upgrading to a new vivarium! input please :]

[Scottishscales]

I am in the design phase of a new vivarium and i am trying to get all my ducks in a row for my little guy. I currently have him in an old fishtank that is only 12 inches deep 18 to 24 inches tall and about 2.5 to 3 feet long, and he is quickly getting too big

I have one 18" uvb bulb for this tank but the new viv that im designing will be about 3 to 4 feet long, 2 feet deep and either 2 feet or 30 inches tall. Will i have to add another uvb bulb or will just the one work? I also wanted to know about what is easiest material to clean for the floor. Id like to avoid using sand if at all possible, and i dont want just wood either. I was thinking something that looked like a dirt ground or grassy ground was my idea. Suggestions about the floor and info about the uvb would be super appreciated

 

[MyBilbo]

Let's bring this old post back to life,

I use play sand but only a very little amount as I have a lot of rocks in there too, rocks are good as they hold temperature, and also keep there nails down so no scratches, I have no issues with play sand as it also encourages nautural digging behaviour, if you got a lot of rocks it decreases the chance of ingesting the sand.

 

[Scottishscales]

Thank you for your input. I decided to go with the sand because shes a female and will need somewhere to dig. I like the idea of rocks for the nails. Hers are razor sharp at this point im in the process of building the enclosure now so ill post pictures when i get the sanding and staining done

 

[MyBilbo]

I'd like to see some pics, you can scout my pics out if you need any ideas, I'm getting my new viv next week can't wait to get it set up, in the last 5 months it's changed 3 times lol but when I get this viv ok set it up and that will be that, pics nexts week

If you live near a rocky beach you can take them from there, but you'll need to treat them, be careful not to pick up porous rocks as they are a pain to clean pooh off lol,

Wrinse in warm water, soak in Very hot bleachy water and scrub them for around 15-20 mins, then wrinse again and soak in very hot clean water, wrinse them then out them in the oven on max heat for 20 mins. They'll take a while to cool but you can guarantee they are safe enough to out in your viv

 

[Taterbug]

Thank you for your input. I decided to go with the sand because shes a female and will need somewhere to dig. I like the idea of rocks for the nails. Hers are razor sharp at this point im in the process of building the enclosure now so ill post pictures when i get the sanding and staining done

Plain sand won't really offer your female a place to dig to lay eggs, if that's the intent. It's really loose and shifting and won't hold a burrow for her. Layboxes are typically wetted to keep shape.

 

[Scottishscales]

I have the sand so that when i need to put a breeder box the sand isnt foreign. She gets kinda stressed at new things.

MyBilbo, i love the look of your viv with the rocks! I want to get a nice piece of flat patio flagstone for her. Here are some pics of what her viv used to look like and the construction process of the new one

Her viv and her when i first brought her home...

Her now :]

What her viv looks like now...

Construction through to where i am now...

Got sanding and staining to do for the outside then its decorating the inside i am going to use grout and foam to make it look like a castle courtyard.

And sorry about the sideways images

 

[MyBilbo]

That sounds very cool, I like what your making, I wish I had the time and space to build my own would have been a lot cheaper I wager. Although I'm happy with the one im getting paid £200, seen it yesterday and I love it, picking it up on the 28 and will have it all set up and with him in on the 29 So will post a load of pics then

 

[MyBilbo]

Here it is, got it Monday and just put him in today. The back ground is just temporary for now, but I think its looks smart so may stay? He has had a rough few days so he is not the happiest dragon in the world but im sure hell be back to him self in a day or 2

 

[Scottishscales]

That viv is AWESOME! He'll get used to being in there and probably love it. Theres so much to climb on and idk if mine is cheaper ive already dropped a few hundred $ on mine. Cant wait for it to finally be done.

Also how are you lighting your viv? Its so bright. Im worried about mine being too dim.

 

[MyBilbo]

Thank you very much, I'm rather proud of it my self, i am using an Acadia 48inch T5 tube with a reflector.

The tube is amazing, but with the reflector it's is just outstanding! I hear you guys across the pond can't hold of arcadia Stuff? It's the bees knees and if you can get it do so! If not, I think I'd recommend a reflector anyway to push the light wasted up back down.

You can adjust it so to get he best results, my background does not go all the way to the top so I moved the reflector so that no light is directed higher than the vents this gives the appearance of a full background.