Finally finished DIY 5x3x3

[Ed707]

Took me awhile but I finally got the enclosure mostly done. Just checking lighting temperatures and have to finish hanging the tube light. Sliding 1/4 plexiglass in the front. Slate tile across the bottom and some cheap bricks and a paving stone for his basking spot. Off to a local vivarium shop to get some more things for the inside tomorrow. Getting our dragon next Wednesday hopefully. Let me know what you guys think or if anyone has any questions!

 

[CooperDragon]

That looks fantastic! If you can find some nice wide pieces of driftwood they would make a nice ramp going up to the basking platform.

 

[Ed707]

Thanks cooper! I just bought a big piece of grapevine I was going to use for a ramp for him to climb up to the basking spot. Kinda sux... I washed it and was going to bake it but it doesn't really fit in my oven lol

 

[CooperDragon]

Grapevine will work nicely. If it's too big to fit in the oven, try picking up a small steam cleaner so you can at least clean it and sanitize it if it gets pooped on. Doesn't kill off any bugs that may be inside the wood but I think that's probably a minimal risk anyway.

 

[Ed707]

More pics!

 

[CooperDragon]

That's looking even better. I like the addition of the fern. You may want to have a ramp or something similar ready for the front side of the basking spot. You'll find that dragons like to jump so you may need to put a ramp in place next to the vine to ensure your new buddy doesn't insist on taking the short way down which may cause injury. May not need it but I'd have something ready to go just in case.

 

[Ed707]

Thanks cooper, I was a little worried about that too. You replied at just the right time because I'm at home depot right now and because you reminded me I'm going to get a few more bricks to put around his hide under her basking spot making the drop not so steep! I ordered her last night she should be here by tomorrow!

 

[Bunny]

Can you explain/post a pic of how you mounted the lights? I'm working on the design of a new viv for our girl but am stumped on how to mount the lights...

 

[Ed707]

I can post pics of how I did it tonight, I'm out right now xmas shopping so can't atm. For the heat lamp I have a flukers 10 inch clamp lamp, it has the round ceramic fixture that after measuring was 1 & 3/4 inches across. It also has holes right next to it in the reflector hood that's used for mounting. I bought a 1 & 3/4 inch holesaw and used it to cut the hole and it fit perfectly. Bought 4 small hex head bolts with matching small washers and hex head nuts and used a open ended wrench and a ratchet with a extension to tighten it down. The strip light fixture is a nanotech sunbeam or whatever and it came with clips that attach to the top of it that have holes you can thread something like tie wire (which I used) to thread through it for hanging. Hardware stores like lowes or home depot have bolts that you can buy that have a open hole head that you can thread the tie wire through on the other side to hang it. Just predrill small holes and make sure to use spacers to keep it airtight and not damage or dig into the wood. I liked using the tiewire because it makes it easy to adjust the strip light up or down to the 12 inches from basking platform that is recommended for my light.

 

[Ed707]

I would post pics but for some reason it's not letting me. I'll try again tomorrow

 

[Ed707]

Ok got the pics uploaded here we go...

I hung my basking light like this

Cutting the hole with this holesaw, hooks right up to a drill

My strip light I hung... hopefully you can see the open headed bolts... this is from the inside

This is from the top

Pretty easy, really depends what your cage is made out of... mines is 1/4 inch plywood which is why I opted for bolts with spacers and nuts... if you have thick plywood or melanine you could use a regular wood screw but I wouldn't recommend it... I always use bolts and nuts when I can... can get a tighter bite and makes disassemble easier... hope this helped

 

[sweetiepie9]

It looks great! I have a friend who's dad is building her one and they wanted to know the best type of wood to use. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ed707]

I used 1/4 inch birch plywood with 2x2 braces to keep it strong but lightweight. If there building a big enclosure I wouldn't go with thick plywood, it'll make it really heavy. The 1/4 inch plywood in 8x8 sheets was pretty cheap. I wouldn't use any type of particle or recycled wood. Of course cedar and pine are toxic and shouldn't be used. Any other should be fine, birch wood, alder wood, oak are all fine.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Thanks so much for the info, I'll let my friend know!

 

[Beardo50]

That looks awesome ed nice job. Ill post some pics of mine when its done. cheers!!!