Need non-styrofoam alternatives. Please help!!!

[hazzaram]

I'm getting my baby beardie soon and I want to get the tank set up in advance so I can get the temps right. But so far, I can't even get the tank set up. I am so frustrated, I just want to quit

I have a tank that's 24 inches tall, so I need something pretty damn tall in there so she can reach the heat/uvb. I've tried bricks, no go. I have to use so many of them to reach high enough that they get wobbly and unstable, and the weight on the glass scares me. I tried gluing a piece of slate to a flower pot, which I saw somewhere on here... but it's not tall enough and the no nails glue hasn't dried after a few days and it's not sticking.

I've TRIED making something out of styrofoam. I don't have the time, patience or skills for it. I bought everything and so far I've started over 3 times. I just can't get it right and I'm super frustrated with it.

The petstore has some wooden/ceramic decor but everything in the size I need is $50-$80 and I just don't have that kind of extra money after buying the tank, lighting etc.

I need HELP!! I'm supposed to be getting her on August 5th but if I can't get her tank done, I obviously can't get her!!

This is my tank. Not the best pic, but it shows the bricks, which was my last attempt. They're so wobbly, they're on the verge of falling over at the slightest touch

Help, please!

 

[AcceptableGeek]

You could use a higher wattage basking bulb to increase temps lower in the tank.

 

[Taterbug]

You could use a higher wattage basking bulb to increase temps lower in the tank.

Also - branches! I get mine from outside.

 

[wuke]

My enclosure is 24" tall as well, and I also had a hard time getting it hot enough in the basking spot. Here's what I ended up with, and it has been working pretty well for my bearded dragon. The basking light is a 150W incandescent (make sure the lamp fixture is rated for at least as much as your bulb). I found this basking light setup to be very directional. The temperature the thermometer detects against the back wall is 10-12 degrees cooler than the spot on the top of the driftwood. And with a 24" tall enclosure, there's no need for a lid (at least until your lizard can jump higher), so you can mount the lamp lower down inside like I have here.

 

[mhensley121]

I know you said foam alternatives, but here's how I worked with my foam. Maybe it will help you.

first random pile, I made a tunnel under mine.

drying, I bought the foam for about $15 and used power lock adhesive

applied non sanded grout with a brush, about 3 coats

sealed with modpodge, it's nontoxic and added sand for texture

done, I placed wooden dowels through the foam to keep it steady

Pretty cheap and you get a custom look. It only took me two days and this was my first try. Hope this helps.

 

[mhensley121]

BTW my Viv is 24, gets plenty of heat. I think I have a 60 watt bulb in there, I'll check. Stays about 96 degrees on the hot side.

 

[hazzaram]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! I came up with something and I'm hoping this will work. I'll share a pic, let me know.

The 'platform' is made of pieces of a wire storage unit that are zip-tied together. It's open underneath and on top is a piece of slate and a couple bricks to hold it steady. The ramp is a piece of wood I found in the basement. I'm going to wash it down and staple material over it so she can get up easily. Then there's the platform and cave that the ramp is resting on.

My biggest problem is securing the ramp so it doesn't fall over when she's on it...

Anyway, here it is! The UVB light is hard to see. It's right behind the dome fixture and open over the cage so nothing is blocking the light.

I'm going to keep working on the stupid styrofoam stuff but it'll probably take me a long time to finish, so this is just temporary.

 

[mhensley121]

I've got a problem I did not see until I got my lizard on the new 'rocks'. I did not make them wide enough for her to turn around easily. Just something to keep in mind if you decide to try the foam.