Dexter's new viv! Based on Crossfire dragons enclosure.

[MeatHead]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to post a little progress thread as I build Dexter's new viv! I used the plans from here: http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/ I was able to find pretty much everything I needed to get the job done at Home Depot, but I have a few internet items I'm waiting on before I can finish up! If anyone is gearing up to build one of these here is a price list based on my area's Home Depot.

4x8 sheet of 3/4 Melamine: $33.98
Melamine Edging Tape: $5.08
24x48 sheet of Plexi-Glass: $19.79
16X8 Vents with screen backs (x4): $1.56 Total: $6.24
2" Round Vents (Pack of 6): $8.39
Liquid Nails: $2.47
Box of wood screws 1 3/4 inch: $5.37

Grand total thus far for materials: $81.32

Of course I'm missing some items like the trim for around the front once I have my doors in place. No light fixtures yet either. I couldn't find a T8 florescent fixture at Lowes or Home Depot, but the T12 runs $9.80 while the adjustable flood light base was also $12.98 at Lowes. I also need to find the track for my sliding doors though I'm very close to setting up my router to just cut my own out of wood and putting some felt in the bottom for the track. Basically looking at about $30 to finish this project out. I was of course missing some tools from those prices. I need a jigsaw to cut out the vents, and I bought a big t-square to help with some of the measuring.

So far this is what I have after about 5 hours:

I wanted a little extra ventilation on the top (since I couldn't find the original 3 inch vents the plans call for), so I put 5 extra of the circle vents on the top front and the back wall. It didn't go too bad considering I free cut everything with a jigsaw and a circular saw. I think for my next viv I will be borrowing a table saw to prevent me from having to do all the extra sanding lol! I'll keep you guys posted on the prices and when the internet parts come in. I will be doing fake walls on all 3 sides and a fake stone basking platform with a cave as well. Lots of grout in my future!

 

[landoflor]

looks great man ^^

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Looking good.

 

[MeatHead]

Thanks guys!

Started working on the removable basking spot. this is my first attempt with doing this... lol! I will most likely remove the legs and try something different before I grout it. I'm actually having a lot of fun with this part! I'm still trying to figure out a way to work in the ramp/stairs to get him up there. Back to the drawing board!

 

[dvandriesen]

Wow i didnt realize that the website i put together was helping so many people out been away from the scene for sometime only really check not here.

 

[MoparSRT]

wow man thats pretty cool, im thinkin about the same thing as well, hopefully ill be doin some photos along the way. all for my man jazz. but hell ya deffinatly looks good. im loving the basking area as well your constructing, i just stumbled onto that today myself and will be gettin into it as well. if you could i would to know how much that foam and so on has cost you thus far. i cant wait to start mine now that i know how to do something like that, thanks either way fir the great work n so on