A question about how to build my idea for an enclosure

[wikidinc528]

Hello, I am new to this site, so please if I make a faux pas please excuse me. Firstly, I do not yet have a Bearded Dragon. I would like to get one in about six months but in the meantime I want to acquire and set up everything so it is functional.

I have had anoles and iguanas before, but this will be my first Bearded Dragon and want to give him/her the best habitat possible.
I saw a picture here in one of the galleries of a beardie enclosure with grouted ceramic tile on the bottom. My dad has some very beautiful ceramic tile left over from remodeling his house; it is 12" x 12". I am not sure if his tile can be grouted, it wasn't for his house, but I guess that doesn't really matter. What I want to do is build an enclosure with the base roughly 24" W x 48" L and a height of 24". I would like to use eight pieces of my dad's tile with glass sides and a screen top. I plan to have the edges of the tile such that they won't catch a toe or toe nail, but I do plan to place sand overtop of the tile. Anyone know how I would go about doing this or have one like this themselves? I've built things but never an enclosure. Thanks!
Jennifer

 

[beardlover]

Welcome to BD.ORG!

It's ok if the tiles aren't grouted but sand is not reccomended because it is a major impaction risk as is any particle substrate.

 

[wikidinc528]

That is good to know that the tiles do not definitely have to be grouted. I am undecided on sand as of yet. Most reviews and people I have talked to say that sand is fine and they have never had a problem, but then there are others that say to absolutely not use sand. If I am able to make the cage visually appealing with the ceramic tiling then I may just stick with just that.


What I am unsure about is how to properly seat glass sides to the bottom. I was thinking of applying the ceramic tiling to a piece of sturdy plywood. However...unless I can buy "runners" or something to seat the glass panels into, then I am unsure of how to assemble the glass sides without it looking crappy. Maybe I can fashion something out of wood like tongue and groove, minus the tongue and seat the glass panels in that.

 

[beardlover]

Definitely no sand in my books. Dragons like to lick, and some are sloppy eaters, just because someone hasn't had a problem with impaction yet doesn't it can't or won't happen. Better safe then sorry. I know from experience that there is nothing harder to watch then a baby (6months old) beardie die in your hands from an impaction. Simply horrifying.

As far as attaching the glass goes...I'm not really sure, I haven't attempted it. Sorry.

 

[wikidinc528]

Hmm...well as I had to watch my sweet Iguana Gidget die in my hands after a cat attack...screw sand. I talked to my dad today about helping me build the cage. He suggested acrylic panes versus glass because they are lighter. Our plan is to secure the tiles to wood, probably plywood, and then take better quality wood and with a mitre (I think) cut grooves in the wood so that the acrylic panes sit in them. After that we shouldn't have to do too much in the way of sealing the acrylic as I don't know how safe that goop is. So the enclosure will have earth tone ceramic tile flooring, each view of a pane will be framed by the wood it is secured in, and will be 4'x2'x2'.

My dad was wondering if 1.5' ft (18 in.) would work for width? I advised against it, but am not sure. Also I have seen and heard about making enclosures using some sort of mesh and pvc. My concerns would be heat loss and the possible fire risk associated with having these lamps close to this "mesh." I am not sure what this mesh is, whether it is synthetic like a nylon or metallic in nature. Thanks for all your replies beardlover!

Jenny

 

[beardlover]

No worries I'm happy to help...


I'd be worried about the same things with the mesh. The lights can get very hot and fire would be a big risk, also your beardie would be able to climb right up to the light and possibly burn itself.
As far as sealing the panes together, if you used the same stuff that they do for aquariums then it should be perfectly safe. But it sounds like you you've got another idea figured out which should work great. Just be careful if you aren't using glass...some bulbs (like the solar glo MVB) will tell you to only use with glass tanks. You have other options then the MVB such as the repitSUN 10 tube light so don't change your plans on that alone
1.5' wouldn't be horrible, it is usually recommended to have a depth of 2feet so that your bd can easily turn around. Fully grown they can reach 2' tip of the nose to tip of the tail. I think mine is about 20''....

 

[drewdizzo]

You should consider just making your enclosure and then placing the tiles in without attaching them. I know for myself and have seen others say that it is far more convenient to have tiles that are loose. This way you can pull them out to clean them and even put them in the dishwasher to sanitize them. As for the size, it would be best to keep it at 2'x2'x4'. This is a pretty standard size for beardies, and if you happen to get one that gets really big you will want all 8 sq ft of area. You might want to consider having the back wall, floor, and ceiling made out of wood. It will help the enclosure retain more heat.