Building new viv for Spike

[TheGreganater]

Very much over due expansion for Spike but I am planning on building him an new viv in the next couple of months, once the weather gets nicer outside to work properly! But thought what is a better time then the present to get input and compile an finished draft and supplies.
So I am planning on basing it off the crossfire design and borrow ideas from the vivextoic design http://uk.hagen.com/Reptile/Vivarium-Set/PT4027
1.Basically designing it to be 48"x24"x18" It will have sliding doors or opening doors.

2.I have two ideas for bottom ventilation according to what I assume will be the best way to get fresh air into the viv the one above, lower diagram, and the one below on either side(all with screen meshing to prevent escapees, and in my greatest effort, finding an fine grill vent. I have found small round vents online that seem to have very fine grills so might exchange the square to a bunch of circle ones

3. My conception for inside platforms for resting, eating, and basking is borrowed from vivexotics concept is

It will contain the use of my hammock that will be at about 8 inches away from uvb source, and below that will be an additional platform to contain two different layers of basking/uvb. On the far side will be an built in platform that will serve as an food/water platform with an underneath portion that will be the darkest location within the viv to serve as sleeping/resting completely out of light(if he every actually uses it :lol: ) and oh course the log will be used to get up and down from the basking spot

4. Heat Lamps
For basking an night time heat I was considering using my existing lamps and borrow the concept from vivexotic again. 1st is simply two holes cut out with excess around the sides to support the lamps within the hood and allowing some heat escape. 2nd is the concept of the wire mesh top, having the back part wood to support the fluorescent fixture and the rest of the top being an thicker chicken wire type and same idea as lamps on top.

It is still plausible to build new lamps into the top of the viv but would rather have something that would promote great air exchange and heat exchange

5. Heat exchange
Does my plan promote to much or not enough heat exchange that you can foresee?

6.Fluorescent fixture/bulbs.
Everyone I know up here that has an bearded dragon uses repti-glo and has some of the healthiest animals. My local pet store owners/managers actually travels around the world to various reptile shows and does train their employees in one area, so they actually know what they are talking about. They have various reptiles there that both have been raised under zoomed/exoterra products to ensure they know whats up in this products, and both dragons act the same and have the same attitude so honestly see no reason to spend an additional $10-$20 per bulb so for money and convience sakes I will have to go with exo-terra bulbs.
I may not use an direct built in fixture but instead use the light unit that exo-terra has developed for their bulbs.


My major problem with this project is living in an city that doesnt have the greatest stores to get supplies from. Rona, home hardware, canadian tire, walmart.
If you can give me some good feedback/input from what you have experienced that could make my viv the best I can make it, it will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Taterbug]

We built a crossfire so it's a little taller. The light fixtures are all mounted on the inside and the lid is wood, so it serves as a table as well. I am a big fan of the usable top surface. The 24" height is a must if the lights are inside though. I love the height as it's more flexible for furniture. The top gets warm but it also stays warm at night. I don't use night heat.

Also, consider putting the UVB more in the center of the tank as it will give you more options down the road. On the side you are stuck with the basking spot always on the side.

The vents you are looking for might be in the siding area, they are for attic ventilation I think. I have two if these one on each wall. It's decent ventilation (no humidity problems) but I've considered adding a small computer fan to help vent to poop stink. I don't think its needed. In hindsight mesh screen would have been fine instead of the vents. The vent covers are purely for looks.

 

[TheGreganater]

We built a crossfire so it's a little taller. The light fixtures are all mounted on the inside and the lid is wood, so it serves as a table as well. I am a big fan of the usable top surface. The 24" height is a must if the lights are inside though. I love the height as it's more flexible for furniture. The top gets warm but it also stays warm at night. I don't use night heat.

I would perfer to have an useable top as well, so I might redesign to allow mounting of inside lights, I need night time heat, especially during the winter as we are in Northern Alberta and our house gets to about 65 and his tank is always next to an outside wall perfer to keep his sleeping spot an nice 70 so that I know personally that he isnt getting colder temps at night

]Also, consider putting the UVB more in the center of the tank as it will give you more options down the road. On the side you are stuck with the basking spot always on the side.

Thats where I was considering the use of an screen top that will allow me room to move the basking spot around as I need, and didnt want to be stuck with an single position for my light mounting but it is viable to be able to move that around easy enough

The vents you are looking for might be in the siding area, they are for attic ventilation I think. I have two if these one on each wall. It's decent ventilation (no humidity problems) but I've considered adding a small computer fan to help vent to poop stink. I don't think its needed. In hindsight mesh screen would have been fine instead of the vents. The vent covers are purely for looks.

I think that having an couple good looking vents below the sliding area(in the first picture) would promote an better airflow as that is more where an airflow will consist for me, as I have one side right next to an wall and the other besides an leopard gecko viv
I think that an mesh screen would work great for attic vent, but do plan on looking into what my local hardware stores have for vent covers, as I like to have the ability to control amount of ventilation, such as closing off more venting to maintain more heat and/or humidity if I need to.

 

[Taterbug]

I've thought a few times if I could change anything it would be the light fixtures. At the least having the UVB on a chain or something so I can adjust side to side or up and down.

Makes sense about the side vents, we have open space to either side so it's not a problem. One concern might be cleaning them if they are in pooping range.

Maybe you are matching caging you already have, and this is just an idea, but have you considered to make a mock up with cardboard or something, at least for the front. Get an idea of the opening size and stuff, and make sure you are happy with it. Will it accommodate furniture or are you pretty sure you will be content with the same layout long term?

What do you plan on using for materials? I look forward to seeing it when you are done. I love seeing everyone's DIY stuff.

 

[TheGreganater]

I've thought a few times if I could change anything it would be the light fixtures. At the least having the UVB on a chain or something so I can adjust side to side or up and down.

Makes sense about the side vents, we have open space to either side so it's not a problem. One concern might be cleaning them if they are in pooping range.

Was thinking of making use of http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/light_unit.php or similar product so I do have the freedom to adjust the uvb lamp around, as I had an hard time finding 36 inch fixtures last time I checked, and the stores up here are a bit lacking in customer service and offering to order in product.
Was one of my concerns about the vents were pop but going to make sure they are high enough off the ground to make sure it wouldnt cause an problem, and would make the vents removal for cleaning anyways

Maybe you are matching caging you already have, and this is just an idea, but have you considered to make a mock up with cardboard or something, at least for the front. Get an idea of the opening size and stuff, and make sure you are happy with it. Will it accommodate furniture or are you pretty sure you will be content with the same layout long term?

This is honestly the best idea ever! Would of never thought of this on my own, we still have tons of moving boxes, and bigger boxes I can cannibalize for this project.
I give you massive props for thinking of this, gives me an better idea then just trying to visual it on paper, but gives me an actual space to organize and design, and maybe make it beardie safe and let spike have an feel for his future home, much like an show home :lol:

What do you plan on using for materials? I look forward to seeing it when you are done. I love seeing everyone's DIY stuff.

Was thinking 5/8 or smallest size avaiable melamine board as that is an easy product to work with and gives an nice finish

 

[Taterbug]

Haha I've long since accepted what I see in my head is never the same as what comes out once I start building. Good luck on your show home!

If it's not on your list, keep an eye out for the iron on laminate for the edges. It is a great finishing touch!

 

[TheGreganater]

Haha I've long since accepted what I see in my head is never the same as what comes out once I start building. Good luck on your show home!

If it's not on your list, keep an eye out for the iron on laminate for the edges. It is a great finishing touch!

yup defiantly on my list! This is going to be one of my first projects that I am tackling myself, as I have helped my dad work and build everything in our house so, will have his advice and help along the way if I need it.

 

[TheGreganater]

just an quick update cause life sucks,

I am currently working in camp and only have an day off every week or so. i dont know how long this will last but will start working on my template when I get back to an normal schedule