Cost of building A Vivarium

[clarkee_04]

I was just wondering what the cost would be for a 4x2x2 viv. I am planning to use oak ( 3 sides oak and 1 side glass). I have about 600 bucks that can be used for this, and I wanted to know if someone could give me an estimate of what you think I would be spending on everything (wood,glass,runners,vents, mesh).

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Wreptile]

You have enough to probably make around 3 of those, in my opinion.
Lol.
Unless you buy really expensive supplies.

For your question, I have no idea how much it would cost. Definately not $600 though.
Wait for someone to reply that has done this before.
Sorry I couldn't help.

 

[reddmann]

I built a 6 by 3 by 3 when I had my redtail boa but I used melamine not oak. If I remember right it was $100 or less for supplies including plexiglass for sliding glass doors.

 

[clarkee_04]

whats the difference between plexi glass and glass?

 

[2bacop]

plexi glass is flexable and a lot cheaper to buy than regular glass, it also doesnt break as easy.

 

[clarkee_04]

and it looks the same?
I'm basically looking to build a display tank that will house multiple females (7-10). So I want this to look as nice as possible, which is why I am using the oak. On top of all that, would the front glass piece be easier to build/use if it was on runners or a drop down door?

 

[reddmann]

Well plexiglass is easier to cut, and yes its clear like regular glass. mine was on rollers because i wanted sliding glass doors. But you could make it however you want. If I made another one I would probably do sliding again or make a front opening door or front opening double doors. Good luck.

 

[Zynx_Keekeio]

I was going to build three 20 longs with a shelve underneath them and the total cost for everything except for tiles and inside lighting (sinces it's In a box basically except for the front) was going to cost me 179 that's with tax

door knobs
locks
plexiglass was most exspensive
wood for sides
wood for bottom and top
holey wood for back
nails
hinges


and the supplies I didn't add
wood sealant
tiles
lights ( not UVB or anything not like an led light)
the possibilty of using a prexsisting shelf for wood instead creating wood
manuel work
and that's it

 

[clarkee_04]

thanks for everything...what do you think the difficulty of this project is? I mean I can get all the wood cut for free, just the rest of it?

 

[project1]

you have got plenty to spend on maken a nice viv and still have lots of money left over

 

[clarkee_04]

ok, and is it hard to get all the corners square? Thats what I'm concerned about because if one of them is off I'm assuming that everything will be screwed up

 

[clarkee_04]

bump, what is best to use wood screws or nails?

 

[TMF]

This is what i built for my guys.

It is 5ft tall, 4ft wide, 18in deep. The top cages are 18in tall. The front is plexiglass, and their is a divider in the middle to make it 2 seperate cages (personal preference). The lids are on the top that both open towards the middle on hinges with latches to hold them closed. The tops are also mostly screen but found out afterwards it was to much ventilation and had to cover half with foil. There are 2 lights in each side, one for a red night bulb, the other for just a basic household bulb for lighting. each are controlled by 2 switched, one controls both red bulbs, the other both white bulbs. The bottom of the cage is being used for a shelf but will eventually be turned into my tegu cage with a door on the side. All in all the supplies cost me about $100, maybe a little more but not much. That did not however include the price for the UTH, bulbs, substrate, etc... just the building supplies. any other questions let me know

 

[leegooman2323]

TMF-that is incredible! Your geckos are lucky to have such a caring owner.

 

[reddmann]

TMF-that is incredible! Your geckos are lucky to have such a caring owner.

I agree.

 

[clarkee_04]

very cool!

 

[project1]

heres a shelf system i built( i know stain looks good but reconcider it took 2 months to get it this good) for my beardies and their cages i built for them and 2 leos in a 40gal breeder (which had a beardie in it at the time till my bro could take it to his new place)
its cost about 85 for the rack i built and about 60 per cage i built.

My fav cage i built(there is more to it now just fitting stuff in the cage in this pic)

 

[reddmann]

Very nice

 

[fOOlsgOld]

Project1 how did you build those cages if you don't mind? Those look really cool.

 

[project1]

with that mdf board or i call it partical board there is a site that shows you how to do it with another board and use glass. i just modified this design to what i could find at lowes.
http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/ its pretty easy if you got the tools.