Need confirmation on building materials

[BBandsCareTaker]

Hey everyone!

I have been thinking about building my own tank for Bandit. I will first tell you what im doing, then ask questions. I am going to build a tank out of wood, with a plex-glass sliding door in the front, and on the inside make 'fake rock'.

1.) What wood would be best? He wont, probably, ever be indirect contact with the wood...but I just want to see anyway
2.) Any good ideas for building a sliding front door?
3.) Making fake rock
--3a.) I have read a lot about using a type of Styrofoam to build the fake rock base, is that correct?
--3b.) I have also read about layering the Styrofoam with granite (or something), is that correct?
--3c.) Paint, what kind of paints should I use...or how should I...color the granite?
--3d.) Clear finish, I read that there should be a sealing/clear coat finish? True? How many layers? etc
4.) Any other advice?

I am pretty handy at building things, just need to know info. Mostly concerned about my poopers health. Thanks!

 

[LeGiTbEaRdIe]

for the false rock here is a good article http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/falserock/

 

[ja0brinkmeyer]

3/4 in ply wood i just used what the lumber yard had
i bought some track for mine and use real glass because the dragons can scratch plexiglass up
for the paint use a water based latex non toxic if you can find it

 

[FUNTEAM]

I know this isn't one of your particular questions but I feel a need to answer it. Have you thought about what you are going to have the sliding doors made of. I know when we built ours we didn't think that was so important as the paint, wood, flooring but now I know different. We went for plastic instead of real glass and we are soon going to have to replace it. My beardie will spend a whole day just starching on it. The sound of a dragon's claws against plastic is unbearable, almost as bad as nails against a chalkboard. I would advise to make sure you have a latch. I have had to add one. He learn to open the sliding door somehow. I am still don't know exactly how. But one day he escape and when you also have cats that is an awful experience.

 

[BBandsCareTaker]

for the false rock here is a good article http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/falserock/

Hey, thanks for the article! That should really be a big help! Much appreciated!

 

[BBandsCareTaker]

3/4 in ply wood i just used what the lumber yard had
i bought some track for mine and use real glass because the dragons can scratch plexiglass up
for the paint use a water based latex non toxic if you can find it

Thanks for the tips, I should really look into glass instead of plastic. I will make sure to find a latex (non-toxic) paint. I really appreciate the tips and help!

 

[BBandsCareTaker]

I know this isn't one of your particular questions but I feel a need to answer it. Have you thought about what you are going to have the sliding doors made of. I know when we built ours we didn't think that was so important as the paint, wood, flooring but now I know different. We went for plastic instead of real glass and we are soon going to have to replace it. My beardie will spend a whole day just starching on it. The sound of a dragon's claws against plastic is unbearable, almost as bad as nails against a chalkboard. I would advise to make sure you have a latch. I have had to add one. He learn to open the sliding door somehow. I am still don't know exactly how. But one day he escape and when you also have cats that is an awful experience.

i did think about putting a latch on. I had seen a lot of other people tanks and saw the sliding door and thought that would be much easier than opening the top! I probably will use glass for the door, I dont feel like hearing scratching! Bandit usually will scratch at the tank he is in now whenever I come come from being gone a long time. Thanks for the advice!