Vivarium
This project, as most of mine begin, came from necessity. We have a Veiled Chameleon and he is big, needed more than a 3x3x3, especially being arboreal.
The vivarium makes a beautiful conversation piece, guests usually are excited to see something like it.
Cost, strictly wood work, hardware, not counting tools needed, you’re looking at about $200. Keep in kind the pet shop 3x3x3 is about the same price, but this one is 7ft tall.
The vivarium makes a beautiful conversation piece, guests usually are excited to see something like it.
Cost, strictly wood work, hardware, not counting tools needed, you’re looking at about $200. Keep in kind the pet shop 3x3x3 is about the same price, but this one is 7ft tall.
Supplies
10-12: 1x2x84 this is the frame work for the vivarium.
1-roll of heat safe wire mesh screen, will have lights suspended over. (Top)
2-3 rolls of pet strength black screen door screen. Get the longest rolls available.
2-rolls of Truck Liner securing Velcro
1-hanging Shepard’s hook, mountable
Staple Gun
Saw, I used a miter saw
1-box of staples
1-roll of black duct tape
2- rolls of the wide flex seal tape (moisture control)
4-heavy mil contractor bags (moisture control-bottom)
Scissors to cut screen
1-box of 3/4 inch wood screws
Pocket jig kit
Pocket jig screws
16-corner braces
Sander
Sandpaper
Food grade beeswax (sealing wood and metal hardware)
Fogger/Rain system
Various live plants, moss, and artificial plants and foliage
UVA and Linear UVB lighting system
2-Hydrometer/Thermometer automated
Various tree limbs and climbing structures.
1-roll of heat safe wire mesh screen, will have lights suspended over. (Top)
2-3 rolls of pet strength black screen door screen. Get the longest rolls available.
2-rolls of Truck Liner securing Velcro
1-hanging Shepard’s hook, mountable
Staple Gun
Saw, I used a miter saw
1-box of staples
1-roll of black duct tape
2- rolls of the wide flex seal tape (moisture control)
4-heavy mil contractor bags (moisture control-bottom)
Scissors to cut screen
1-box of 3/4 inch wood screws
Pocket jig kit
Pocket jig screws
16-corner braces
Sander
Sandpaper
Food grade beeswax (sealing wood and metal hardware)
Fogger/Rain system
Various live plants, moss, and artificial plants and foliage
UVA and Linear UVB lighting system
2-Hydrometer/Thermometer automated
Various tree limbs and climbing structures.
Building the Frame
You need to measure and cut 8-3ft pieces, these are to build the box frame for the top and bottom.
Once cut, use your pocket jig kit to measure depth drill bit needs to be set at, and drill 2 pockets holes on both ends of every board cut.
Once pocket holes are drilled, sand the wood briefly, cleaning up any rough spots. Assemble them in a box shape, use above images as reference. Don’t worry if they aren’t completely squared or perfect, the corner braces and uprights will straighten it out, once fastened.
Now take the other 8-1x2x84 pieces of lumber and drill two pocket holes on both ends of all remaining lumber, sand when finished.
Now starting with two pieces, making an “L” shape assemble a corner, I had to have a partner help hold the lumber, while I attached corner braces, use 3 per corner section. Repeat steps three more times, for three more corners.
Remember that pre-cut square plywood? We’re going to attach it to the top part of the bottoms box-frame, to make the platform.
Now attach the corners to the top and bottom box frames that are already assembled.
Use pocket jig screws and further attach and secure. Take your time here, uses additional screws if needed.
Congratulations, the hardest part is done!!
Once cut, use your pocket jig kit to measure depth drill bit needs to be set at, and drill 2 pockets holes on both ends of every board cut.
Once pocket holes are drilled, sand the wood briefly, cleaning up any rough spots. Assemble them in a box shape, use above images as reference. Don’t worry if they aren’t completely squared or perfect, the corner braces and uprights will straighten it out, once fastened.
Now take the other 8-1x2x84 pieces of lumber and drill two pocket holes on both ends of all remaining lumber, sand when finished.
Now starting with two pieces, making an “L” shape assemble a corner, I had to have a partner help hold the lumber, while I attached corner braces, use 3 per corner section. Repeat steps three more times, for three more corners.
Remember that pre-cut square plywood? We’re going to attach it to the top part of the bottoms box-frame, to make the platform.
Now attach the corners to the top and bottom box frames that are already assembled.
Use pocket jig screws and further attach and secure. Take your time here, uses additional screws if needed.
Congratulations, the hardest part is done!!
Seal Wood and Assemble
Now that the frame is built, all we have left is to seal everything with food safe beeswax, and add screen, plants, lights and moisture systems.
For the sealing process I simply rubbed a block of beeswax over everything, many coats, until every surface inside and the hardware inside are tacky from the wax.
Next we attach the mountable Shepard’s hook on the outside-top. Then we will cut, staple and secure the metal mesh screen to the top of the vivarium. Once that is done, use some duct tape to tape any frayed edges or corner-bits of the screen.
Now, using the pet guard screen, staple a few staples at the edge, and begin wrapping the entire parameter with it, taking time to staple and pull tight as you do. You should have had enough screen from one roll to do two sides, next issuing the other roll, seam the edges of Weber’s the first roll ended, and secure one other side, leaving the front part open and only stapled on the hinge of the front door you’re making.
Take your black contractor bags and line bottom, taping the edges around top and bottom with Flexseal tape.
Add plants, foliage, climbing structures.
Using the Velcro we are going to attach it to the parameter of the door. Pro tip, leave the Velcro injected and just peel and stick the other side to the screen itself. Then, once Velcro is attached to screen on front door, peel and the side and attach to the wood frame, this will now be your front door, for managing your pet and plants.
Assemble and setup water systems and Lighting and be prepared to have guests amazed with your Zoo quality vivarium!!
For the sealing process I simply rubbed a block of beeswax over everything, many coats, until every surface inside and the hardware inside are tacky from the wax.
Next we attach the mountable Shepard’s hook on the outside-top. Then we will cut, staple and secure the metal mesh screen to the top of the vivarium. Once that is done, use some duct tape to tape any frayed edges or corner-bits of the screen.
Now, using the pet guard screen, staple a few staples at the edge, and begin wrapping the entire parameter with it, taking time to staple and pull tight as you do. You should have had enough screen from one roll to do two sides, next issuing the other roll, seam the edges of Weber’s the first roll ended, and secure one other side, leaving the front part open and only stapled on the hinge of the front door you’re making.
Take your black contractor bags and line bottom, taping the edges around top and bottom with Flexseal tape.
Add plants, foliage, climbing structures.
Using the Velcro we are going to attach it to the parameter of the door. Pro tip, leave the Velcro injected and just peel and stick the other side to the screen itself. Then, once Velcro is attached to screen on front door, peel and the side and attach to the wood frame, this will now be your front door, for managing your pet and plants.
Assemble and setup water systems and Lighting and be prepared to have guests amazed with your Zoo quality vivarium!!