Conversion of 110L Sterilite Storage container into croc skink vivarium

[Torin]

I'm not happy with my croc skink's current setup. Right now it's kind of boring ugly and dry. I'm going to try making a new one that looks a bit better. Better environment for growing plants, lighting, viewing, heat, humidity, ventilation ect.

This is how the current one looks.




And here's a view from the top.

[froggsong]

Hey, that looks pretty good for a plastic bin conversion. I bet you could put in a plexi viewing pane instead of screen too. Please write up an article on how you made the current tank. It will be a good topic for people looking to make a vive that will work, for very little money. I would really appreciate it if you would do the write up, we need more articles on different types of setups.

[Torin]

Well I got some glass for the front part on the new one I'm building. I just set it in with silicone earlier today. I'll be attaching silver window screen to both sides of that glass, also with silicone.



I made the opening in the front using a heated plastic knife. For the old one I did pretty much the same thing. I just cut out a hole in the lid and in the side I wanted to be the front. Then I siliconed in some silver window screen. The rest is just like a normal tank adding dirt and whatever else. The new one is going to be less sloppily done.

[froggsong]

Why are you putting screen over both sides of the glass? I'm not sure if I understand the purpose of that one.

[froggsong]

I would just like to say, You have given me an EXCELLENT idea for new tanks. I NEVER thought to cut out one side of the tank and put in screen, glass, or plexi. It makes it possible to use plastic (which holds in heat much better than glass, not to mention how much cheaper it is) to construct beautiful vives for less than half the price. Oh, the possibilities, lol... I can't wait to make one.

[islandvivs]

yep its indeed cheap and economic way to do it. Another thing you cando is go to ure local glass shop and ask the person there for junk glass. You'll be surprised what you'll find there.

[Torin]

Originally Posted by froggsong

Why are you putting screen over both sides of the glass? I'm not sure if I understand the purpose of that one.

Not actually over the glass. Just in the open spaces next to it. I was planning on using two pieces of glass for that, but I got the wrong size and could only use one pane. So now I have to use some screen.

[froggsong]

The open spaces? I'm not sure I see the open spaces you are talking about. I'm sorry to keep asking so many questions, I am just very interested in what you are building. Could you take a close up pic of the spot?

Oh, wait a minute, is the glass siliconed in the MIDDLE of the hole you cut out? It is so hard to tell...

[Torin]

Originally Posted by froggsong

I would just like to say, You have given me an EXCELLENT idea for new tanks. I NEVER thought to cut out one side of the tank and put in screen, glass, or plexi. It makes it possible to use plastic (which holds in heat much better than glass, not to mention how much cheaper it is) to construct beautiful vives for less than half the price. Oh, the possibilities, lol... I can't wait to make one.

I think the storage bin cost me about twelve bucks, and the screen was about ten. Not bad considering I saw a 20gallon long terrarium with screen lid that was sixty bucks recently.

I actually prefer glass, but I hate dealing with it.

[Torin]

Originally Posted by froggsong

The open spaces? I'm not sure I see the open spaces you are talking about. I'm sorry to keep asking so many questions, I am just very interested in what you are building. Could you take a close up pic of the spot?

Oh, wait a minute, is the glass siliconed in the MIDDLE of the hole you cut out? It is so hard to tell...

Yeah sorry about that. It's sitting on a glass table so it's hard to tell. The glass is siliconed in the middle of the hole. The screen will be used to cover the holes still open on either side of the glass.