Help with DIY viv.

snakekid6996 · 11-13-12, 10:29 PM

Hey everyone,
I decided in the future when I have some money I'm going to build my boa a new cage. Right now he's about 3-3.5' long and he's in a 38"X18"X21" enclosure. I would like to build a 4'X3'X3' or a 6'X3'X3' which one sounds more reasonable?? Also, could some one please tell me what I'll need, about how much it cost, and step by step instructions on how to go about buildin it. Sorry, I'm not very good at this kind of stuff. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

Philmul · 11-14-12, 04:59 PM

I've just made my vivs it's two 3ft vivs and a 6 ft viv at the bottom. It all depends what you make it out of? My enclosures are in the garage so didn't need them to look smart my last one for the house was made from melamine but is expensive unless you use old wardrobes. My vivs I have just finished to house my boa and royals were built from osb I will up load pics of both types

image.jpg

Philmul · 11-14-12, 05:17 PM

image.jpg this was the finished product

snakekid6996 · 11-14-12, 05:42 PM

I like that, but mine will be going in my room and I want a nice looking enclosure. I have a corn snake and a boa so I was thinking to 6' long 3' deep and 3' tall (each) on top of eachother. I know a 6'X3'X3' is a little overkill for a corn and a small boa (corn 4-5 feet and boa 3-4) but I like big tanks I can put a lot of natural looking decoration in and still have a ton of crawl space for them. I would like it to be black so either black melenine or wood that I would make waterproof and paint. Which is cheaper??

EmbraceCalamity · 11-14-12, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakekid6996

I like that, but mine will be going in my room and I want a nice looking enclosure. I have a corn snake and a boa so I was thinking to 6' long 3' deep and 3' tall (each) on top of eachother. I know a 6'X3'X3' is a little overkill for a corn and a small boa (corn 4-5 feet and boa 3-4) but I like big tanks I can put a lot of natural looking decoration in and still have a ton of crawl space for them. I would like it to be black so either black melenine or wood that I would make waterproof and paint. Which is cheaper??

I don't know anything about DIY vivs for snakes, but have you considered maybe starting with a large piece of furniture like a bookcase or dresser and converting that? That way you can have some nice, fancy wood. But I'm no expert or anything. Just an idea.

~Maggot

snakekid6996 · 11-14-12, 06:34 PM

Yeah that sounds like a good idea

Gungirl · 11-14-12, 06:44 PM

I build my vivs out of basic Oak plywood.. 4'x2'x18" with simple fold down doors. Piano hinges keep them sturdy and allow them to fully open. I use plexi glass for "windows" and soffit vents to allow air flow. Keep it simple it is just a box with a door. Just take your time, Draw it out and measure many times before making a cut.

snakekid6996 · 11-14-12, 06:53 PM

That looks awesome!

Philmul · 11-14-12, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakekid6996

I like that, but mine will be going in my room and I want a nice looking enclosure. I have a corn snake and a boa so I was thinking to 6' long 3' deep and 3' tall (each) on top of eachother. I know a 6'X3'X3' is a little overkill for a corn and a small boa (corn 4-5 feet and boa 3-4) but I like big tanks I can put a lot of natural looking decoration in and still have a ton of crawl space for them. I would like it to be black so either black melenine or wood that I would make waterproof and paint. Which is cheaper??

You could use osb on bottom and backs to keep cost down and mellow mine on front and sides. It will take a lot of heating I would of thought 2ft high is more than enough for the corn snake. The higher it is I've found is harder to get the right ambient and basking temps. This is my other one that I made but only 4ft and that cost me £56 to make

image.jpg