Building enclosure

[isdrake]

We are building a new enclosure for our bearded dragon Zelda. We are also building a new enclosure for our Tegu at the same time. It's a lot of hard work but I think it will turn out good. Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated.

The enclosure has the measures: L150 x D100 x H90 cm / L4.9 x D3.3 x H2.6 feet
It can't fit though a doorway so we had to make it in a way so that it can be taken apart.

Walls in place.

Beardies enclosure on top of the Tegu enclosure.

Our beardie has already moved in. It's far from finished. It looks empty and boring but the climate is good.

The background had to be done in three separate parts so that they can be simply removed from the enclosure then we have to move the whole thing. I'm using styrofoam and paper for the base.

The whole thing is covered in Papier-maché which keeps the styrofoam from melting then putting resin on it.

Added glass fiber and polyurethane resin.

Added colour using polyurethane resin mixed with pigment.

 

[thechink09]

looks good

 

[Rukia1988]

Can't wait to see the finished product. Where did you get your glass from?

 

[andrewlloyd]

Whats that blue stuff that is shown in the first couple of pics?
Is that just styrofoam?

Looks awesome by the way!

Cheers,

 

[isdrake]

Thanks. The blue stuff is indeed styrofoam. It's just a more expensive and harder type. I think it was too hard to work with, I would recommend the regular white styrofoam instead.

I got the glass from my local reptile shop.

 

[andrewlloyd]

Cheers mate,
I'll be deffiently looking into something like this

 

[isdrake]

I didn't notice the "DIY"-discussion. Maybe someone can move this thread? ^^

 

[diamc]

Moved here from Enclosure forum as requested by OP

 

[isdrake]

The fake rock background is finally finished! I have worked so hard for this and it took me forever. Then we tried to put in in yesterday we discovered that both the short sides was to long to fit. So we had to cut them with a saw. But it turned out okay.

Now there is just some small details left plus another UVB-lamp left. I want to make a water bowl that is easy to clean and fits the rest of the enclosure. It sort of feels unnecessary because I have never, ever seen her drink or soak. But I figure the should have the chance if she change her mind XD I also want to make pots that looks like rock.

 

[andrewlloyd]

Im in love.

LOOKS AMAZING!

 

[isdrake]

Im in love.

LOOKS AMAZING!

Thanks.

 

[isdrake]

Zelda seems insecure in her new home (even though she technical have lived there for some time now). She spends most of her time hiding behind the plants and she doesn't seem to know where she should sleep at night. I hope she will settle down soon. And I really hope she will enjoy her new enclosure.

What do you guts think? Should I put in more branches that she can climb on or will that be to much?

 

[JeffSimpson]

Zelda seems insecure in her new home (even though she technical have lived there for some time now). She spends most of her time hiding behind the plants and she doesn't seem to know where she should sleep at night. I hope she will settle down soon. And I really hope she will enjoy her new enclosure.

What do you guts think? Should I put in more branches that she can climb on or will that be to much?

Regarding the lighting, is the one in the reflector just a regular light / basking bulb? I'm assuming the tube light is the UVB bulb? It seems like it's a little too high up, and the basking bulb is a litle too low. Just a thought.

 

[isdrake]

Regarding the lighting, is the one in the reflector just a regular light / basking bulb? I'm assuming the tube light is the UVB bulb? It seems like it's a little too high up, and the basking bulb is a litle too low. Just a thought.

Thanks for the input. The tube has no UVB, it's just there to give light and high color temperature. The basking bulb is a Exo-terra Solar Glo so that gives UVB (going to change it to Mega ray). And yes, it is too low in the picture but that is changed now.

We will add another UVB light on the upper left. I was thinking about Exo-terras fluorescent bulb but I was toled they didn't give enough UVB so I will look for something better.

 

[JeffSimpson]

Regarding the lighting, is the one in the reflector just a regular light / basking bulb? I'm assuming the tube light is the UVB bulb? It seems like it's a little too high up, and the basking bulb is a litle too low. Just a thought.

Thanks for the input. The tube has no UVB, it's just there to give light and high color temperature. The basking bulb is a Exo-terra Solar Glo so that gives UVB (going to change it to Mega ray). And yes, it is too low in the picture but that is changed now.

We will add another UVB light on the upper left. I was thinking about Exo-terras fluorescent bulb but I was toled they didn't give enough UVB so I will look for something better.

From what I've read, one UVB bulb (i.e. MVB) is enough. There is such a thing as "too much" uvb. Also, don't forget about the "minimum" distance requirements for MVB bulbs.