Unexpected Purchase - Arboreal Viv

Scubadiver59 · 09-24-17, 09:19 AM

Picked up this viv when offered for $350. It needs to be cleaned up, it has its quirks, and it needs a new front panel, but overall I think it was a decent buy.
Door Closed...

Door Opened...

Damage (holed the end of the cracks to stop them moving on)

Bottom Bay (fan to circulate air, power cords for heat tapes, etc)

Left side heat tape, substrate to vacuum up...

Right side heat tape...

Side view (power cords for LED lights, and the two 38w heat lamps)...

Back bottom (cord for heat tapes, fan power supply)...

Scubadiver59 · 09-24-17, 09:24 AM

Not too sure how the fan works other than to circulate air between the back panels; there are actually two panels to the back, one for the inner enclosure and the actual back panel and the heat tapes are suspended between. How? I don't really know yet and I'm not sure if I want to remove the panels and end up messing up the screw holes in the foam (I could go to longer screws if necessary).

One thing bothers me...there is no thermostat probe hole to be found and it makes me wonder how the heat is regulated? I'm going to have to talk to the builder and see how this was supposed to work, how it actually worked, and whether or not I need to change things around--like actually tape the heat tape, with aluminum duct tape, to the back of the inside back panel to make heat transfer that much better.

This is a work in progress so I'll keep this updated as I get more information from the builder, I hear from y'all, and I just wing it and improvise as needed.

Cheers!

trailblazer295 · 09-24-17, 10:18 AM

Dimensions? I don't see the purpose behind heat tape in such a tall enclosure. Any animal that uses that kind of height isn't going to be laying on it hardly if at all. It looks like PVC if that's the case heat tape will only heat the area in contact with it and do nothing for the air or surrounding area. The reptile would have to be pressed onto the side to feel the warmth.

**Minkness** · 09-24-17, 10:40 AM

That is actually a pretty nice viv! I'd love it for my carpet python! Nice pick up!

Albert Clark · 09-24-17, 03:01 PM

Nice addition! i'm sure the quirks can be worked out. Looks really cool to me.

Scubadiver59 · 09-24-17, 06:12 PM

As stated below, there are "two" back walls and the heat tape is suspended between them. I would've thought they would've been taped to the back of the outside of the inner wall, but I think that the fan is supposed to circulate air around the heat tapes and thereby provide ambient air temperature increase over the entire enclosure. Even if it was taped to the back of the inside "inner panel" it would warm the air around back panel, not so good as an RHP, but it would provide some heat.

I've seen RHPs mounted to the inside of arboreal vivs, for ambient heating, other than the basking lamps, so the heat tapes make sense; however, the absence of theremostat probe access does confuse me somewhat.

Outside Dimensions: 32"x21"x69" (width x depth x height)
Inside Dimensions: 31.5"x17.5"x54.5" (width x depth x height)

You can see by the depth difference the existence of the gap between the two back walls, which I think are 1/4" PVC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

Dimensions? I don't see the purpose behind heat tape in such a tall enclosure. Any animal that uses that kind of height isn't going to be laying on it hardly if at all. It looks like PVC if that's the case heat tape will only heat the area in contact with it and do nothing for the air or surrounding area. The reptile would have to be pressed onto the side to feel the warmth.

trailblazer295 · 09-24-17, 06:15 PM

Odd setup, you could plug it in for a day and see what happens. It's a nice cage though. Any herp would be happy in there.

Scubadiver59 · 09-24-17, 06:27 PM

There may be some method to their madness...it's just that I haven't divined what it is yet.

They may actually surprise me yet with their answer...maybe!

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

Odd setup, you could plug it in for a day and see what happens. It's a nice cage though. Any herp would be happy in there.

BillyCostume · 09-25-17, 07:23 AM

Cool enclosure, what are you planning on putting in it?

Scubadiver59 · 09-25-17, 11:54 AM

I'm thinking of giving my Southern White Lip an Xmas present since I'm sure it would enjoy it and it could definitely grow into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyCostume

Cool enclosure, what are you planning on putting in it?

BillyCostume · 09-25-17, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

I'm thinking of giving my Southern White Lip an Xmas present since I'm sure it would enjoy it and it could definitely grow into it.

Nice! I can't wait to get my white lip into a nice arboreal enclosure

Captain837 · 09-25-17, 12:02 PM

The heat tape was likely used to heat up a dish of water then the fan was to circulate the humid air around the enclosure.

Scubadiver59 · 09-25-17, 01:53 PM

Don't think so...the two "separate" tapes are hanging vertically, top to bottom, between the two back panels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain837

The heat tape was likely used to heat up a dish of water then the fan was to circulate the humid air around the enclosure.

jjhill001 · 09-29-17, 04:09 PM

The panel with the heat tape combined with the computer fan for ambient heat is brilliant in my opinion. Also to those worried about no thermostat probe should consider they might have just put the whole unit in with the heat tape, thats what I would do.

Personally with the amount of repairs it needs I would have tried to go lower on price but it is very unique so maybe thats just the inner bargain garage sale shopper in me.

Cool cage.

Scubadiver59 · 10-03-17, 01:09 PM

I'll probably bring the heat tape cords out the back, when I take off the back panel to replace the older power strip, and plug them into the thermostat that I plan on putting on the top of the case (Herpstat).

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

The panel with the heat tape combined with the computer fan for ambient heat is brilliant in my opinion. Also to those worried about no thermostat probe should consider they might have just put the whole unit in with the heat tape, thats what I would do.

Personally with the amount of repairs it needs I would have tried to go lower on price but it is very unique so maybe thats just the inner bargain garage sale shopper in me.

Cool cage.