A Sterant-Designed Build

[PA2019]

I have been working on building my first PVC enclosure using the @Sterant sticky and am almost done. I am using the Veranda-brand 1/2" PVC sheets from Home Depot.



After gluing the back to the bottom I was worried it wasn't strong enough to stack another enclosure on top, so I decided to use PVC screws spaced 6" apart in addition to the clamping/PVC cement that is mentioned in the original sticky thread.



I had several 2x4's from a previous project in the garage so I decided to build a basic table. I added pivoting wheels to make it easier to move the tank around the room/house if necessary, and gave enough clearance for my Neato vacuum to get underneath.


My final step is to attach the top and finish the aluminum tracking. I plan on supporting the top as I hope to stack an identical tank on top.

Is a vertical support in the middle needed as well if I stack another enclosure on top?

If I place width supports roughly 12" from opposite ends of the tank I can either fit a 36" UVB fixture diagonally or a 24" UVB fixture perpendicular to the supports.



Does beneficial UVB spread out over a large area of a tank or is it mostly contained directly underneath the UVB fixture? The answer to that question will help me decide the best orientation of the fixture.

 

[Tom]

Nice enclosure! UV will be strongest directly under the bulb. How much UV you get to the sides will largely depend on the reflector on your hood and proximity.

 

[PA2019]

Finished the 4'x3'x2'. Added a 20 watt 6500K LED across the top, used heat shielding metal tape under the flood/CHE and cleaned up the cords with some nifty cable ties. I added a beefy 1" thick vertical support for the front, I still might add a 1/2" piece in front of it to hide it, but either way it should help prevent bowing if I stack another on top.

 

[Yvonne G]

I love it! But I can't see how you open the doors to administer to the inside.

 

[Blackdog1714]

I love it! But I can't see how you open the doors to administer to the inside.

He has two sliding glass panels. He just has them so sparkly clean that upon first inspection they are easily missed. Awesome BUILD

 

[PA2019]

He has two sliding glass panels. He just has them so sparkly clean that upon first inspection they are easily missed. Awesome BUILD

Thanks @Blackdog1714

I can see how building indoor setups can become just as addicting as designing outdoor enclosures. If I make another I’ll invest in a table saw. Using a circular saw with a straight edge is painstaking work.

 

[Blackdog1714]

Thanks @Blackdog1714

I can see how building indoor setups can become just as addicting as designing outdoor enclosures. If I make another I’ll invest in a table saw. Using a circular saw with a straight edge is painstaking work.

The key is the over all work area. With a real cut guide circular saws are awesome since you move them and not the panel. Trust me a large panel will walk on a tabletop saw too! If you get real about it the table has to be huge to safely support everything. As it is you got a heck of a DIY