Decided To Build A Vivarium Options

[Renster]

Hello,

Just Joined the Site as I am in serious need of guidance here,

I have a dismantled Beech Style Lamine Coated Chipboard Wardrobe laying in bits as I got a new one, I saw the wood last night and thought id build a vivarium, however I dont know what im putting in it yet , due to this ive decided its gonna be watertight so if needed it can house a small pond like feature for w/e may need it. (Looking at Elegant/Tokay Geckos or Some form of Invert prob Hermit Crabs).

If anyone on here has Elegant or Tokay Geckos may you please post me a care sheet including Temps (Night/Day), Ive had Geckos Before he was a Leopard grew to roughly 10.3 Inches Head to Tail (He was the biggest Leopard ive seen yet, as far as I know the captivity avg max size is 8", think he may have been crossbred)

I designed the viv, to every exact millimeter(I know its sad but I had been up for 30 hours and was bored severely).

Its gonna work and cost on average £10 - £15 (Only the Screws, Vent, Sealant and hinges/bolt-snib locks if needed), its dimensions in all formats(Ft,Inch,Cm,Mm) are

2ft 10Inches : 34Inches : 83.3 Cm : 833 Mm Width(Left to Right)

1ft 4Inches : 16Inches : 39.2 Cm : 392 Mm Height(Bottom to Top)

1ft : 12Inches : 29.4 Cm : 294 Mm Depth(Front to Back)

Some research shows a Viv this size would cost £60 - £100 which considering I have enough wood here to build an enclosure on top of this to Securely store Dry-Foods, Supplements and Treats/Utilities and Light/Mister Housing if Present, Plus a Raised Base for it if needed for support, Which in my eyes is Excellent for a 7 year old £20 wardrobe lol!

I noticed my old TV cabinet was wasting away in our so called "Dixons Warehouse" Room as I am a Student PC tech. (Due to dismantling the TV unit ive now got Enough wood to build an Incubator or Isolation Viv)

The unit has an 11 inch High by 34 inch Wide pane of minorly one - way tinted glass on front of it, Which due to my measurements (which were wierdly enough done Before measuring the pane) will fit as a front perfectly if i use two 2.5 inch supports on the top and bottom as to which i will use the already present hinges and magnetic snap locks to use this as a door.

Now i just need to buy Thermos, Lights, Heat Mat, Hygra, Sands/Wood Shavings, Some Artificial Plants, Ill make some Hides/Artificial Rocks, Dechlorinators etc

Here comes the part im literally lost on,

What kinds of sealants are Non-Toxic once set, Remember its Chipboard im Sealing no Glass. Thi is Just incase Whatever the Viv will house was to accidently gets a nibble on it, im not gonna wake up to a dead pet.

I know a Gecko probably would resist it(My Gecko ate a part of my cousins Plasticine when he was out of his tank and wasnt effected) but if i was to get Hermit crabs, Toads/Frogs.

Knowing that Hermits are extremely allergic to tons of stuff that cause swelling and discomfort even death, what would be the best water resistant Non toxic Sealant?

Price would be helpful too

When i get it Built (If i ever get round to it due to my room needing Decorated first GAHHHH!) I will post pics of it here and if its as good as i have in mind i may start producing one or two monthly, either built for others with their materials or built by my own materials to sell on.

Anyway all help is much appreciated,

Thanks in Advance.

*If needed I have decent amounts of experience with Leopard Gecko's so feel free to ask about them*

[Renster]

Yeah to build this considering i already had the wood, i only paid roughly £15 which is amazing considering my local pet shop has one almost the exact same (a few inches smaller) for £85, even with the cost of the wood i would be looking at £25 - £35, got a new project up and running, bought an old Shelving Unit, has five 1.5ft high x 3 ft wide x 1.5 - 2ft deep shelves on it already added a Support to the bottom and top of each shelf got runners laying around which ill add on, only need about £30 of perspex and ive got a £70 viv stack lol

I hadnt seen my stheno for a few days hes had a shed, his colours are amazing he went from biege with brown spots, to brown with beige and white spots, He looks amazing!


And i would get glass but knowing me id smash it constantly

This post has been edited by Renster: Jul 29 2009, 03:37 AM