Sliding glass doors for Varanids?

[crocdoc]

The fibreglass one was for a semi-aquatic animal, so it was an entirely different scenario. I didn't go for realistic rocks and wouldn't have known how at the time, but that's not a restriction of the fibreglass vs polyurethane elastomer.

If I recall correctly, I built a wooden shelf (which would end up being the basking area) and then used wire mesh for armature to shape the area that would slope away into a pool. I coated the lot in polyester (pigmented) soaked fibreglass matting and then did a pigmented layer with sand and rock mixed in for the 'rocky' surface.

[Pirarucu]

Ah, thank you. What was the species?

[crocdoc]

I deliberately didn't mention the species as it harks back to when I was a teen and did something I am now very much against: i.e. Buy a species of reptiles that I couldn't possibly house properly once it reached adult size. I ended up having to sell my collection when I moved to Australia, anyway.

[Pirarucu]

Ah, gotcha.

[justme]

substrate getting in the tracks is constant hassle

cleaning all corners of the glass as well

it can rattle if the lizard bumps it

othen than that i love them. i use a double hinged 68" window with the inertia springs removed. heavy duty and insulates like mad.

[crocdoc]

Originally Posted by justme

substrate getting in the tracks is constant hassle

cleaning all corners of the glass as well

it can rattle if the lizard bumps it.

If you use the sort of glass tracking system mentioned at the beginning of this thread, none of this is an issue.

Substrate can't get in the tracks as the glass rides on the tracks.
The same amount of glass would need to be cleaned if they were hinged doors, so I'm not sure why that would be an issue?
They definitely don't rattle.

[justme]

like you said on page 1, what you use is not what we use and have available here.

sealed roller sliders are not readily available or used by cage builders, custom or otherwise.

glass goes in track channel, track channel is wider than glass. glass does rattle if moved rapidly enough

[crocdoc]

Originally Posted by justme

what you use is not what we use and have available here.

You, personally, may not use them, but that doesn't mean they aren't available.

Originally Posted by justme

sealed roller sliders are not readily available or used by cage builders, custom or otherwise

I thought we were talking about building our own enclosures in this thread, rather than ordering them from elsewhere? If you build your own enclosures, there are no limits on what is readily available for order from cage builders.

Those glass frames are used in commercial establishments, such as shops, everywhere. Any place that displays things in glass cabinets usually uses them, which means someone, somewhere is making and selling them. All you have to do is look for them, purchase them and use them and your problems are solved. No dirt in tracks, no rattling etc etc.

[BeardedDee]

This is available in the UK and think it's similar to what crocdoc has, correct me if i'm wrong though.
It's not wide enough for my needs but thought surely you can find similar in the US?
Hatch Glass Sliding Door Kit - IronmongeryDirect.co.uk

[crocdoc]

If you're after something that is wide enough for your needs, you should be able to find a place that will cut the aluminium frames to custom specifications. That's what I ended up doing.

[justme]

Originally Posted by crocdoc

You, personally, may not use them, but that doesn't mean they aren't available.



I thought we were talking about building our own enclosures in this thread, rather than ordering them from elsewhere? If you build your own enclosures, there are no limits on what is readily available for order from cage builders.

Those glass frames are used in commercial establishments, such as shops, everywhere. Any place that displays things in glass cabinets usually uses them, which means someone, somewhere is making and selling them. All you have to do is look for them, purchase them and use them and your problems are solved. No dirt in tracks, no rattling etc etc.

Again, those are not readily available. You are looking at custom order from an industrial supplier.

Too much hassle for what you get. I just use a big thermal jeld wen window, disconnect the wind springs, place on its side and you have an instant 6' door (or larger, depending on what you find locally). The ones i like have the spring loaded and covered channels so no muck gets in there.

No glass cutting, loose joints, heat transfer etc. And for under 200$ for the 6' size

those displays you are thinking of are one tail whip from being shattered. been there. i no longer trust a single layer of glass held by metal, regardless of how you mount it

[crocdoc]

Originally Posted by justme

Again, those are not readily available. You are looking at custom order from an industrial supplier.

How is custom order from an industrial supplier not readily available? You measure, you order, you pick it up.

Originally Posted by justme

those displays you are thinking of are one tail whip from being shattered.

I beg to differ. I've got laminated glass on mine and I've had adult male lace monitors throw themselves at it. A tail whip ain't gonna shatter nuttin'.

Pre-made windows of the sort you are describing are a great way to go, provided you can find one the size and shape you are after. I would agree with you there. However, I disagree that the glass tracking system I used for mine is a hassle to order, collects substrate or gets shattered easily, because I've put one together and have been maintaining it with large monitors for around ten years without an issue.

[AjaMichelle]

Hi!

I have a 6 foot long, 2 foot tall glass door on my savannah monitor enclosure. It's two panes, and the sliding style. The glass rides on the tracks and I haven't had an issue with rattling or with dirt in the tracks.

It's fantastic. And now that my monitor is over her fear of the door, she enjoys it too.

[Lankyrob]

WOW that tongue is AMAZING!!!!!

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

WOW that tongue is AMAZING!!!!!

More so when you really think about that it is used to smell is surround stereo.