Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

salvator · Contributing Member Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Posts: 81

I've drawn up the plans for a 10ft viv for a water monitor and was wondering if anyone else that had built a similar viv has any advice or pointers.
I'll be using a t5 unit to light it but not sure what to use for heat. A number of 250w ceramics for basking spots but will probably need something to increase the ambient air temp.
Works starting on it tomorrow and any help will be appreciated.

arch · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

Hi what will you be making it out of, and what are the dimensions?
ive made a large viv for me roughneck and now want to expand!!!!
not to sure what i need to do about temps but ive had probs heating the lower half without over heating the top.

Rad · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Very Large Viv/Enclosure Help

arthur cooke · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

Try using an udersoil cable heater, and a mercury vapour lamp, 150w flood. Depends on it's height though, they work well up to about 5 ft, if you have them inside then you'll need ventalation.
cheers arthur

johne.ev · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject:

What height is the viv? i had a 8x4x4 which housed an Argus monitor. i used a bank (three in a line over basking spot) consisting of a 160 watt powersun & two 50 watt halogens & a 250 watt ceramic on a stat. temps were great in the summer but had to up wattage in winter. my reptile room is my garage which is insulated & heated in winter, to approx 70f.

mark_w · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I built a 10' x 4' x 4' viv for black and white tegus. I used 12mm ply. For me it was easier to screw the ply together to build the thing, and then 'retro-fit' a timber frame (2" x 2"). I then sealed with three coats of a tough finish varnish, and after that, siliconed all the joints. I used 4mm toughened glass for the front sliding doors. This is the first viv of this type that I have built. A couple of tips:

Toughened glass is expensive, but I very strongly recommend that you use it. I KNOW that my tegu would have smashed normal glass.

Varnish is not good enough for waterproofing. See my previous thread on this. I would suggest looking into pool paints, epoxy resin etc, or even tiling the bottom.

Cheers,
Mark.