Planning on Starting Case Today

[Slowbra]

Hey guys, im going out today to pick up some Lexan and Stuff to start my project. Just wondering what stuff i need to pick up from Lowe's so i can write it down, I kno i said Lexan, i need something stronger than normal with younger siblings running around and throwing things. Ive been through 2 glass cases.

Thanks Scott

[Athen]

well it all depends on what you are putting into it and how big it will be for the one im gonna be building in gonna make it all out of MDF or plywood except for the front which will be plexi and paint the inside of it with an epoxy aquaculture paint to seal it but my tank is gonna be 6ftL x 5ftH x 3ftW the fact that it is made out of wood helps alot if you have a lizard or something that likes to rub on glass since they cannot see through it they wont try to run through it

[Slowbra]

Well ill lookin to go with live plants and a CWDs, 3.5ftL x 2ftH x 1.5ftW is that big enough or should i go bigger, im just trying to fit it on my head board in my room so i can watch the CWDs, im thinking of a Paludarium/Aquarium mix, but i dont kno if i can get the plywood that waterproof.

[Athen]

yep my tank is for a CWD as well and the size you were lookin at will not be adequate for one as an adult they need a large amount of space my tank will be set up as a false bottom system with half land half water and be planted you will be able to get the plywood or MDF as waterproof as you want if you use the right materials like i mentioned in my previous post Epoxy Aquaculture paint would be perfect for that and building a tank that size out of wood would be signifigantly cheaper than with lexan or all plexi basically for all the plywood for it you would be looking at about 70 bucks then about 30 or so for your plexi for the viewing pane

[Slowbra]

Ok this is my build so far. Im using Cabot Polystain Water Born for the wood.

Paid 50 for the plexi and 5 for the ply, i knew the guy cuttin my stuff so he cut me down so prices, after the mesh screen, Black GE II silicone, hinges, paint brush and stain. Ive got 105 bux in it. so far so good, if i do say so myself.

Edit: sorry threw a in a pic of my little guy and my tattoo

[froggsong]

Just make sure that the stain is non-toxic before you add the CWD. Athen is right though, you will need AT LEAST 6'x3'x6' when the dragon is an adult. Right now a smaller enclosure is fine as long as it is twice the length of the dragon long and tall, and the length of the dragon wide. Height is VERY important as they are arboreal. How big is the enclosure you are building? Did you go with the measurements you said earlier, or did you go bigger? It looks bigger in the pics, but it's hard to tell. Make sure you put in a bunch of appropriately sized branches for your little guy to climb on. And you'll definitely need to filter the water unless you are going to change it AT LEAST every other day. They poop alot, but I'm sure you know that... You can cut costs on filters (not the pump, but the filter media that goes inside) by using Fluval filter sponges, water polishing pads, and carbon. The carbon has to be replaced every now and then because it can only absorb so much, but you can wash the sponges and polishing pads (eventually they will have to be replaced, it just depends on how often you rinse them out). I use a Whisper 10i in my CWD and newt tanks. I wish I had time to post more, but I have to go cook dinner, keep us posted on your progress.

[Slowbra]

The stain say Safe for Childrens Furniture but it says nothing about being toxic or non-toxic? HELP!!!


Yea i stuck with my demensions. I look to start breeding sometime next year, in six months ill 18 and on my own, so ill more then likely have a room for my herps, my old man has hugh fish aquarium he said i can have, it need some major clensing thinking about using it for so bearded dragons or may sell it. Ill probably use this viv im building for the juveniles, and build another one in like i said 6 months. Im just hoping thats not too late.

As for water filtration, i have alot of different filter types. I have a Whisper 20i that i used in the fish tank. I think with some modding of it and some add rocks and things i can make it into a realist waterfall.

My dad love reps, years ago, i mean years ago, i was maybe like 7, he had a baby Croc in a hand build 1500 gallon tank, i say it was about 10 x 10 x 2, it was hugh, i still remember 10 years later.

[Athen]

as far as toxic and non toxic you are looking more at the possibility of seepage with water and substrate materials if it is safe for childern good bets are it may be safe for the herps but then again due to the fact that they arent human something that isnt toxic to us may be to them.. a good option for paint that will be both safe to your WD and effectively waterproof and seal your tank would be this Aquatic Eco-Systems: Epoxy Paint, 1 Gallon

as far as for the new enclosure you will be building in 6 months that should still be ok your WD is still a very small guy yet so you have some time for him my WD id guess is probably about 6 months or so maybe a little less i have had him for about 2.5 months and he is probably about twice the size of yours and he was about the same size when i got him and he still fits comfortably into a 60 gal tank

as far as the beardies in the tank that sounds like a good idea when they are younger and smaller they dont rly need too much space but as they get older they need more room they get quite large but since they are quite docile and are pretty much lazy they dont rly use up a lot of space i have one baby that is about 4 inches long in a 20gal tall tank and he has way more than enough room and i have a friend who has 2 very happy and content adults in a 40 gal tank so i guess it all depends on the animal =)

[Slowbra]

Is there any where i can get that paint in stores and do you think i can cover the stain i have now?

Yea the tank dad has that im getting is a 70 gallon tank im thinkin.

[Athen]

as far as for the paint if you can get it at a store i dont know of any off hand but if you were to go to a pool supply store or an aquarium specialization store they might carry it or may be able to get it to you as far as if it would cover the stain i couldnt see any reason why it wouldnt as long as the stain is dry and with the paint being an epoxy sealing paint (means it is actually a solid) when you have your whole surface covered it would seal out any chance for the stain to effect your Vive so the stain may not be so bad a thing it will protect the plywood from any moisture that may possibly be between the epoxy paint and the wood