building for Godzilla- help? - Page 2

simpleyork · 09-17-12, 07:59 PM

skylight windows a yes? thinking about two for the natural sunlight
also thinking a misting system for humidity
I like the fan Idea for removing extra heat if there is any
also for the shed it will be a slopped roof from north to south.

infernalis · 09-17-12, 09:12 PM

My wife and I are constantly dreaming about building a large heated "monitor barn" , I bet she would never leave it once I got it done.

I feel blessed, since it was her that got me into monitors in the first place.

simpleyork · 09-17-12, 09:28 PM

anyone know what unit will do 4000 BTU heat ? I think that was the figuring for my enclosure size

Gatorhunter1231 · 09-17-12, 09:43 PM

Been down this road twice before and just finished up my third time. My temps range from 0F-110F in Oklahoma. Insulation is key to protect you from the heat or cold. I use r-19, foamed wall edges, put up 6mil plastic barrier before insulation. In the past I have used propane with lights. Propane failed and lights weren't strong enough (first fail). Propane runs the risk of fire so make sure to take precautions. A malfunctioning regulator burned both my sheds down recently and put me down about 11Gs and pets that can't be replaced (2nd fail, of coarse this took 9yrs and two moves).

This time I got a heat and cool window unit. They are around $650 at lowes and will do heat and cool. I will still do a small propane back up but every safety will be on that thing and will be replaced every few years now. Thinking about building cages out of metal this time. One of my cages will already be stainless steel industrial freezer that I'm going to convert. My cover cages I build will sheet metal.

Anyways, get ready to drop around $2500-$3000 total. Shed probably be around $1200-$1500, the rest will be more studs, insulation, wiring, more plywood for cover up insulation, plastic wrap, nails/screws, the list just continues and nickels and dimes you to death it seems.

infernalis · 09-17-12, 09:51 PM

We are going the radiant heating direction, The actual boiler will not be in the barn, however a broken PEX tube could spray scalding water all over the place if precautions are not in place for that.

Was even discussing with Dorothy just the other day that I want to install a smoke detector with a trip switch in my existing Sav enclosure, so if one of the CFL lights goes bad, it kills the power to the cage completely.

If you have ever seen a compact florescent bulb fail, they spew black smoke and could be toxic to the lizards, also thinking that a ventilation fan (12 volt with battery backup) would be wise to draw the smoke out of the cage in the event that the system triggers.

jhinton6932 · 09-17-12, 09:58 PM

infernalis is a wealth of good ideas. what are the compact flourecsent bulbs?? the swirly ones? ive gotten away from flourecent alltogether since the powersuns came out. they are 100 watt but put out uvb up to like 2 feet i think which helps when a cage is like 6+ feet tall and you really dont lose to much humidity with them

simpleyork · 09-17-12, 10:13 PM

thanks for the replies that helps out a bunch.
I'll be gathering the stuff over the winter and putting it up next spring(another promise to the wife on the timing)may have to build a fort for my boys as well, or even get a pool for my wife (gosh they're expensive, wives are lol)

So something like this right?
Amazon.com: window air conditioner heater

as far as insulating i was thinking -3/4"plywood-3.5inch fiberglass insulation- 3/4" plywood- vinyl siding

infernalis · 09-17-12, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhinton6932

infernalis is a wealth of good ideas. what are the compact flourecsent bulbs?? the swirly ones? ive gotten away from flourecent alltogether since the powersuns came out. they are 100 watt but put out uvb up to like 2 feet i think which helps when a cage is like 6+ feet tall and you really dont lose to much humidity with them

Yes, a CFL is the swirly ones. I have witnessed twice in my household fixtures the thick black smoke spewing out.

Scared me enough I won't leave any on in the house at all when we leave home for anything.

Unrelated, but plug in air freshners do it too, my mom had a glade plug in go up in smoke once. Danger! - Common Household Item Could Burn Down Your House

Aanayab1 · 09-17-12, 11:23 PM

Yea I hate the CFs! I do not use them anywhere, period. I do not care about the 5.00 or so a year it might save when it could cost me and my loved ones including pets our lives. I can not remember where I saw the report on them but it also included that the if a retail store that sells them has even one break in their facility they are required to close until they have a hazmat cleanup crew clean up the air and surrounding area of the break?! My mother emailed me the report so I will see if she can again. If I am not mistaken it was in the MSDS book at the hospital she works at.

Aanayab1 · 09-17-12, 11:26 PM

T5HO fixtures put out way more light and less heat. Down side is they cost a bit more... then again I don't know if I can put a price tag on the safety of my family, animals or myself?

Gatorhunter1231 · 09-18-12, 06:34 AM

Yep those types. Lowes has a 1year warranty. Not sure what amazon has. Don't sell yourself short on btus for heating.

Gatorhunter1231 · 09-18-12, 06:36 AM

Also check voltage. Some are 220 and some are 115.

simpleyork · 09-18-12, 07:45 AM

I'll make sure that I supply enough heat, that was just what came up first on the Google search
what I'm thinking as far as an entrance goes will be a walk in area about 3'x8' with another door to the monitor enclosure and viewing window.

simpleyork · 09-18-12, 01:39 PM

the four red circles are where the corners will be so the final measurement is 10'x18'x7'

Aanayab1 · 09-18-12, 03:54 PM

That is going to be awesome! I can not wait until spring to see your progress.