New viv - 4x2x4 build (pic heavy)

[Taterbug]

After months of work and I'm finally done with my upgraded enclosure. In May I started using soil substrate, my cage at the time wasn't designed for it and I ended up being unhapy with the amount of space. Seeing that my corn snake needed an upgrade anyway I decided to build a taller enclosure for Pepper and give the 4x2x2 to the snake.

This build is a 4x2x4 on a 12" stand, with an 8" waterproof basin.

Stand is Douglas Fir 2x4s
Box is 3/4" maple plywood. Back wall is birch.

At this point I started thinking maybe it was too big.

Assembled. I found maple veneer edging on eBay and used it to plug screw holes and seal the edges.

Stained. The worst part of the project.

FRP shower surround in place for the liner.

Branches and basking spot mocked up. I ended up adding two more basking areas - one bulb doesn't heat the cage enough. Each light is individualy wired and on a dimmer.

In the house... It's huge. I'm a little worried it won't all get used... At this point was pretty sure it was too big. We got rid of a couch for this monster.

Trial Run - I put in the soil and let the lights stay on for the weekend. Pepper got to try it out during the day and I kept an eye on him to make sure it's all stable and he isn't going to fall. I had to change the branches from my original plan - pepper is wider than I though D: He was all over it, up and down, up and down.

Finally! He is moved in, the leaf litter is in place (helps keep the moisture in the soil) and his hide cave setup. The rocks and logs all go to the bottom of the cage or have solid brick footings - no risk of collapse. I thought the three lights would be overkill at first, but at least in the winter they will be needed. The uvb is a T5 reptisun in a sunblaster fixture - basking platform is a UVI of ~5 at 14" away and even 2.5-3' away the UVI is over 1. I am super impressed yet again with the T5 lights. It's hidden from view but there is also a 36" T5 daylight bulb along the front edge.

Happy camper

 

[AcceptableGeek]

I am impressed xD

 

[CooperDragon]

That looks amazing. Great job!

 

[AcceptableGeek]

So you've had this setup for at least a week or two. How is it doing? Maintainence pretty easy?

 

[Taterbug]

So you've had this setup for at least a week or two. How is it doing? Maintainence pretty easy?

The maintenance is about the same as the 4x2x2 was (I don't remove furnishings etc often), but easier with the extra space. The heat is... different, I've been tweaking with it still. We were traveling for the holidays so he hasn't had a chance to get fully settled in yet. He has been using much of the space as intended though, I'll try to upload a video when I get a chance. In that regard at least, its a success. I have the 4x2x2 on the floor, so having him up at eye level is nice and he seems to like it better.

 

[AcceptableGeek]

It looks great hope you get everything dialed in. Are you using halogens for basking? I'm thinking about switching because they would be less expensive at Home Depot than getting bulbs at my pet store.

 

[Taterbug]

It looks great hope you get everything dialed in. Are you using halogens for basking? I'm thinking about switching because they would be less expensive at Home Depot than getting bulbs at my pet store.

Yep, even at home depot I'm surprised by the price. I eventually want to use metal halide I think but still lots of research to do. :study: It never ends :O

 

[Koch]

Great Build TaterBug!

Can I ask, the top section of the window face, the windowed area, which you have horizontal break, is that purely to break up the shear size of the glass. assuming its a cosmetic feature than a structural?

Reason I ask is, I am toying with the exact idea, but at the base of the viv.

Thanks

 

[Taterbug]

Yes, it's in part to break up the size of the glass (which I still haven't gotten, I'm using plexi still and it's scratched horribly). Big sheet glass costs a lot and is quite heavy.

It's also the ventilation, it fits a set of fans and the rest is adjustable with some plexi for airflow. It would be fine at the base, but would need to be glass or mesh. And in my case I would want mesh and he would just shove dirt out into the living room. Lol.

 

[Koch]

Thanks TaterBug.

I am assuming you meant, "wouldn't", when you said using either Mesh or Glass.

I was planning on using Plexi glass (perspec as we call it here in AU) at the bottom but it seems the BG and items in the cage would scratch it?

Yes, Glass is expensive and harder to work with. I will see if I can find a pane of glass for the bottom section but will stick to Perspex for the main section. Also, the bottom section I plan to have it fixed; non sliding.

 

[Koch]

Thanks TaterBug.

I am assuming you meant, "wouldn't", when you said using either Mesh or Glass.

I was planning on using Plexi glass (perspex as we call it here in AU) at the bottom but it seems the BG and items in the cage would scratch it?

Yes, Glass is expensive and harder to work with. I will see if I can find a pane of glass for the bottom section but will stick to Perspex for the main section. Also, the bottom section I plan to have it fixed; non sliding.

 

[Taterbug]

Since mine is for ventilation, I would want to use mesh for airflow. I considered it but ended up going on top. It works out because I ended up putting a shade on the enclosure.

I don't know the scratch resistance of Perspex, some acrylic sheet is better than others and the good stuff here costs about as much as glass. I got the cheaper stuff, and it's been in use about 8 months. Where he can't reach it, it's fine. So glass at the bottom and Perspex on top might work ok.