Building a new Viv!

[storky]

Hey everyone I'm starting on building my first custom Viv and have a couple questions.

1. Is fir a safe wood for building a Viv? I wanted to use birch but my small town lumber place didn't have any.

2. Is it safe to stain the outside of the Viv? I have seen some stained on the forums and am a little skeptical to use it but love the finished results.

Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[morphmom]

BUMP!

 

[Dirrtydetroit]

As i have no idea on the fir aspect of your question, i do know its perfectly safe to stain your viv. Just make sure you get very low or no VOC stain and sealer.

 

[storky]

Thanks for the answer and the bump. The stain sealant should be safe from what I read on the label. I'm also only staining the outside which will help. I'm going to styrofoam and grout the inside. I found a grout sealer that is VOC free so I should be able to use it. I finished cutting the vent holes and sanding it tonight, but am gone all weekend to try and find a house for the fall. I'll post pictures when I'm done staining it on Monday!

 

[storky]

Hey everyone. I've started making the fake rocks but I'm still debating a digging pit. It would be right beside his basking rock. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[storky]

Don't know if any one is looking at these bit here's a pic of my new setup. Not quite done yet but I finished grouting it tonight

I decided not to put in a digging pit and I'll be putting a wooden bridge from he middle rock to his cave. Also the ledges on the left and right side will house some live plants ! Any suggestions for anything else?