I just added another six-footer beneath the first. The lower enclosure is setup differently than the last two. Due to height restrictions I decided to use a 36" t5 fixture (purchased from lightyourreptiles.com) equipped with an Arcadia t5 HO 12% UVB bulb. The basking bulb is, IIRC, a 75w outdoor halogen linked to a dimmer to easily adjust output. Cool side ambient light consists of a 23w (100w incandescent equivalent) 6500K CLF (which wasn’t on in the pictures. I still have some interior design to do but aside from that it’s pretty much done.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269665
Custom Uro Enclosure III
All i have to say is WOW.... puts my custom to shame.....lol..... i will be re doing an old dresser for my uros in a bit, it takes a while to sand everything and prep it but i think it is going to be pretty awesome, will post pics after it is done.... i have a feeling yours is defiantly one of the BEST ones iv seen! =D
Message To: Deadlyconfetti In reference to Message Id: 2270580
Custom Uro Enclosure III
haha, thanks :) I actually just built another 4’ enclosure yesterday which should be ready for an instal some time next week...just need to get the background done.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2270775
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Im rather embarrassed now to post my pictures of my custom stuff haha, but it was my first one the one im making now is better plus i learned some tricks!
Message To: Deadlyconfetti In reference to Message Id: 2270777
Custom Uro Enclosure III
For the top enclosure I used 2" thick high density foam insulation which was then carved and coated with several layers of poly fortified non-sanded colored grout. For the bottom I used the same technique only instead of using grout I went with much stronger topping mix concrete, again with a poly/acrylic fortifier.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2270782
Custom Uro Enclosure III
how thick do you make the grout, i found that was the hardest part was making the best consistency and putting it on! How do you put on the grout? sorry for the questions just trying to learn better ways or easier ways of doing things. i want to re design all my terrariums, i got a heavy wood, that is about 6 foot dresser im going to use for the uros, just getting ventilation in, then im keeping my eye out for an old china cabinet to do for my chameleon, then just going to do backgrounds and stuff for my leopard gecko and snake. well im babbling again! you have great work =)
Message To: Deadlyconfetti In reference to Message Id: 2270824
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Thank you again. If I recall correctly I applied four or five coats of grout with a paint brush, which gave it a total thickness of around 1/8". The first layer was very thin which I used to coat every nook and cranny. After that layer dried I added a second layer that was a bit thicker than the first and worked with thicker consistencies from there on out. Since I decided to forgo the sealing/clear coat process due to aesthetic purposes when I installed them I got a bit of chipping, hence the use of the sand topping mix in later/current backgrounds. I prefer the appearance of the grout to the concrete but the latter has proven to be stronger.
Anyway, good luck with your build and be sure to post images of the process and or the finished product.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2270855
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Yes i found that for the first one i did a while back that it took i think around 8 coats of grout, i made mine a bit thinner then they said to on the box so it could be easier spread on and yes mine cracked and stuff too and i have noticed now that the ramp i made has cracked ( thus why i am making a new one for the uros) it isnt harming anything right now it isnt very big but i dont like it, like i said i got pointers from making the first one.... including how fast Styrofoam melts as i burned myself several times on it lol. It might lok like crap but it is 100 percent better then what they were in when i got them, and it shows in how they are!
i will def post pics... if stuff turns out good lol.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269665
Custom Uro Enclosure III
I figured I’d update this since there have been changes made since last posting. I’ll start with just a single shot of my male ornate’s new setup.
There are several hides throughout; two separate levels directly below the basking area (you can see an entrance to one of them), a hide in the root centerpiece and a cool end hide directly below the feeding platform. The hides below the basking area are custom made using 2" thick foam insulation board (cut in strips) coated with a concrete mixture topped with ~1" thick concrete slabs that are reinforced with expanded metal mesh. The artificial grasses are anchored in concrete coated foam-core bases.
Message To: Sahara99 In reference to Message Id: 2284932
Custom Uro Enclosure III
asap, Paul. He was out exploring the few days after I set everything up however I’ve seen very, very little action from all of my uros lately (apart from my female ornate, who’s up and at em’ even before the lights come on). Just like a switch, brumation seems to have kicked in to full gear.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2285065
Custom Uro Enclosure III
How did you do the lights? Are the lights enclosed some how? I’d like to convert an old armoire, but I’m worried about the lights being in a closed space a possibly causing a fire.
Message To: Cudrak In reference to Message Id: 2285226
Custom Uro Enclosure III
I have all of my basking bulbs mounted in adjustable security light fixtures and or porcelain keyless bulb holders, which are attached to an electric box that is attached to the enclosure ceiling. For example:
Surface temps would need to exceed 350f in order for any possibility of combustion when using certain type of wood without any type of accelerant. That said, the surface temp measured just above the bulb(s) never exceeds the temperature of the basking site itself, which ranges from 120-130f.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2285381
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Hi I’m trying to do a foam background for my bearded dragon cage, I got it all carved and have the poly fortified non-sanded colored grout to put on I was just wondering if I should apply a clear coat after the grout? You said it was cracking because you didn’t but how bad was the cracking and you think it would look too glossy if I did? Sorry the the questions I just want to make sure before I started the grout.
Message To: Rep-tahyl In reference to Message Id: 2285489
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Honestly I don’t see myself using grout again, at least not on it’s own. I’m sure there is a better way to apply it, but I’ve yet to master that process--perhaps if it were sealed or if it were applied in thicker/more layers or wet cured it would hold up better. At the moment I prefer sand/topping mix with an acrylic additive and buff coloration, which has been considerably stronger in my experience. In fact I went over the first background I ever made with it to ensure longevity. While grout looks nicer (smoother) in my opinion, I’m just not in love with its resistance against general wear and tear. If you decide to go with the topping mix but you like the look of a smoother surface perhaps you can try sifting larger particles out of the concrete mix for a smoother texture--this is something I wanted to try but never got around to. That said, I personally would only use a sealant if I intended to use the backdrop in an aquatic or semi-aquatic setup, never for desert/semi-arid setups--The glossy sheen would just kill aesthetics all together.
Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2291649
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Thanks! Hopefully I can get to building the vivarium soon, it’s just a bit too cold here in Canada XD. Right now i’m in the design process... Building a 6’ x 2’ x 2’ and a 4’ x 2’ x 2’ vivarium. When i’m finished which probably won’t be for a while, i’ll try to post pics. :) I also may have some more questions along the way... Thanks! :)
Custom Uro Enclosure III
Custom Uro Enclosure III
