going to building a new tank, advice please.

[grimm]

so im going to be building something like http://708designs.netfirms.com/customcage/customcage.htm

has anyone built anything like it that can give me a heads up on some trouble i might run into with it, or just some general advice on building a new viv for my beardie. i know what size i need but im just wondering if ppl have build vivs and encloses and run into some common problems or hooks i may need to know about. thanks.

 

[Pogie]

Well, the only issue I had was using the wrong paint . . . and it took like a week to cure and for all the fumes to dissipate. But now thinking back it was worth it, as the paint is waterproof so I can wash it off easily if she goes potty on the rock part.

 

[ABRAXIS]

Take your time and enjoy every minute of it. You'll appreciate it much more than a ready made viv!! Good luck.

 

[Craiger]

Looks like it's going to be a nice viv when done. I've got a couple threads in this forum that you might want to look at: Sam's Place and Frodo's "in-the-wall" viv. (<---click the links)They're really nothing like the one you're getting ready to build, but there might be some useful things in there you could use as reference.

Let us know if you have any specific questions. The only thing I can tell you is to take your time....and think things through. Don't rush into anything and don't cut corners. You'll appreciate it more.

 

[grimm]

So I wad wondering what kind if substrate that is in the tank in the link I posrted. I'm trying to figure out what I'm gonna put in the bottom of it

 

[ABRAXIS]

IF YOU CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, SETTLE FOR CERAMIC TILES. THEY ARE CHEAP, EASY TO CLEAN AND LOOKS NICE.TRY TO GET AS ROUGH A TEXTURE AS POSSIBLE TO IMPROVE FOOTHOLDS.
GOOD LUCK.

 

[grimm]

ya im just worried about the structure if i had to put tiles on the bottom, cause as u can see some of them u have to seal to the ground for stability.

 

[zebraflavencs]

I wouldn't seal those in, to be honest. Just fit as tightly as you can, and if there is a gap by the edge of the enclosure, well, use paper towels there.
Hope that helps !

 

[ABRAXIS]

Itend to agree, you don't know what might be breeding underneath all that tiles. A lso if you want to move the viv it will be darn heavy unless you are able to remove the tiles beforehand.

 

[grimm]

well i guess i could just seal in a select few that need to be there to hold up the structure and just set the rest in, will have to see once i get the actual dresser to start.

 

[ABRAXIS]

yeah I guess so, if you really have to!

 

[Pogie]

My background is also kinda being held up by the tiles, but I didn't seal them in.
Once a month I remove everything to thoroughly clean the viv and if they're sealed in you wont be able to.
My background is held against the back with velcro, so it is secure when I want it to be and removable when I want it . . . .

 

[grimm]

ya im just worried about the part on the right if u look in the pic, its got a kind of support beam that goes all the way to the ground for the basking area, guess ill just have to see exactly how im gunna do it once i get the dresser. because in this one, that backdrop part of it is actually built into the dresser, it doesnt come out.

 

[Pogie]

ya im just worried about the part on the right if u look in the pic, its got a kind of support beam that goes all the way to the ground for the basking area,

Yeah Pogies one has a support beam as well and stairs. I fastened it to the platform and stuck kebab sticks through from the bottom for added stability. It looks like this and hasn't fallen off or moved with the monthly tank cleaning sessions.

 

[grimm]

well ive decided to go with a more "clean" set up for my first custom tank, back to the drawing boards lol.

 

[grimm]

ok so im going to raise up most of the bottom of the tank im building and leave about a 1'-2'-2" not raised and im going to put in a sort of substrate there for him to be able to did, or lay eggs if it turns out to be female, still to young to tell, now i know sand is not recommended, but would it be ok if it were just part of it and not the whole thing, i was thinking a mix of dirt with a little bit of sand(play sand, not calc-sand). and advice or other recommendations?

 

[grimm]

also, i want non-glazed ceramic tiles right?

 

[zebraflavencs]

You'll want something similar to this:

Hope this helps !

 

[grimm]

any comments on the sand/dirt for the "dig" spot im putting in?

 

[Pogie]

any comments on the sand/dirt for the "dig" spot im putting in?

Sorry not really.

I'm not a sand fan. Found out Pogie was female 2 months ago . . . . so I guess when we get to the digging part of her life I will ask for suggestions or just give her a sandpit of sorts inside a container. But her whole floor is tiled and I don't intend on changing back from the tiles.