Want to build a custom Viv

[MartianMonkey]

I am wanting to build a custom viv for my beardie and was wanting to know about how hard is it to do. I plan on using melanin (think that's how it's spelled). I have a little skill but not an expert. I was wondering about what kind of price would I be looking at. I can get a zilla 40 gallon critter cage for $100. Would I be cheaper getting the zilla tank?

I remember seeing instructions somewhere and can't seem to find them now. Could someone point me to where I can find them?

thanks.

 

[Jess]

Here's the instructions for a Crossfire viv:
http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/

It says that all the supplies and stuff cost $130, so the cost isn't too much different than a 40B.
I cheated and bought mine on Craigslist though, so I can't really help you with the building part!

 

[triumphtt]

Here's the instructions for a Crossfire viv:
http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/

It says that all the supplies and stuff cost $130, so the cost isn't too much different than a 40B.
I cheated and bought mine on Craigslist though, so I can't really help you with the building part!

Use you local resources. Look around for shops where people donate furniture and stuff you can get cheaper. What make your cost go up is really if you use tile and you can find that on clearance if your not to picky. I got a dresser for $35 which was the cost of a sheet of melamine when I was looking. You shouldn't even really come close to what a manufactured one costs to buy. I've even seen a youtube video of some lady doing one simply to prove even if you have no clue and never even used tools how easy it is, so yes you shouldn't have any issues just make sure you plan and measure LOL.

 

[MrWhite]

I built a 4x2x2 melamine viv exactly like the ones on www.customcages.com (I didn't want to pay $400 for one)

here's the breakdown:
1 sheet of 3/4" melamine - $35
2 rolls of melamine edge tape - $20
3 vents - $6
1 plastic electrical port - $3
35 fasteners - $15 (holds the whole box together)
plastic sliding door runners - $16
2 24x15 1/4" plate glass with finished edges - $45
24" single bulb flourescent and other miscellaneous electrical parts - $40
8 12" tile - $10 (substrate)

soo the total is around $180 but these prices are not exact.

now ... I have a large table saw and lots of tools which made it easy for me.

Things I bought that I didn't have to make the job easier:
1 fastener jig - $40 (this allow you to drill in the right spot so the fasteners will line up)
1 10" melamine saw blade - $55 (for the table saw)
1 7" melamine saw blade - $25 (for my circular saw)

as you can see, it's still cheaper for me to build one then it would have been to order one from customcages.
Melamine is really nice and durable but it's heavy as hell and a pain in the butt to work with. No matter how hard you try, you still get small chipping when cutting it with a saw on one side.

I still have alteast one more, maybe two cages still to build.

if you're still interested in building these, I can give you a more detailed description and where I got all the parts

 

[MartianMonkey]

Thank you everyone for the help, I went to my local lowes and they told me all they had was the smaller melamine not the 4x8 sheets. I'm going to check another hardware store to see it they have it. I looked at a sheet of birch and it was almost $50 for a single sheet. I was also wondering if melamine comes in other colors beside white, like maybe an oak finish?

 

[MartianMonkey]

MrWhite, what are the fasteners you used and where did you get all of the materials?

Also does anyone know if oak is safe or just birch? In case I can't get the melamine and if I stain it will I have to coat it with a sealant?

 

[Trogdorpheus]

Oak is fine too. The woods to stay away from are Cedar, and to a lesser extent Pine. Pine may be ok when sealed thoroughly, but I'd avoid it just for peace of mind.

 

[MrWhite]

MrWhite, what are the fasteners you used and where did you get all of the materials?

Also does anyone know if oak is safe or just birch? In case I can't get the melamine and if I stain it will I have to coat it with a sealant?

for the fasteners, I user a 12mm dowel nut with a 1/4-20 50mm bronze machine screw with a larger flat head.
this is where I got them http://www.mcmaster.com/#90835a200/=dh1b24

most of the materials I got from the local lumber yards/hardware store/home depot

the plastic glass slide I got from www.rockler.com, glass I got from a local plate glass company.

the jig I used for the fasterners is here http://www.woodpeck.com/crossdoweljig.html I can't imaging trying to line up the holes without this jig, it worked perfectly for me and saved a ton of time and errors

 

[MartianMonkey]

thanks again for the info but I still need to know if I use something like oak and I stain it do I have to put a couple of coats of sealant on top of it or if I let it air out will the stain be ok for my little girl?

 

[MrWhite]

thanks again for the info but I still need to know if I use something like oak and I stain it do I have to put a couple of coats of sealant on top of it or if I let it air out will the stain be ok for my little girl?

I would definately seal the stained surfaces. all types of wood are porous which will absorb beardie poo-poo and pee-pee, the stain will give the wood a nice color but will not prevent the wood from absorbsion. I would also use a low gloss sealant.

 

[MartianMonkey]

so you're saying if I use oak to seal the inside whether I stain it or not.

 

[MrWhite]

so you're saying if I use oak to seal the inside whether I stain it or not.

yes, wood(even hard wood like oak) will absorb moisture. My feelings are that if you don't seal the inside, you are basically creating a giant humidor(great for cigars, not so great for beardies). at the very least, seal the floor surface that will come in contact with your beardies "business". A well hydrated beardie will leave a pretty good size puddle along with his solid waste part. If you are going to stain the wood, I would seal it no matter what. I don't think stain (especially oil based) would be vary good for you beardie. If I were to stain the inside, I would cover it with a couple of coats of water based satin polyurethane and let it dry completely.

these are just my opinions on what "I" would do if I were to use oak. I'm definately not an expert :wink: I'm hoping someone else can chime in that has actually used wood/stain/poly for their Viv

 

[hicksorganics]

Hey I was just curious what is wrong with using cedar?

 

[MartianMonkey]

Hey I was just curious what is wrong with using cedar?

I think the natural oil in cedar is toxic to beardies.


I have ordered a few parts and I stopped by a local flooring store and they gave me a huge stack of tiles that was out dated samples - major score there