Viv ideas HELP!!! What to use and where to find things

[Kera]

Hey all! My husband and I are very much in need of building a NEW "perfect" setup that will hold 2 viv's and I would love to make them one on top another...Anyone have any ideas as far as places to get supplies ( I have a Lowe's and Home Depot here) but I know that they may not necessarily have everything that will be needed...I have been told that I CANNOT use Pine wood, is this true even if I put some nice sealant on it too? I do plan on also making a faux rock wall set up in each viv as well...So I am kinda stuck on what to use and what will be safe for my babies too...I would LOVE to make each viv to be about 5'x2'x2' and the stand to have some storage for the meailes I breed to be kept under their viv's for a bit more space within the house...I have the meailies in a 3-drawer plastic bin right now so I would like to have them be able to be wheeled out for cleaning and gathering as well...hmmm lol I think I sound a tad picky...lmao...well if anyone has ANY ideas for a good size, places to find things, setup, flooring (I'm using tiles right now), best kind of wood, fixtures, and such I would be much appreciative!!! Thanx in advance to everyone!!!

 

[zackbeardieowner]

you can do this its pretty cool [Admin: Link removed]

 

[Kera]

I think the admin's removed the link you posted!! :?

 

[Hak]

Never consider yourself too picky when it comes to your beardies as long as you are thinking first of their best interest and how to make it easier and more convenient for you to provide the best possible care! IMHO the big box hardware stores are gonna have just about everything you are gonna need to accomplish your goals. As far as stacking your enclosures you could go totally DIY and build your own cusom stand with 2x2s/2x4s cut to suit your needs to build the frame, MDF or Plywood sealed with drylock, or you could buy one of the many ready to assemble storage shelve systems for gargages and closets. Many of them are nice because they are versital (allowing you to place shelves where you please and allow room for lights and drawers to accomodate trinkets and tools etc.).
As far as the rock walls, click the Care Sheets and Articles link at the top of the page and look at the very nice article on making your own rock features. If you have spare styrofoam around the house, great. If not, Lowes and Home Depot sell similar insulating foam panels along with the grout needed as well. i do suggest closed cell over ploystyrene because it is way less messy but slightly harder to carve and shape. As far as grout, go with a dry bag or box and the PVA that is mentioned in the rock wall article is AKA acrylic copolymer or acrylic concrete fortifier in the US.
You will find just about everything you need to accoplish your picky enclosure dreams at Lowes or Home Depot aside from UVB lighting! Search the articles and threads here for ideas, grab a notebook and take notes, then run to HD or Lowes with your notebook and pen(dedicate lotsa time to browse) and the sky is the limit!

Happy Bearding!

 

[Hak]

Oh yeah, as far as pine or cedar. DO NOT USE CEDAR and as far as I have seen just make sure pine is not part of the enclosure internals. If you do use pine for stand framing. (2x2's etc., just seal them with drylock then paint however you wish as an extra precaution. The oils or saps in such pine woods from my understanding are what you never want any reptile to come in contact with as they are very bad for their respiratory systems.

 

[Kera]

Cursious...what is you opinions on MDF vs ply wood...? Anyone have a preference on sealers?

 

[FfelixalEx]

ok hear me out. i am in a rush so i can't post pics. basically, my bear die tank is made up of 3 big flat rocks about 8 in from the baskin bulb, almost like a pyramid. he has a log to hide under that i also found, widdled, and baked. with rocks. i find it best to boil them, but you can also scrub them with bleach. logs you should bake at 250+ , but you should probably get them moist so they don't burn your house down. my beardie is on sand (yes i know it poses "possible:" threat) and yup there you have it

 

[SeanFred]

This is what I did viewtopic.php?f=75&t=172702

 

[Kera]

Thanx everyone!!!