Custom Wooden Terrarium

[FaytheBeardieMama]

Hello all! A while back I posted a question about my dragons eye. I found that nothing is wrong, thank god but I was also informed that I had him in a too small terrarium. I was very worried about that, as I do not have the cash to buy him a proper sized terrarium. However, I recently got the idea to make him one! I had all the materials so it will cost me nothing. I started working on it last night and I have some questions about it.

This is how it looks so far.

In the front, there is going to be screen. I’m going to make a door (with a latch) so I can get him in and out.

On the top, the lid can be opened. There’s going to be screen there as well, for the lights to sit on. I included that to make it easier to get decorations in/out.

. I am also going to build him a perch and ramp so 1.) it will be more stable 2.) I won’t have to spend money on one

Anyway, now for the questions. The wood I made it out of is not treated. But what should I do to ensure that it is safe for him to be in, if and when he tries to lick it? Also, I was thinking of leaving some of the wood on the bottom exposed, because I think that could help keep his nails short. Is there a con to this that I haven’t thought of? For my last question, I’m wondering if having the screen in the front will make it hard to regulate temps? It’s not going to be completely screen, because of the door, but about 2/3 of the front will be.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Faye, that looks really good....only thing you might have done different is to make it just a little bit shorter + wider. More floor space is always good,but that will work. The wood itself should be fine, including a partly bare floor but keep in mind that might be hard to clean if he poos on it. Screen will allow a lot of heat to escape and it's also a bit of a hazard for their claws getting stuck + possibly twisting a foot. I'd not use screen myself but maybe others have done so + can comment on that.

 

[CooperDragon]

That's fortunate you're able to get a good deal on material. That makes building your own a no brainer. You might want to seal the wood with polyurethane or even paint it to protect against moisture damage. Once you have the enclosure and furniture the way you want, I advise investing in a high quality T5 UVB light. A 22'' works well in most cases. They are the most efficient for that type of enclosure. The screen should allow for enough ventilation but if you decide to go with glass and a solid top, you'll want to cut ventilation holes on the lower cool side and upper warm side to allow for enough airflow.

 

[FaytheBeardieMama]

Hi Faye, that looks really good....only thing you might have done different is to make it just a little bit shorter + wider. More floor space is always good,but that will work. The wood itself should be fine, including a partly bare floor but keep in mind that might be hard to clean if he poos on it. Screen will allow a lot of heat to escape and it's also a bit of a hazard for their claws getting stuck + possibly twisting a foot. I'd not use screen myself but maybe others have done so + can comment on that.

Yes, I wish it could be wider. I originally had it wider but I had an accident with the saw and had to cut it down haha. So would you suggest having less screen on the front? Or maybe making it so the screen on the front is at the top and the bottom has wood?

 

[AHBD]

I'd go with glass in the front and partial screen on the top. It would keep heat much better and you could always block part of the top if too much heat escaped. Also the uvb bulb that Cooper mentioned, you want that type for the best uvb exposure.

 

[FaytheBeardieMama]

That's fortunate you're able to get a good deal on material. That makes building your own a no brainer. You might want to seal the wood with polyurethane or even paint it to protect against moisture damage. Once you have the enclosure and furniture the way you want, I advise investing in a high quality T5 UVB light. A 22'' works well in most cases. They are the most efficient for that type of enclosure. The screen should allow for enough ventilation but if you decide to go with glass and a solid top, you'll want to cut ventilation holes on the lower cool side and upper warm side to allow for enough airflow.

Great, thanks. I’ve got the light on my list

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[FaytheBeardieMama]

So, I have an update on the terrarium! I’ve added tile and a basking platform/ramp so far.

The only problem I noticed when I had him “test run it” was that he slid a little on the tile. Can I get clear bath grippies and put them on the tile or would that look tacky? They’re just little circles. I want him to be safe!