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View Full Version : Before I begin...q&a on custom dyi viv


buffcoat
05-23-12, 09:16 AM
Ok. I really wasn't planning on building this yet but my girlfriend fell in love with a dwarf retic. So now, we need a viv.

What I was planning on doing was an 8x6x2 unit.

Bottom will be for Levi her retic. Second shelf will be two 4x2x2 units for my jungle and red tail. Top row will be approx 3 2x2x2 vivs for my ball pythons and my hognose. I was going to use 3/4" plywood, sealed with drylok and reptile safe silicone. I was thinking about using styrofoam and grouting/sealing that as well. Sliding doors for Levi and fold down doors for the rest of the bunch. Heating it with individual CHE's and using led's for lighting. All on dimmers/timers/thermostats.

Does this sound viable before I go shelling out a few hundred buck for this project? See any flaws or any way to improve it?

Thanks in advance.

Gungirl
05-23-12, 09:20 AM
I would build them all as separate vivs instead of one unit. This way if someone gets sick or you need to quarantine them you could move them. Also if you need to move it will be doable.

Falco21
05-23-12, 08:32 PM
In for building process. Post lots of pics and the materials used, etc. I am getting ready to build a new viv as well.

buffcoat
05-24-12, 02:44 PM
The more I thought about it, you are 100% right Kat. By my calculations it should only be one more piece of plywood to separate them. Plus if I do it that way I can stack and rearrange anyway that I please. Only bad thing is, the wall that I'm going to use is only 7.5' long so my vivs are gonna be about 6" shorter than what I planned. No biggie though, at least I don't think.

Gungirl
05-24-12, 02:55 PM
6" shorter shouldn't be an issue. If you want to look at the vivs I built here you go Vivs pictures by KAMacie - Photobucket (http://s1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/Vivs/) I kept them clean and simple but strong. Let me know if you have any questions....Good luck on your build and post pics!