Custom Enclosures In California

[Thetopher125]

Okay so I think I'm going to start making tanks like the one pictured or just like the crossfire ones ect. I just am not sure how much to charge the one pictured is my first one. I have worked with my dad (Who is a carpenter) since i can remember and he helps me with any ideas or help I may need.

Any comments or helping ideas you may have lmk
If you happen to be anywhere near me and my want one lmk
Also maybe help with pricing because I'm not sure

Here are some pics
(It is not complete I'm letting the stain completely seal after every coat also once everything is dry I'm going to use a water guard product for wood so it is water sealed and wont warp ect. it is called OLYMPIC WaterGuard Waterproofing clear sealant)

 

[BadCon]

That sealer is basically linseed oil. There are much better alternatives, and for use in a vivarium, you really want something that dries hard. Water based polyurethane would be an option, as would polycrylic. The kicker with these types of products is to let them cure. This can take several weeks. Once cured however, they are essentially plastic, and inert. You could however use linseed oil on the outside of the enclosure...but I strongly suggest an alternative for areas where the animal will have direct contact.

As for selling, there is a classifieds section on the forum. You need to donate to get access, but those donations keep this forum alive.
With regards to pricing, it depends on the final package. Making a wooden box is one thing, but creating a complete vivarium is entirely another. Have you though about lighting and venting options? If you integrated a bullet proof lighting setup, its not unreasonable to ask prices upwards of $500 for a tank of that quality.

 

[Thetopher125]

yes i have a dual fixture(going to have to experiment with wattage of bulbs for each tank because each wood stain basking spot ect will change) and a 24'' 10.0 repti of course it is going to have sliding plexi doors and the hole in the back is for the vent fairly large for good circulation with speaker mesh on the inside to keep bugs and heat in

What would you recommend for the best sealer that isnt to hard to find because I rather use 1 product for the entire tank
Also
I will post pics once complete

 

[BadCon]

Well, you can easily get your hands on water based polyurethane, just take a trip to home depot (or any similar store). In my last viv, I personally used polycrylic...though polyurethane would probably hold up a bit better (takes longer to cure, only downside).
As for lighting, my suggestions are a dual spotlight fixture on one side, with at least 1 socket rigged to a dimmer (the other socket should remain at full power in case they wish to use a mercury vapor bulb, and those can't be dimmed). Don't worry about the wattage, as the end user will have to tailor that to their individual setup. You also shouldn't provide any bulbs due to liability and whatnot. If a bulb for whatever reason malfunctions or otherwise harms the reptile...its on you.
Then add a 36" dual fluorescent fixture. You want the dual socket, as one socket can be used for the UVB tube, and the other can be used for a daylight tube to increase the overall brightness of the tank. This is important, especially in vivariums with dark colors on the walls (or dark wood stains). Since 36" dual socket fixtures can be hard to find, you could instead use two 24" under cabinet fixtures. Should be easy enough to wire together. If anything, give them the option to add extra fixtures if needed, as depending on the animal housed the lighting requirements can vary significantly.

With lighting though, there is a ton of options...so you have some choices to make I guess .

 

[Thetopher125]

I dont really want people who get my tanks using mvb anyways I will just ask them when making final divisions of the tank if I posted this in the forsale thread do you think I would actually get some takers?

 

[Thetopher125]

also do you think a dual 24'' would work one daylight and one 10.0??

 

[BadCon]

Ya, a dual 24" fixture would work. Might be a bit odd as you'll have to locate it more towards the basking spot due to the UVB requirements. Would probably make the other side of the tank much darker. If you can find one, a 36" fixture would be a better option, as it will cover most of the tank keeping it nice and bright. Alternatively you could do two 18" fixtures on opposite sides of the tank, one for the UVB towards the basking spot, and one for a daylight bulb on the other side for additional brightness.
As for takers...I don't know. Being limited to SoCal only, your target audience on this forum is pretty small. Might be a better bet to advertise locally, or on high traffic sites like KingSnake. If the cages really turn out great, you'll probably have some people interested as most of the prebuilt tanks on the market are pretty utilitarian looking. Offer custom built furniture quality enclosures of any size, and you'll open up a market for those with large display animals.

 

[Thetopher125]

ya i got 2 24''s from walmart and im going to offset them like you said with the 18''s so they will just have to overlap a little because i wanted good uvb amounts and wouldnt feel good with just 18 for a 46'' inside diameter for the tank then the dual fixture with one for more light and the other to be a flood light for basking also i did go exchange the sealer i had for a water based polyurethane that i will be putting on in like 2 to 3 days so the stain is all good from today then let it sit for probably like 2 weeks and work on lighting, temps, and sliding plexi doors during that time then decorate(Also during this time find a one more beadier for my girl friend who is going to be housed in this palace) :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
so keep checking in so you can see the final product and shoot me a pm if you may want one

 

[BadCon]

If you can swing it, I'd go with glass. I have plexi doors on my enclosure and they were scratched to hell in no time. Plexi is easy to replace however...but for a cage of that quality, glass would be a better option.
Anyways, good luck with your enclosures! If they turn out anything like the one pictured, I'm sure you'll get some takers. That is a beautiful enclosure...one of the best I've seen.

 

[Thetopher125]

the one pictured is the one i built haha and thanks I will if i get these going this one is actually for my girlfriend lucky girl she paid materials for it lol it is going to look even nicer once i get that Gloss polyurethane on there and get lights in there at least i hope :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Thetopher125]

Updated pics
First coat of polyurethane (Looking Great 2nd/3rd/and maybe 4th Coat Tmrw)
Plexi is cut
got the lights
Vent and speaker mesh
and the ceramic tile for the floor
And sence I may be able to get that last coat tmrw I may be able to get the lights up and running also
Anyways here are the pics

 

[Thetopher125]

IT IS DONE HERE ARE SOME PICS I FINISHED LAST NIGHT SO I WILL TRY TO TAKE SOME BETTER ONES DURING THE DAY TODAY BUT YOU CAN SEE THE FINISHED PRODUCT

It is normally brighter just to bright for the camera at night lol so I turned off like half the lights and all of them in the first pic
Lmk what you guys think