Habitat Build

[crosscutts]

Well after my first build and not being involved for a while , i’m realizing that the habitat is a bit too small for a full grown panther it’s a perfect size for him now but he’ll soon grow out of it. So I decided to purchase another cabinet $40 on craigslist, and now I’m going to converted into a habitat . Thought I’d bring you all along for the ride .

 

[Beman]

This was a great cabinet build thread if you want to skim through it https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/bioactive-mentor.167174/

 

[crosscutts]

This was a great cabinet build thread if you want to skim through it https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/bioactive-mentor.167174/

Awesome I’m totally gonna check it out thank you !!!

 

[Beman]

Awesome I’m totally gonna check it out thank you !!!

You're welcome. I look forward to watching your progress. I love these types of enclosures.

 

[crosscutts]

So to make this cabinet The size recommended 4‘ x 2‘ x 4’ i’ve had to modify the bottom and the back adding another 8 inches to the back and 5 inches to the Bottom . I also added wheels so it’ll be easy to move around once loaded I will be adding substrate to the floor with a drainage system .since the tank so large , i’m gonna upgrade to a mistking and a four bulb fixture , The unit I found 4‘ x 14“ on Amazon runs around $165 . It’s made by Vivosun . If anybody has any other recommendations ? When are the bulbs I will make acadia uvb The rest I’ll have plant grow lites ..

 

[GrayMadder]

So to make this cabinet The size recommended 4‘ x 2‘ x 4’ i’ve had to modify the bottom and the back adding another 8 inches to the back and 5 inches to the Bottom . I also added wheels so it’ll be easy to move around once loaded I will be adding substrate to the floor with a drainage system .since the tank so large , i’m gonna upgrade to a mistking and a four bulb fixture , The unit I found 4‘ x 14“ on Amazon runs around $165 . It’s made by Vivosun . If anybody has any other recommendations ? When are the bulbs I will make acadia uvb The rest I’ll have plant grow lites ..

I LOVE! Watching these builds are my favorite ! Can't wait to see the finished project.

 

[crosscutts]

I LOVE! Watching these builds are my favorite ! Can't wait to see the finished project.

Thank you buddy , I promise to go through the whole thing lol

 

[crosscutts]

Got some more progress done this weekend .. installed 8th inch plexiglass around the whole interior , silicone in place the back for support and all edges so moisture will not protrude , then sprayed the whole inside over the top of Flexi and any exposed wood with flexseal , several parts came in from Amazon . Still having a hard time deciding whether I’m going to keep it minimalistic , with plants in pots or go full-blown with bio system and foaming the back wall .. used 8th inch Plexi on the bottom put half inch rim around outside edge drain in the middle of a pull plexi down to give drainage slope . With valve underneath and 5 gallon bucket ..

 

[crosscutts]

Two more days on this Got the rest of the plexiglass cut for the back, Cut holes for lights in the top . Set misters from Miss Kim system. Started working on the base unit , penetrations for wiring and misting system as well as fogger into bottom of unit. Tested PVC or fogger

 

[crosscutts]

Good morning all happy Saturday !! Went ahead and made quarter inch construction clause screen for light cover, with a wood frame covered in spray rubber . Got electrical pipe 2” black ABS in the left corner and half inch PVC up the center for fogger. Silicone back on , then using spray foam made fake trees , out of spray foam and covered with Black spray rubber to cover up pipes . Fogger will come out of top . Prepped last night ready to spray today the black Exterior , Wood will get light sand and re-sprayed with mahogany tint marine grade Verathane .

 

[crosscutts]

Took it outside yesterday and sprayed exterior , spending the day today sanding off the old Verathane, prepping for new stain Verathane on the outside

 

[crosscutts]

Well just a few last finishing touches , spent the weekend tweaking mist king attaching doors putting weatherstripping making screens for two outside plexi doors , added a slip fitting over humidifier so it’s easily removed , and then entered the plants and some Wildcut manzanita off my property .. all plants are in pots so they’re easily removed , so far everything is working as expected . The well went way past my budget I’m very happy with my resultS

 

[crosscutts]

My favorite part is the pull out electrical tray , where I have all the timers very easy access all wires are hidden within the cabinet , The two fake black trees made out of spray foam have a 2 inch tube for light wires and miss King tubing to go down into the bottom of the cabinet without going outside of the cabinet , The center tree supports the misting system pvc which has four outlets to saturate the entire cabinet with fog , of course when the tank temperature is above 80 the fogger doesn’t work very well , I have it set to go off at 1 o’clock in the morning until four , when I wake up the entire set up is a big cloud .. before leaving for work I open up the side doors . It also has two powered fans variable speed . Which literally dry almost the entire tank out over the eight hours during the day , top of tank drops to about 30% humidity at 80° Center of the tank is 74 with about 50% humidity bottom of the tank generally stays about 64 at 90% humidity . So I have a great Gradient from top to bottom with three sensors

 

[PlanetRemulak]

My favorite part is the pull out electrical tray , where I have all the timers very easy access all wires are hidden within the cabinet , The two fake black trees made out of spray foam have a 2 inch tube for light wires and miss King tubing to go down into the bottom of the cabinet without going outside of the cabinet , The center tree supports the misting system pvc which has four outlets to saturate the entire cabinet with fog , of course when the tank temperature is above 80 the fogger doesn’t work very well , I have it set to go off at 1 o’clock in the morning until four , when I wake up the entire set up is a big cloud .. before leaving for work I open up the side doors . It also has two powered fans variable speed . Which literally dry almost the entire tank out over the eight hours during the day , top of tank drops to about 30% humidity at 80° Center of the tank is 74 with about 50% humidity bottom of the tank generally stays about 64 at 90% humidity . So I have a great Gradient from top to bottom with three sensors

That is so unbelievably cool!! This is definitely not me feeling the slightest bit jealous.

 

[Beman]

Fantastic job!