Plywood thickness for DIY vivarium?

[Conner]

I'm thinking about building a DIY vivarium in the near future, and I was wondering the best way to build it. Here are my options:

1. Build a plywood box, using 1/2" or 3/4" hardwood plywood (either birch or red oak, for external looks).

2. Build a 2x4 frame, cover inside with 1/4" luan, insulate outside of plywood (in between 2x4's) with 1.5" foam board.

3. Build a 1x2 frame, cover inside with 1/4' luan, insulate outside of plywood (in between 1x2's) with 3/4" foam board.


All 3 options would have a plexi panel seated in a wood frame as the front wall, which opened either up or down (is either better?).

There would be cutouts in the ceiling for heat lamps/UVB bulbs, vent holes in the upper rear wall, and platforms for basking built into the side/back walls.

I am also considering creating a partition in the bottom, with one side of the partition waterproofed for a pool, and possible plumbed to an external canister filter to keep it clean. The other side would be waterproofed as well, but just used for holding whatever substrate the occupant would need.

I would also consider using either an under tank heater, or maybe mounting heat tape or a radiant heat panel on the ceiling.


I am not sure yet what kind of reptile I want to get. I am flip-flopping between a snake (western hognose, Brazilian Rainbow Boa, or Ball Python), a monitor (Ackie or Timor monitor), Tegu (Black and White), or a lizard (Frilled Lizard, possibly Water Dragon or Weberi Sailfin Dragon).

I'm very open to changing my mind (I do it daily right now), but those are the species that I'm most focused on right now. I'm leaning heavily towards either a snake or an ackie/timor monitor, depending on availability. Plus those require smaller enclosures than the lizards and tegu that I stated.

I'm looking at making this enclosure 4'Lx2'Wx3'T, with 6-12" of substrate depending on species. Does that sound good? Obviously for the lizards and tegu, I would need to upgrade after some period of time, and same possibly with the monitors.

What do you guys think?

 

[Conner]

Also considering bearded dragons as well, although they are lower on my list of reptiles wanted.

 

[Noto]

I don't see a tremendous amount of functional difference between the material choices. 3/4" oak ply gets pretty pricey. The 1X2 option will probably be lightest if you are planning to move it around. If it's going to stay where it's put, the better insulation of the 2x4 model might be worth the extra bulk.

As you said, you would eventually need a bigger tank for the tegus or agamids you mentioned. It's also a bit overkill for the snakes. If I were you I would go ahead and build a cage for life for whatever species you decide on (unless you have enough room that you can build a big new cage and keep this one too).

I would suggest sliding panels in tracks rather than a swing-out window. They are more compact and easier to work around, and are easily removed for cleaning. I also suggest glass rather than plexi, at least if you go with lizards. They can scratch plexi up pretty quickly.

Waterproofing the bottom is a good idea, but I suggest you use a separate container for the pool anyways; you'll probably want to remove it for cleaning fairly often, filter notwithstanding.

 

[EricIvins]

Ditch the wood and go with the many PVC related options you have.......It's not hard to work with, and you can find it pretty much anywhere now-a-days...........

 

[Conner]

Ditch the wood and go with the many PVC related options you have.......It's not hard to work with, and you can find it pretty much anywhere now-a-days...........

Does the pvc insulate that well, or does it matter?

I'm thinking I'm going to focus on building a setup for Ackies. I've wanted them ever since I first heard about them, and every thread I see with pics makes me want them even more. I may end up getting a snake as well, but for this build I want to focus on ackie monitors, I think.

I will look at pvc sheets though. There's a guy in town selling semi-transparent plastic, 2'x4' sheets at 5/32". I could use those to line.

 

[EricIvins]

Does the pvc insulate that well, or does it matter?

I'm thinking I'm going to focus on building a setup for Ackies. I've wanted them ever since I first heard about them, and every thread I see with pics makes me want them even more. I may end up getting a snake as well, but for this build I want to focus on ackie monitors, I think.

I will look at pvc sheets though. There's a guy in town selling semi-transparent plastic, 2'x4' sheets at 5/32". I could use those to line.

You don't use them to line anything. You chemically or heat weld the pieces together. Once they're welded, it essentially becomes one piece. I could go on, but you'd need access to the expensive tools to do so........

 

[Conner]

Sounds easier for me to make it out of plywood and just polyurethane it. I'm comfortable and experience working with wood and glass, whereas I've never worked with joining acrylic/pvc sheets.

 

[EricIvins]

Sounds easier for me to make it out of plywood and just polyurethane it. I'm comfortable and experience working with wood and glass, whereas I've never worked with joining acrylic/pvc sheets.

Simple concept......Apply the PVC bonding agent, join pieces, and let sit.......Once done, you'll never have to worry about all the stuff you have to with wood.........but, it is what it is........From a cage building perspective, wood is quite outdated and cumbersome.......Just my opinion though.....

 

[Conner]

Eh, I like the look of wood. It looks more natural, is easy to work with, and is easily replaceable if necessary. Besides, its more available to me than acrylic or pvc panels, and is much cheaper as well.


I'm considering trying something a little smaller and easier in terms of general care, such as an ameiva or a basilisk now. They are both readily available, relatively inexpensive, and are simple to care for and feed. They seem to both be primarily insectivores, which sits better with the other half. They'll help me get my feet wet with lizards, and then I can move on to larger and more difficult species once I'm comfortable with these guys.

I may pick up some plywood while I'm out tomorrow and start cutting and screwing. If money works out right, it could be ready next weekend, with an occupant not long after that.