Great find and a question

[ViciousCharmander]

I was at Goodwill yesterday and I found they greatest thing for an enclosure, a glass display case. All that would need done is lighting and vents, I'm going to go pick it up this morning if its still there :3. Which leads me to a question, How would be the best way to go about lighting something that has glass on the top, I know the uv lighting is going to be simple, but the heating is what is going to get me, any advice?

Thanks

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello,

There have actually been a few people on here who have converted glass display cases into vivs. I had thought about doing it and then found a good deal on a tank on craigslist. Have you tried searching the Enclosure forum for display cases...you'd probably find something that way.

The only ideas I can come up with is maybe cutting a hole in the top of the glass top, where you would have your basking light. Maybe you could replace the glass with wood, not sure.

I'm sure you will get replies from other people on some great ideas.

Good Luck!

Dawn

 

[DistDrag]

You would have a few options but it depends on the construction of the display case. To start with the glass is probably tempered meaning you can't cut a hole in it.

One option is to remove the top glass and replace it with some other material such as plywood. Then you would be able to cut holes or attach whatever fixtures you choose.

Another option is to mount a couple pieces of wood that extend the length of the case. Possibly attaching to the framing of the display case. If the ends are not glass then you could mount to them. This would provide a surface for mounting fixtures.

Some display cases have florescent fixtures built into them.

Kevin

 

[ViciousCharmander]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j46/freak_show1123/Draggies/Image084.jpg

I have a few ideas on how to do lighting. and i have a few round 3" vents to put in, question is, how many should I do? Demensions are 48"x18"x25" thats the enclosure its self, not including the base. What do you all think?

 

[ViciousCharmander]

Well I went ahead and did 3 vents 1 on each side about 6 inches from the top and one on the back close to the bottom. I'll plug everything in and see what the temps look like before I decide to put any more I may put one more on the back, thats where the wooden doors are. Ill take pictures when I have the fixtures put in and all that.

 

[Krisymof2]

Please post pics when you are done!

 

[jakeh2009]

that does look like a good find, nice job. like you said you should just test your temps and adjust from there. of your temps get too high and you have alot of vents you may be able to place a small fan blowing across the back to help regulate the temps. yea please post pics when you get it set up we would like to see how that works out, wish i could find a case like that. good luck

 

[pwargcm]

well i would just put two light fixtures inside the case. one strip light fixture for a tube. and one regular one for a basking bulb. i think you may be thinking of putting your uv on top of the case and letting it shine through. but i would not suggest that. since glass and plexi both filter out uv rays. then it will be pointless to your animal. if not then i just wasted a breath by telling you that. haha. but thats gonna be a cool cage man. great find.

 

[ViciousCharmander]

Oh no, I've done enough research to know that glass and mesh can take away from the uvb, so what I did was put up a piece of wood the length of the cage along the back, and the light fixture and heat lamp go on it (I actually have an excuse to use the clamp LOL) Only thing is I need to bring it in the house before I can get accurate temp readings, and dragging that thing in and out of the house is going to be a pain in my a** lol, Thanks for the words of wisdom guys and or gals, its appreciated.