Enclosure opinions, tips and tricks

[Chris.]

So today I started to redo Luis enclosure as I've learned a lot more about what he likes. This is not the final result but it will be pretty close to what I have in mind. At this point Luis did poop on my carpet, so I decided to call it a day

The big trunk in the center is hollow so it doubles up as a hide and a ramp to the basking area.

For the substrate I found some organic soil without any fertilizer and only plant matter. That is mixed with playsand.

For reference, Luis is almost a year and the tank is around 210 Gal.

It is pretty high though, so I'm looking to fix some branches to the back wall so there is more space to climb and they could stick out to add another plane fore him to move closer to the UVB.
Does anyone have an idea how to do that. I'm thinking to put some hooks into the wall and also into the branches and use velcro or cable ties!?
Also I want to mix up the substrate a little more with some clay/sand and pure sand areas, but I'll let this run dry out first. I've the doors slighly open and the temps up a few degrees.
Opinions and thoughts are very much appreciated.

 

[xp29]

You could do a suspended upper platform. Just throw a couple wooden dowels across the top to hang it from. I've suspended my hammocks like that with good success.
Your setup looks pretty darned nice to. If I my ask where did you get the tracks for the sliding doors ? I've had a hella time trying to source those.
If you do suspend a ledge of hammock or something it might be a good idea to tether it on the ends so it doesn't swing to much. I anchored one end of my hammocks to the decor so they stayed put.

 

[hdochow]

we use one of these to hold the end of sir henry's long grape vine up. it let's the vine go from up high on the wall down to the floor for uvb variety. then we don't have to worry about measuring distance, he just goes where he wants to be.

 

[Chris.]

You could do a suspended upper platform. Just throw a couple wooden dowels across the top to hang it from. I've suspended my hammocks like that with good success.
Your setup looks pretty darned nice to. If I my ask where did you get the tracks for the sliding doors ? I've had a hella time trying to source those.
If you do suspend a ledge of hammock or something it might be a good idea to tether it on the ends so it doesn't swing to much. I anchored one end of my hammocks to the decor so they stayed put.

That sounds like it would look nice. I may have to do a trip to the hardware store again
The tracks came with the DIY set, wich I bought from a reptile store here in Germany. They do source that from somewhere else, I think, but none of it had any labbeling, I'm afraid. Your hardware store doesen't have some? Or maybe like a local carpender or something?

 

[Chris.]

we use one of these to hold the end of sir henry's long grape vine up. it let's the vine go from up high on the wall down to the floor for uvb variety. then we don't have to worry about measuring distance, he just goes where he wants to be.

That is exactly what I'm going for. Unfortunately all remaining of my branches are ether really big or tiny so I doubt they would fit this holder but the idea is good. Maybe there is something similar in a different size, I'll look that up, thanks a lot

 

[xp29]

we use one of these to hold the end of sir henry's long grape vine up. it let's the vine go from up high on the wall down to the floor for uvb variety. then we don't have to worry about measuring distance, he just goes where he wants to be.

Oh that's genius I didn't even know those existed

 

[xp29]

That sounds like it would look nice. I may have to do a trip to the hardware store again
The tracks came with the DIY set, wich I bought from a reptile store here in Germany. They do source that from somewhere else, I think, but none of it had any labbeling, I'm afraid. Your hardware store doesen't have some? Or maybe like a local carpender or something?

None of the hardware stores have anything like that, I guess if I build another custom habitat I'll maybe try getting something online.

 

[hdochow]

Oh that's genius I didn't even know those existed

it works pretty amazing! he's got a range of about 6" to 24" away. the 6" is off to the side of the uvb a little. he's currently rockin' the low end. (note to self: redo the sharpie on the command strips! LOL!!!)

 

[hdochow]

That is exactly what I'm going for. Unfortunately all remaining of my branches are ether really big or tiny so I doubt they would fit this holder but the idea is good. Maybe there is something similar in a different size, I'll look that up, thanks a lot

you're welcome! it really does make things easier to deal with. hopefully you can find something similar that will work for you.

 

[jabda]

That sounds like it would look nice. I may have to do a trip to the hardware store again
The tracks came with the DIY set, wich I bought from a reptile store here in Germany. They do source that from somewhere else, I think, but none of it had any labbeling, I'm afraid. Your hardware store doesen't have some? Or maybe like a local carpender or something?

track for sliding glass...

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sliding-Panels-Outwater-Plastics/dp/B08SH3J1PS/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=BCVLG55668XW&keywords=track%2Bfor%2Bsliding%2Bglass&qid=1696820047&sprefix=track%2Bfor%2Bsliding%2Bglass%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[Chris.]

it works pretty amazing! he's got a range of about 6" to 24" away. the 6" is off to the side of the uvb a little. he's currently rockin' the low end. (note to self: redo the sharpie on the command strips! LOL!!!)

View attachment 84518
View attachment 84519

That looks amazing really and I like how this solution is easily removeable for cleaning!

 

[Rocky2022]

Everyone is too fancy for me LOL
Good ole picture wire for me. When I found that here, I was like BRILLIANT!
Those end things look like the broom holders sold at the dollar tree split in half, that's the first thing that came into my mind. I am not recommending it due to the weight of the log but I had to share in case anyone has a smaller log or other idea.

There are so many creative people out here, I love it.

 

[xp29]

it works pretty amazing! he's got a range of about 6" to 24" away. the 6" is off to the side of the uvb a little. he's currently rockin' the low end. (note to self: redo the sharpie on the command strips! LOL!!!)

View attachment 84518
View attachment 84519

Man that is friggen awesome.
That's the coolest trick ( I'm 50 years old and refuse to say hack lmao) I've seen in a long time.

 

[xp29]

track for sliding glass...

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sliding-Panels-Outwater-Plastics/dp/B08SH3J1PS/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=BCVLG55668XW&keywords=track%2Bfor%2Bsliding%2Bglass&qid=1696820047&sprefix=track%2Bfor%2Bsliding%2Bglass%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

I think I'll order some just so I've got them on hand for future projects.