This viv design?

[Baby]

I have 200$ >.> and I wanna have my moms boyfriend build me something like below~

Notes:

-I dont want to put a 'vent' along the back of the cage, is there a reason most people do? is it a 'MUST HAVE' or can I leave it out?

-Glass/Windows - what do most people use and why?

Lights- I wanted to hang the tub uvb light on the TOP and in the MIDDLE. but then we will have to use screws to hold it up there, (and I dont want an accident to happen where the screw pop's up on the other side of the wood.

Do you think its fine to hand it in the middle on the back of the cage like pictured?

-I got these measurements from what would be easiest to reach in an grab, doing the lest amount of "Reaching" (up or down) to get to either top of bottom. (Keep in mind my height >.> probably makes this thing shorter then a normal one might be.)

The fixtures I'm currently using [NOT USEING SAME BULBS THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE OF THE FIXTURE)

cant decide if I want to find a way to mount current fixture to the top of the cage or just buy a new one?
I got 4 of the big back ones I spent like 30$ on each, so I would hate to see them 'go to waste' if I cant use them..
but two of the 2 four have temp control on them, which are the two I wanted to be used.

Anyway- Suggestions-Advice? I would (I still have some more research to do)

 

[bambichik39]

I dont think those light fixtures would work. If its only going to be 16'' high, that wouldnt leave much room for the lizard to bask and not get too close to one of those fixtures. I use a outdoor flood light fixture. I also think this would cost more than 200$ unless you have some of this already. I used actual glass for the front sliding doors. Mines 1/8'' DS I believe. I just did ONE crossfire tank and all of the essentials were probably 200$ by themselves. I would just sell the lamps you currently have, and use an outdoor spotlight fixture and put it on a dimmer.

 

[dannysxu]

Yeah 16' H is a little on the short side, just experiment with different Halogen Floodlights probably a 75 or 60 and you should reach the temp you want, Halogens provide ton of heat and for cheap too. You don't have to use vents, but they do need some ventilation. So maybe you can use plexi glass and just drill in some air holes and that would be fine.

 

[Baby]

Thank you both, thats helpful~

The 40 gal tank I have now is 16" high
his basking spot has two floors/ or sorts,
and hes always on the lower floor anyway,

I planned to use something like (this rock?) in this photo (for the basking spot)

>.< photo stolen from someone else on this site. =X

so if anything that would be lower then what I have in there now.. hmm.

 

[Baby]

You don't have to use vents, but they do need some ventilation. So maybe you can use plexi glass and just drill in some air holes and that would be fine.

Well i dont mind them on the sides I just didnt wanna put one all the way along the back.
I like the holes idea, thanks.

 

[Baby]

I dont think those light fixtures would work.

I thought it I took the black part off... meh, hehe, Okay, I'm not really brave enough to resell used things. but, maybe I will just wait till I've saved up more money.

I also might be able to get my mother to match what I put in, cos I'm spoiled like that. haha. I will look into new lighting and cost, thanks dear.

 

[bambichik39]

There just wont be any way to properly mount them, at least no way easily that I can think of with that type of design. The lighting really wasnt all that expensive. Good luck!