Custom Viv Thread

[JIFFYPOP]

Screen doors were installed today! Last step is to paint and seal the foam on the bottom! Then I’ll test the MistKing and fogger and make sure it’s all ready for Leo to come home. Question: I crocheted a jute net but wasn’t sure if it was safe for Leo. I wanted to give him something additional to climb on where the glass is because he’s used to an all screen cage...

Looks killer, nice work!

 

[salty dog]

It looks nice!! I maximize the amount of inside space for branches, horizontal & vertical, empty inside viv space = wasted space

 

[extrajordinary]

I'd personally avoid the jute net in case Leo's nails get caught, and it may get moldy/harbor bacteria. You can take dowels (bamboo, oak, etc.) and criss cross them up the side of the enclosure for climbing, though! And you can use the lattice to attach horizontal branches. I suppose you could take a ready made lattice, potentially seal it, and use that as well!

I know someone did it for their clearside, but I cant recall who or where. I recall you mentioning you're visual, so something like this:

View attachment 232056

You can lash the dowels together with small zip ties etc. I like it in a diamond pattern, but you can do it however you'd like!

This is great! I’ll definitely see about doing this instead! Thank you!

 

[extrajordinary]

Looks killer, nice work!

Thank you!

 

[extrajordinary]

It looks nice!! I maximize the amount of inside space for branches, horizontal & vertical, empty inside viv space = wasted space

Yes, I forgot to mention that I intend to add more branches!

 

[extrajordinary]

Getting down to the end! I have a few more layers of paint to add and then I have to seal the foam with Olympic Multi-Surface Sealant. Is 24 hours enough time to air out?

 

[Beman]

Getting down to the end! I have a few more layers of paint to add and then I have to seal the foam with Olympic Multi-Surface Sealant. Is 24 hours enough time to air out?

I thought you wanted to air it out over a week before? I do not know if 24 hours is ok or not. @Brodybreaux25 what are your thoughts on this?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Viv should off-gas for 1 week after completion before adding your Cham.

 

[JIFFYPOP]

Viv should off-gas for 1 week after completion before adding your Cham.

Hey @Brodybreaux25, could post link to your build thread? That thing is amazing, plus I wanted to ask you how you did your drainage tray too, lol

 

[Brodybreaux25]

If you look on the first page I carved recessed drainage channels into the floor of the viv and spread them out to every part of the floor. Every channel is sloped to the center of the viv where I installed a kitchen sink drain. Waterproofed everything with roll on FlexSeal.

Then I built a removable 4 sided bin to fit in the viv, open too and bottom. Then attached several layers of fine SS mesh running in opposite directions. This served as the bottom of the bin and prevents the soil from running out of the viv.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/bioactive-mentor.167174/

 

[JIFFYPOP]

If you look on the first page I carved recessed drainage channels into the floor of the viv and spread them out to every part of the floor. Every channel is sloped to the center of the viv where I installed a kitchen sink drain. Waterproofed everything with roll on FlexSeal.

Then I built a removable 4 sided bin to fit in the viv, open too and bottom. Then attached several layers of fine SS mesh running in opposite directions. This served as the bottom of the bin and prevents the soil from running out of the viv.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/bioactive-mentor.167174/

Awesome thanks bro. The kitchen sink was got me wondering how you did it, lol. Great idea

 

[Brodybreaux25]

If you don’t want to do all that you can just buy a shower pan with a drain already in it and then trim to fit your viv. It would be expensive but it would be a bit easier.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Awesome thanks bro. The kitchen sink was got me wondering how you did it, lol. Great idea

I don’t think I have pics of that step, let me look...

 

[Brodybreaux25]

No, no pics to show drain install. It’s easy just drill the hole where you want it and drop it in. My viv has a 8” false bottom allowing me enough space to plumb everything in. This is what you want:

 

[JIFFYPOP]

No, no pics to show drain install. It’s easy just drill the hole where you want it and drop it in. My viv has a 8” false bottom allowing me enough space to plumb everything in. This is what you want:View attachment 232208View attachment 232209View attachment 232210

No worries, I can figure out all the plumbing. That drain is another great idea tho. Easy clean out eh?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

No worries, I can figure out all the plumbing. That drain is another great idea tho. Easy clean out eh?

Well if your running bio the clean out is covered by dirt. I’m not using it for a clean out, using it as a tool to move the water from the viv to the plumbing drains. I’ll probably never see that clean out again until I demo that viv.

 

[extrajordinary]

I thought you wanted to air it out over a week before? I do not know if 24 hours is ok or not. @Brodybreaux25 what are your thoughts on this?

I was hoping to do it a week in advance. Okay, I will adjust plans! Thanks all!

 

[absolutbill]

This build looks great - sorry I was out of town for the long weekend when I was tagged, so I'm just seeing this now!

 

[extrajordinary]

All done and ready for Leo! (Just needs to finish airing out.)

 

[Beman]

All done and ready for Leo! (Just needs to finish airing out.)

Looks great hun! I think you are going to need many more horizontal branches though.