearing race over the bearings. Select a socket, from a socket wrench set, with the same outside diameter as the bearing race. Place the socket over the top of the races and tap the races into the holes with a hammer until the top of the races are flush with the inside surface of the transmission casing.

9

Install new gaskets on the transmission case sections and resemble the casing with the wrench. Remove the masking tape from the shaft and gears one at a time. Coat the shafts and gears thoroughly with bearing grease and reinstall the parts into the transmission, referring to the numbers and diagram as needed. Bolt the cover to end of the transmission with the wrench.

10

Reinstall the transmission on the tractor; reconnect the transmission to the transmission mount, driveshaft, engine flywheel and engine casing with a torque wrench set to 18 foot-pounds of torque.

ReferencesTractor Data: Wheel Horse Lawn Tractors by ModelYard and Garden Tractor Service Manual; Primedia Business MediaGarden Tractors: Deere, Cub Cadet, Wheel Horse and All the Rest, 1930s to Current; Oscar WillResourcesWheel Horse: Wheel Horse ManualsMy Wheel Horse: Restorations Techniques and How-To'sPhoto Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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