DIY Terrarium

[Tubs]

Hey guys I'm new to the forums but I thought I'd share my completed terrarium! If anyone wants a detailed run-down just let me know and I'd be glad to give anyone the details for the stand, light-box, and custom innards. The light box has fully integrated rheostat built into with the heat tape under the glass on the left hand side of the tank. I used 2 large slate tiles as the substrate (simple to clean and great for heat). The styrofoam pushing up against the bottom of the tank was because the heat tape was sort of sagging down so I couldn't get it heated, and that was my temporary fix, I have now wedged a coat hangar underneath the left support over to the middle support with a cardboard document holder that you would get in the mail as the support for the actual tape and it works great and is invisible! The light box also has a red light switch for viewing. Anyway I'm glad to be apart of the forums now, and sorry about picture quality it was taken with the iPhone

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

That looks very nice. Certainly one of the best DIY I have seen

 

[Tubs]

And here is an updated pic without all the crap hanging down, and a view of the integrated light box goodies. The stick end of the plants aren't usually visible along with the naked styrofoam as its usually against a dresser, so please excuse the mess!

 

[geckogirl3]

do not push
LOL

 

[Tubs]

hehe yeah, I'm an idiot and got the clicker dimmer without thinking, so there is no way in telling if it's on or off until my alarms go off about the temperature dropping! I'm gonna have to fix that some day!

 

[superknoty]

look so Awesome

 

[hamby92]

hey tubs is that a 20gal tank stand? if so would you send the plans to me please?

 

[Tubs]

Actually it's for a 40 gallon breeder. I just used 2x4s, go to lowes and get 8 foot boards for 2 bucks or something. For a 20 gallon just establish a length then base if off that, so the 40 gallon breeder is 36x18. I made it longer than 36 so that it actually sits into the stand for a nicer look and a safety aspect. It's a really simple stand, once you have your measurements I put 3 braces overkill for the weight, but I made it that way so I could put an aquarium in there as 40 gallons of water along with sand and rock would be well over 400lbs. Anyway, and then I did 2 boards per leg again for stability. I'm sorry I don't have exact plans for it, and I'm not home currently to measure it. I hope that helps some!

 

[hamby92]

thanks dude imma have to build one for my tank and stain it like that its way cheaper than buying one

 

[Tubs]

Yup, everything total including stain and screws was like $35, I already had the drill circular saw and all that good stuff. I also have an aluminum track I was going to put on the bottom and top of the inside of the frame to have sliding doors to store stuff under, but that proves harder than I anticipated, and I lost all motivation to stain one more piece of wood:main_thumbsdown:. Maybe someday I'll add the shelves underneath and slide the doors in.

 

[babybird]

I'm jealous! That's a beautiful set-up you have!