Frank's Enclosure: Take 2

[beardielover17]

It cost me under $100 for all the wood and screws. The plexi-glass is $30-$60 (not part of the $100 I mentioned earlier)

 

[corrine]

Dusty(hubby) is planning on making Lacey's enclosure this weekend. So I have a few questions.What kind of light fixtures/ bulbs are you useing? How did you hang the fixtures? How many vents will I need and what size should they be? Thats all I can think of for now but I'm sure there will be more.

 

[beardielover17]

Right now I am using 2 of the 5.5" Zilla clamp lamps but one of them I took the dome off. I will probably take the other dome off too to spread more light in the enclosure. One houses a 75 watt halogen flood light and the other one houses an 100 watt MVB (although I'm getting 160 watt next). I fed the wires through a gap in the roof of the enclosure and then used a staple gun to hold the wires in place and mount the light.

Do don't need that many vents. I know most people only put 2 small round ones towards the top of the enclosure. You don't wan't too much ventilation because all of your humidity will escape. You can do 1 6x4 vent towards the top too if you wanted. With Frank's enclosure he's got little gaps in the roof that serve as his ventilation.

 

[zebraflavencs]

* I wanna move into Franks new digs... cooooooomfy !*

 

[beardielover17]

Lol I often wish the same! Especially when it's cold in the house. Frank's home is always nice and toasty

 

[zebraflavencs]

I'll just bet !
Say.. do frills brumate ?

 

[beardielover17]

Yes to an extent. But just like beardies, it varies from individual to individual. Some don't go down, some get lazy and some aren't even phased by it. Frank slows down and will sleep for several days to a week or so.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Ah... I had wondered...

 

[corrine]

Got a question for you Candice. I think I remember you useing great stuff to make a background for Frank. Am I remembering correctly? If so would this work on plywood? And what kind of paint/sealer should I put over it? I was thinking of doing this when I build Lacey's enclosure but was curious as to how well it will stand up against the humidity.

 

[beardielover17]

In Frank's first enclosure I used the Great Stuff and grout for the background. It held up well to all the misting and such but it was a smooth surface that Frank couldn't climb well. I used acrylic paint (non-toxic) and mod podge and aquarium silicone to seal/waterproof it. What you could do is make lines kind of like the grooves in tree bark and once it's dried you can take a razor and cut the tops off to give a rougher texture and then grout and paint and seal it. I want to get the bark tiles that Zoo Med makes for my walls eventually.