Custom built enclosure

[deftones2015]

I have 3 questions.
First is size. I saw a post by James Wilson, on kingsnake forum I think that he keeps his BTS's in a 3ft long x 18'' wide by 15'' high. Is that sufficient or should I go with 4 ft x 24''?

Second question, what type of light socket should I use? Should I use the reflector heat domes? A ceramic type of light fixture or what? Also, can I mount it to the melamine panel? Or would I have to attach a metal piece or something to bring it off of the melamine?

Third question, I don't have the money for glass right now but I need the cages for the extra space. Can I use screen on a frame of wood for the door or should I use plexi glass until I can afford the glass?

[Blotch]

Bri - Anything James Wilson tells or suggests, does, is cool in regards to Blueys. He probably knows more about blueys than almost everyone here combined - a Couple of exceptions though (2 maybe 3).

He has written so papers on all forms of blueys, kept all forms (i'm pretty sure) and basically live and breathes blueys. He is basically a bluey himself!

In regards to the light fixture - a normal houshold light fixture should do the trick. You may have to rout it out a bit depending on the height of the tank though. you can add a piece of metal to be safe - but it should be ok.

Fly screen stuff is not a good idea cuz your bluey could lose a nail whilst scratching at it, also, you bluey could scratch a hole in it and escape. If anything, I'd go the plexi til you can afford the glass.

Hope that helps man.

[Zach]

I have 3 questions.
First is size. I saw a post by James Wilson, on kingsnake forum I think that he keeps his BTS's in a 3ft long x 18'' wide by 15'' high. Is that sufficient or should I go with 4 ft x 24''?

Second question, what type of light socket should I use? Should I use the reflector heat domes? A ceramic type of light fixture or what? Also, can I mount it to the melamine panel? Or would I have to attach a metal piece or something to bring it off of the melamine?

Third question, I don't have the money for glass right now but I need the cages for the extra space. Can I use screen on a frame of wood for the door or should I use plexi glass until I can afford the glass?

Wow, how old was that post? Sadly, James has been completely out of reptiles for quite some time.... (even blueys)

3 feet, 18 inch depth is about the minimum. In fact, I think that's exactly what's on the carepage for minimum. Bigger the better! If you can afford and manage it, definitely go with the bigger one.

I used the ceramic standard light sockets in my custom cages. I'm not sure how heat resistent melamine is, but the higher the cage ceiling, the stronger the bulb, thusly the hotter it will be.

You'd be surprised--sometimes plexi-glass can cost more then regular glass! Glass doesn't cost much. I called every glass shop in town and the price differences were surprising. The lowest I found for my size (6 feet long, little over 12 inches high) was only $15 each. The highest I found was like $37. When we're talking standard custom cut glass, it's really not much money in it until we're talking custom grooves and tempered and whatnot. Call around! You'll be much happier with glass in the long run. Sometimes, tempered only costs a few bucks more, so if you can, get it.

[wastedindustry]

Zach, that's a seriously well-made and good looking viv there... Wish I could have something that nice!

[Zach]

Zach, that's a seriously well-made and good looking viv there... Wish I could have something that nice!

Thanks, it's a dream compared to the old tanks! I still need to put up details and inst. online; I still haven't done it.

Brian, you can call me anytime if you want some serious conversation about building something...

[deftones2015]

Thank you, I will probably take you up on that. I need to save up some money and all first. I found a few sites but their cages are for bearded dragons and they really aren't what I want for my BTS's. I LOVE your design though.

[AneesasMuse]

Zach, is this enclosure 6' x 2' x 1' then? I'm just guessing by your 6' glass comment. I'm the DIY kid at our house and would be interested in making something similar for my future Bluey and my present Uro and Beardie.

Is the majority of it plywood... like birch or some other hardwood.. and how are the doors secured? I'm assuming just magnetic catches would not keep a determined Bluey inside for long.

By the way... this is for anyone.. is there such a thing as too large of an enclosure for a baby Bluey? Should I start out small or will s/he be okay in the largest available space?

Thanks!
~Aminah

[Fatal_S]

By the way... this is for anyone.. is there such a thing as too large of an enclosure for a baby Bluey? Should I start out small or will s/he be okay in the largest available space?

I'm pretty sure you're baby will feel better in a space that isn't amazingly huge. In previous topics it's been suggested that babies should have smaller tanks. They're so small that the world seems huge, and they feel very exposed. They'd rather just hide and eat and get to the point where they'll feel big enough that they're safe to explore. One they're out more and looking all over or trying to get out, that's the better time to upgrade to a large tank. I know I'm starting my babes with 2'x2' enclosures, then they'll get full 4'x2' ones when they get older. Anyone else want to add to this?

[Zach]

Zach, is this enclosure 6' x 2' x 1' then? I'm just guessing by your 6' glass comment. I'm the DIY kid at our house and would be interested in making something similar for my future Bluey and my present Uro and Beardie.

Is the majority of it plywood... like birch or some other hardwood.. and how are the doors secured? I'm assuming just magnetic catches would not keep a determined Bluey inside for long.

By the way... this is for anyone.. is there such a thing as too large of an enclosure for a baby Bluey? Should I start out small or will s/he be okay in the largest available space?

Thanks!
~Aminah

Yep, 2' deep. I have five units that are all stacked. The backs and tops are all pegboard for ventilation, and the bottom and sides are a sort of cheap hardboard material. The doors are cherrywood I think....

And yeah, actually, the doors close with three magnets. One in the middle and one on each end, so 3 total per door. I wasn't sure if it would work, but the doors close VERY strongly. It's actually sort of a con because the doors can be rather difficult to open....

[AneesasMuse]

Hmmm... that's pretty funny that there ARE magnets holding the doors secure. Maybe the the super duper magnets I use for my "flower power" fridge art come in larger sizes and can be used.

Thanks!

[Zach]

I actually put a lot of thought into what I was going to secure the door with. I thought of ropes/string, latches (like a screendoor latch), wheel style secures like Reptle Rascals uses, and then the magnets. They were so darn strong and worked so well on the first unit (more or less a practice unit!) that we used them for the remaining 4. They're cheap too.

[AneesasMuse]

Yeah, since I acquired the rescue Beardie and then my Uro... both long living herps... I've been contemplating "nice" vivs for them.... and now that I'm getting a baby bluey, I'm even more inclined to build a nice 3 or 4 unit piece like these. (I need a "tort table" for Joober, too )

Thanks for the info!