Post by manxminx on Oct 6, 2007 17:36:17 GMT
Years ago, many people used to build their own vivariums as there were few ready made ones available to buy. These days though, you can buy many different types off the shelf. However, making your own is still a viable proposition, especially if you have a specific size in mind that isn’t readily found in the shops. Also, it’s a lot more satisfying (and interesting!) than buying a ready made one. I decided to make one out of wood, but you could also use plastic sheeting or glass, or whatever else you want. The only limitation is your own imagination (and the requirements of the species you intend to keep). That’s why I’m posting this thread, in the hope that it might inspire people to build their own vivariums. Yes, like me, you might make some mistakes along the way, but you’ll also learn a lot! Of course the best bit is afterwards when you can tell people that you built it all by yourself!
As for the difficulty rating, if you can use a tape measure, saw, drill, wood glue, screwdriver, sandpaper and paintbrush, then you can build a wooden Vivarium. I don’t have (and didn’t use) a workbench, vice, router, spirit level, or G clamps (although these tools would have helped). All you need is basic DIY skills and some spare time. It helps to have some spare pocket money as well !
As for the overall cost, I bought plywood, MDF, wooden edge beading, glass runners, one pack of screws, waterproof wood glue, one pack of cork tiles, stainless steel mesh (ebay), Polyurethane varnish, and glass. Total cost was £46.44 That compares very favourably with similar 'wooden' vivariums you can buy in the shops – especially as it’s a lot stronger (and I feel, looks better) than the flat pack ready made ones (for example http://www.vivexotic.co.uk).
So, before I tell you how I did it, I just want to say that DIY can be dangerous, accidents do happen so be careful, and if you’re having problems or don’t feel confident using a drill or knife, ask someone to help you. Better safe than sorry!
Ok, that’s the blurb over with, here’s what the finished Vivarium looks like:
And here's how I made it:
The shelf my Vivarium is going to live on is 29cms deep, so I went to B&Q and bought a 9mm thick plywood sheet which I then got them to cut into 28cm wide planks. If you can find it, you should buy Marine Ply as it’s water resistant, but if not, then it might not matter, as you'll be waterproofing the inside anyway.
I also bought some 6mm thick MDF to use for the back of the Vivarium. On second thoughts I should have used plywood.
From the plywood planks, I measured and cut two sides to 31.5 cms long as the height I have available on the shelf is 33.5cms max. Next, I measured and cut the top and bottom planks, remembering to subtract the thickness of the two sides. I used a jigsaw, but an ordinary saw would have worked just as well.
I drilled pilot holes for the screws and using waterproof woodglue on all joins, I made a basic box:
and then glued and screwed the back on:
Then, to hold back the substrate I cut a small length of ply which I glued and screwed on here:
I had bought some silicone sealant to use along the inside edges, but I found out that the Silicone sealant (Bathroom sealant) they sell at DIY stores has a mould inhibitor and fungicide in it. What I need is the stuff specially made for Aquarium use. However, on second thought, I felt I didn't need sealant, the waterproof wood glue would work just as well.
The plywood edge looks awful so I bought a length of 'half round' which was 10mm thick, and cut it to shape using a kitchen knife. Eventually I managed to make some good right angles - it would have been easier to use a small saw! Anyway, I glued the wood on, holding it in place with sellotape:
For the air holes I had bought some steel mesh. However, what I bought was made of 'Drawn Steel' not 'Stainless Steel'. The stuff I got is gonna rust, so it's no good. So I bought some off ebay, but in future I would buy plastic vents, or mesh from www.dartfrog.co.uk
Ok, so I drilled some air holes into the plywood, not realising that it would end up like this
Looks better from the outside!
I only drilled holes in the top and one side. The side holes are 1/3 the way up, this helps air flow. I only drilled holes on ONE side of the vivarium. The other side I've left so that a heat mat can go there if I need one later on.
Using super glue as a temporary fixer, I stuck some cut mesh over the inside of the holes.
I had decided to line the inside of the vivarium with cork tiles. On reflection, maybe I should have just varnished the inside? Anyways, I cut out holes in the cork to match the air holes in the wood, and after cutting the cork tiles to size, glued them in:
(The brick is there to hold down one edge that wouldn't hold flat). I filled in any gaps with the wood glue, then after it was dry, I cut to size some 'W' shaped plastic channels and glued them in place with wood glue. These would be the runners for the glass front. Then, it was time to get the paintbrush out! I painted on three coats of Polyurethane varnish. This seals the cork and also any unwanted holes left in the inside edges. I had searched the web inside out and found that Polyurethane varnish is safe to use with small creatures such as reptiles and snails. HOWEVER, it should be left to fully cure for three days or so before you can get it wet or allow animals anywhere near it.
I also varnished the outside of the vivarium, sanding down between coats to get a really smooth finish. I used satin varnish
I then took my vivarium to a local specialist glazier who made some glass sliding doors to fit. £2.20! We couldn't believe it, must be the bargain of the month. You should ensure that toughened glass is used for safety resons.
And here is the finished Aliarium:
All that's left to do is fit the clear plastic handles to the glass, once the postal strike is over! I bought the building materials from B&Q and ebay, but www.dartfrog.co.uk also sell some interesting items you could use, even if they are rather expensive.
It's been great fun, I've learned a lot and will definitely be building my next vivarium rather than buying one.
In the next part, and once the postal strike is over, I'll do the plumbing and electrics.
Ali.
As for the difficulty rating, if you can use a tape measure, saw, drill, wood glue, screwdriver, sandpaper and paintbrush, then you can build a wooden Vivarium. I don’t have (and didn’t use) a workbench, vice, router, spirit level, or G clamps (although these tools would have helped). All you need is basic DIY skills and some spare time. It helps to have some spare pocket money as well !
As for the overall cost, I bought plywood, MDF, wooden edge beading, glass runners, one pack of screws, waterproof wood glue, one pack of cork tiles, stainless steel mesh (ebay), Polyurethane varnish, and glass. Total cost was £46.44 That compares very favourably with similar 'wooden' vivariums you can buy in the shops – especially as it’s a lot stronger (and I feel, looks better) than the flat pack ready made ones (for example http://www.vivexotic.co.uk).
So, before I tell you how I did it, I just want to say that DIY can be dangerous, accidents do happen so be careful, and if you’re having problems or don’t feel confident using a drill or knife, ask someone to help you. Better safe than sorry!
Ok, that’s the blurb over with, here’s what the finished Vivarium looks like:
And here's how I made it:
The shelf my Vivarium is going to live on is 29cms deep, so I went to B&Q and bought a 9mm thick plywood sheet which I then got them to cut into 28cm wide planks. If you can find it, you should buy Marine Ply as it’s water resistant, but if not, then it might not matter, as you'll be waterproofing the inside anyway.
I also bought some 6mm thick MDF to use for the back of the Vivarium. On second thoughts I should have used plywood.
From the plywood planks, I measured and cut two sides to 31.5 cms long as the height I have available on the shelf is 33.5cms max. Next, I measured and cut the top and bottom planks, remembering to subtract the thickness of the two sides. I used a jigsaw, but an ordinary saw would have worked just as well.
I drilled pilot holes for the screws and using waterproof woodglue on all joins, I made a basic box:
and then glued and screwed the back on:
Then, to hold back the substrate I cut a small length of ply which I glued and screwed on here:
I had bought some silicone sealant to use along the inside edges, but I found out that the Silicone sealant (Bathroom sealant) they sell at DIY stores has a mould inhibitor and fungicide in it. What I need is the stuff specially made for Aquarium use. However, on second thought, I felt I didn't need sealant, the waterproof wood glue would work just as well.
The plywood edge looks awful so I bought a length of 'half round' which was 10mm thick, and cut it to shape using a kitchen knife. Eventually I managed to make some good right angles - it would have been easier to use a small saw! Anyway, I glued the wood on, holding it in place with sellotape:
For the air holes I had bought some steel mesh. However, what I bought was made of 'Drawn Steel' not 'Stainless Steel'. The stuff I got is gonna rust, so it's no good. So I bought some off ebay, but in future I would buy plastic vents, or mesh from www.dartfrog.co.uk
Ok, so I drilled some air holes into the plywood, not realising that it would end up like this
Looks better from the outside!
I only drilled holes in the top and one side. The side holes are 1/3 the way up, this helps air flow. I only drilled holes on ONE side of the vivarium. The other side I've left so that a heat mat can go there if I need one later on.
Using super glue as a temporary fixer, I stuck some cut mesh over the inside of the holes.
I had decided to line the inside of the vivarium with cork tiles. On reflection, maybe I should have just varnished the inside? Anyways, I cut out holes in the cork to match the air holes in the wood, and after cutting the cork tiles to size, glued them in:
(The brick is there to hold down one edge that wouldn't hold flat). I filled in any gaps with the wood glue, then after it was dry, I cut to size some 'W' shaped plastic channels and glued them in place with wood glue. These would be the runners for the glass front. Then, it was time to get the paintbrush out! I painted on three coats of Polyurethane varnish. This seals the cork and also any unwanted holes left in the inside edges. I had searched the web inside out and found that Polyurethane varnish is safe to use with small creatures such as reptiles and snails. HOWEVER, it should be left to fully cure for three days or so before you can get it wet or allow animals anywhere near it.
I also varnished the outside of the vivarium, sanding down between coats to get a really smooth finish. I used satin varnish
I then took my vivarium to a local specialist glazier who made some glass sliding doors to fit. £2.20! We couldn't believe it, must be the bargain of the month. You should ensure that toughened glass is used for safety resons.
And here is the finished Aliarium:
All that's left to do is fit the clear plastic handles to the glass, once the postal strike is over! I bought the building materials from B&Q and ebay, but www.dartfrog.co.uk also sell some interesting items you could use, even if they are rather expensive.
It's been great fun, I've learned a lot and will definitely be building my next vivarium rather than buying one.
In the next part, and once the postal strike is over, I'll do the plumbing and electrics.
Ali.