Time for an upgrade.

[TimTortise]

I've decided to build Regina an actual vivarium. The only problem is I don't have a lot of room to work with. I heard making an L shape saves space. I was just wondering if I could get some ideas and input on how to build it. Regina is a Russian who is fully grown at about 8". Thanks in advance everybody!

 

[slowpoke]

i did the L shape it did save a bit of space easy to set up you have a hot side and a cool side , i put a top on it so the cool side stays about 70 to 75 and the hot side is 95 to 100 ( depends if my door is open to the computer room) its 5' x 2' on one side then a 3'x2' on the other

 

[TimTortise]

Hmm up never thought of that advantage of the L shape. Thanks Slowpoke! what type of materials dog you use?

 

[slowpoke]

i used ply wood and some 2x4 and 2x2 if you look at the last pic i posted is the blue print (kind of) gives a list of what i used on the botem left

 

[TimTortise]

Sorry, didn't see that last picture. only 80? That's a steal! I might have to"borrow" you're design HAHA!

 

[slowpoke]

thats fine , you can .... but i made some changes sense i made that i put the heat light on just one side and moved the uvb to the other side , my first thought was that the corner part would stay cooler than the out side parts i was wrong lol , so with the light on one side that side stays around 95 and the other side with just the uvb lighting stays around 75 , the torts look like they like it ...

 

[TimTortise]

Update. I'm going to build the new house Saturday. Just one quick question Slowpoke, How did you connect your two separate sections? or did you build them as one piece? I think for convenience purposes I'm going to try and build the two sections as separate boxes and then find a way to fasten them together. That way when it's moving time i can easily take it a part into two separate boxes.

 

[lynnedit]

I can't think of the name of them, but there are hardware pieces that snap or lock two sides together so you can disconnect to clean, etc. I am sure you could find them at a hardware store.
That's a good idea.

 

[slowpoke]

Update. I'm going to build the new house Saturday. Just one quick question Slowpoke, How did you connect your two separate sections? or did you build them as one piece? I think for convenience purposes I'm going to try and build the two sections as separate boxes and then find a way to fasten them together. That way when it's moving time i can easily take it a part into two separate boxes.

i had to make it in two peaces , like i was making two tables then i just used long screws and screwed them together , so when i did the flooring on it with the sealant i just filled in the small crack ...