WaspGirl
Not so new Member
I have just finished my first enclosure. Progress photos.
I brought a $10 glass cabinet from Vinnies, complete with sliding glass doors (sliding glass doors were a bonus, as I didn’t have to pay anyone to get glass doors made).
I striped out the shelves, cut the holes for vents & electrics (once I had done much reading on here about heating & airflow….& drawn a few maps/plans of my enclosure).
Next stage was making the rock wall. I chose to us cans of form of fill. Sprayed on to the areas that I wanted it on. Let it go half off, before squashing it down to the desired effect and pattern that I wanted.
I then painted the inside with water based sand paints (I used dark & light greys), then sealed it all.
After the sealer was dry, I then fixed the air vents, heat lamp, thermostat & plug holes & siliconed some artificial leafs to the back & side walls.
I also a fixed an aluminium “L” shaped track to the inside front of the enclosure to keep the substrate from falling in the door tracks (no sharp edges, as I filed them & then siliconed them also).
Painted the outside with oil based paint.
So yesterday I plugged everything in….all working good. Thermostat turns on & off when it reaches temp etc. I still have to get a thermometer, just cause I don’t trust the temp gauge on the thermostat 100%. I also went with a heat matt, so have cut a tile to fit over the top of it.
I will put the substrate in the floor on the day I pick up Fluffy.
Is there anything I have forgotten to add or do to this enclosure?
I think its turned out good, considering its my first attempt. I am looking forward to tackling a bigger enclosure later on.
I brought a $10 glass cabinet from Vinnies, complete with sliding glass doors (sliding glass doors were a bonus, as I didn’t have to pay anyone to get glass doors made).
I striped out the shelves, cut the holes for vents & electrics (once I had done much reading on here about heating & airflow….& drawn a few maps/plans of my enclosure).
Next stage was making the rock wall. I chose to us cans of form of fill. Sprayed on to the areas that I wanted it on. Let it go half off, before squashing it down to the desired effect and pattern that I wanted.
I then painted the inside with water based sand paints (I used dark & light greys), then sealed it all.
After the sealer was dry, I then fixed the air vents, heat lamp, thermostat & plug holes & siliconed some artificial leafs to the back & side walls.
I also a fixed an aluminium “L” shaped track to the inside front of the enclosure to keep the substrate from falling in the door tracks (no sharp edges, as I filed them & then siliconed them also).
Painted the outside with oil based paint.
So yesterday I plugged everything in….all working good. Thermostat turns on & off when it reaches temp etc. I still have to get a thermometer, just cause I don’t trust the temp gauge on the thermostat 100%. I also went with a heat matt, so have cut a tile to fit over the top of it.
I will put the substrate in the floor on the day I pick up Fluffy.
Is there anything I have forgotten to add or do to this enclosure?
I think its turned out good, considering its my first attempt. I am looking forward to tackling a bigger enclosure later on.