Need feedback/advice on my enclosure design

[MFFL]

Hey everyone, I have posted here a couple times, but am still relatively new. I have been working on a design for an enclosure setup, and want to post some pictures and get everyone's thoughts and opinions. So here goes!!

The first image is a basic front view of the setup. The bottom stand is already built, and my two BPs currently live in a split terrarium that sits on the stand. The two units on top with the windows are what I am in the process of designing and building.



Here is a view of the setup from an angle.



A close up of the two stackable units. My bp's would reside in the two larger bottom units, and then the top three are yet to be decided. Thinking about a Pac Man frog, tarantula, scorpion, crested gecko, western hognose, etc...it's still up the air what I will put in them.



And here is a shot from the back. This shows the vent holes that would be drilled. Would those holes be sufficient enough? Or do I need to scratch those and put in larger round vents? Just figured if they would work, it would save a bit of money.



I want to install a misting system that would run through each enclosure, but have the ability to switch certain enclosures on and off so that those that need less misting would not get over misted. I just haven't worked that whole thing out yet. I would like to build it myself without having to buy an entire system somewhere. I was hoping some of you would have some suggestions?

I am also wanting to run flexwatt throughout the units. My question here is, what would you guys to as far as the placement of the flexwatt? Would you place it on the outside of the wood (3/4" wood will be used), or would you place it on the inside of the enclosures? If placed on the inside, would there need to be some sort of separation between the flexwatt and the substrate? Perhaps a sheet of plexiglass or something?

The last thing I am still working out is lighting. I don't plan on getting anything that will need a basking light, so I am just wanting some sort of undercabinet style lighting. What have you guys used in the past?

Of course, any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

[MFFL]

Don't all comment at once

[szynk.reptiles]

i think it looks really nice ! u making it for like a livingroom design something to display...? it looks great !

[llovelace]

A great looking display unit

[wolfy-hound]

Great looking display. It will look like high quality furniture when you're done.

Couple comments, make certain to seal all wood inside so it can be sanitized. There's several options for sealing or coating it, I'm sure you know a bunch.

The holes drilled would pobably be too much ventilation for a ball python that needs more humidity. Properly kept, balls shouldn't need a misting system either, without a screen top letting out all the humidity. You'd want to build, then test the humidity before you drill any vent holes. After all, you can always drill more!

The lighting needs to be completely enclosed so your animals don't climb up between the unit and the "roof" OR wind up on a bulb and break it. The silly critters do the weirdest things given opportunity.

Make certain everything airs out thoroughly before putting any critters into it.

When that is done, you'll be the envy of the site with such a awesome display piece. I can't wait to see it! Could you post 'in-progress' shots of how it's built and such too maybe? I love to se things being built!

[MFFL]

Thanks for the comments! Like I said, I've got the bottom stand portion already built, I will post pictures of that. I have a few from during the build.

The holes drilled would pobably be too much ventilation for a ball python that needs more humidity. Properly kept, balls shouldn't need a misting system either, without a screen top letting out all the humidity. You'd want to build, then test the humidity before you drill any vent holes. After all, you can always drill more!

Yeah I didn't plan on using the misting system with the BPs, but I want to go ahead and run it through each section so that if I ever do rearrange my critters, I will have more options without having to take the whole unit down to run tubing through. Testing the humidity before drilling the holes is a great idea!! I didn't even think about that! Thanks!

The lighting needs to be completely enclosed so your animals don't climb up between the unit and the "roof" OR wind up on a bulb and break it. The silly critters do the weirdest things given opportunity.

Here is a link to some lights I bought...

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

Would these be okay? Again, I don't plan on getting anything that will require a basking light or above heat, so I'm not needing anything too substantial. Just something to brighten things up a bit!

Thanks again for all of your input and advice! Keep em coming! And I will post pictures of the stand build below!

[MFFL]

Alright here are pictures of the stand build! I have to begin by saying that this design was not originally mine. I got it from this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eykJXgu8rh0
Instead of cutting a round hole in the front for a display, I decided to make them little cubbie holes. On to the pictures! (oh, and don't mind the dates on the photos...it wasn't set correctly on the camera!)

First two images are the frame. Built with standard 2x4s and 2x6s.



Here is a shot with the back panel in place. I used 3/4" birch plywood for the panels.


Here I began building the cubbies! Used 3/4" birch ply again and screwed the sides together. Didn't have to be too picky with appearance here since the majority of the outside of the cubbies would not be visible.



In this shot, we have the front and back panels in place to measure for the sides. We also installed the top.


There's the old man, working on the sides while I put the not quite completed cubbies into their slots!


Sides installed! We used some angle brackets on the inside to secure the side panels to the front and back panels. Now it's on to adding trim!


Here I installed some molding around the edges of the cubbies that have a lip so they rest snug against the front panel. Just got some generic molding from Home Depot. We made the cubbies removable, which makes a nice place to hide things on the inside of the stand.



Here's the last picture I have before we stained it. We installed 1x4 all the way around the top, and raised it about an inch from the platform that way the terrarium sits inside. We still added some trim along the bottom as well as under the 1x4 up top (you can see in the next picture).


Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the staining process, but that is pretty straight forward. Didn't do anything special, just got some Red Mahogany stain from Home Depot. Here's the final product!


Hope you enjoyed! If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer!

[snake2615]

looks very nice !!!!

[mues155]

well mr. fancy!
Is that a 3-D image from a computer program? pretty cool
We need pictures of the finished project!

[purplemuffin]

Awesome!! I love it! You could make some serious money doing stuff like that for reptile people, I know I would love something that looked that good!