Building (2) enclosures, both 4x2x2'

[DeesBalls]

Ok, so i cant stop doing lil projects... i am going to be building two enclosures out of melamine, i believe 3/4 ". i found a big sheet that is 4.08 foot wide, by 8.08 ft long... I am going to be cutting that into 3 pieces of 2 foot x 4 foot peices, and then the last peice of 2x4, ill cut in 1/2 and get 2 pieces of 2x2 for the sides... here is a diagram...(attachment)

im just trying to get everything in order, i want to get the sheet starting sooon, i will be making one for my Bearded Dragon 1st, then my BRB. i will have questions along the way..

my 1st is, how would i put in ways to heat? i seen people add ceramic heat emmiters in but how do they get them to work?

any way, hope i have verything straight and everything will work out, also what would you guys suggest for a door/front??

[stephanbakir]

Sliding glass looks awesome, and is convenient.

[DeesBalls]

i do like those, just not sure for 1, how to put them in, and how to keep them closed, and 2, it seems like my BRB could just push them open...

[stephanbakir]

I can show you how to make locks for them, although you can buy locks for like 6$ (my locks are pretty much free) you put in the rolling slots, and then the glass.. For the most part.

[DeesBalls]

if you have any vids, or pics, go ahead and post...

[stephanbakir]

I meant to make the locks, You bent a wire into an extended s, then slide it in between the panes and turn it, it clicks right in and can't be removed from the inside.

[DeesBalls]

Oh I see. Thanks. I will keep that in mind. BUt first I need to start lol.

[Lankyrob]

My che's are all attached to the roof of the viv with a hook and then guarded - the cable goes through the gaps in one of the vents in the back, the thermostat probe is the same - goes through a gap in the vent (or i drill a hole into the side of hte viv, depending on how the vents fit.)

[DeesBalls]

lanky, could you possibly take a pic so i can see? i sort of know what your talking about, just want to see a visual reference to see.

[Lankyrob]

Here are the best pics i could get with my phone, couldnt use flash as it blinded everything so hope you can see!!

Wide shot of guard/wire at top of viv

Wire coming through vent at top of viv

Thermostat probe through vent at bottom of viv

[DeesBalls]

Thanks lanky, that's a good pic. I still am let to how You get the thing the bulb screws in to, in... like the light socket how do You get that in?

[Lankyrob]

Take the plug off the end of the cord, push the wire form the inside of the vov through the vent then put the plug back on - bulb socket is now inside and plug is outside.

[DeesBalls]

... I'm still lost... the thing the bulb would screw in to, how.do you get that put into the enclosure,.for my beardie I will need 2 of these, one for basking and one for the uva/uva.. I may be not understanding what you are saying rob, if so, sorry.

[Lankyrob]

Ok, PUt ALL of the wiring/bulb sockets etc into the viv. Use a hook to hang the bulb socket (if it has a hook attachment) - the hook just screws into the roof of the viv. If there is no option to use a hook on the bulb socket then i use multiple cable clips nailed into the roof of the viv to hold it up. NExt screw the bulb into the socket. Next put the guard over the bulb and socket and screw that into the roof of the viv.

You should now have the plug and some wire hanging from the guard, take the plug off the wire and then feed the end through the vent on the rear of the viv, pull all the excess wire through (so that snakey cant climb on it!) so that all of the excess wire is now hanging from the outside of the viv, replace the plug.

You can now plug the bulb in but obviously you need to plug it into a thermostat and you need to feed the thermostats probe from the back of the viv through the vent into the viv under where the light is hanging.

Hope it all makes sense!!

[DeesBalls]

It does make sense, i just never understood it until now, i got it though, next week i will get the melamine and start!!