I think I found a Homemade viv Design I like.

I have been looking around at homemade Vivs trying to get an idea on how how I want to build mine in the future months. Well after looking around I saw this one and absalutely love it.

THIS IS NOT MINE! Just what Im going to base mine off of. How ever mine will be diffrent on how the vivs are set up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QopGyy29rbk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yToDAbpuWVM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

I want to have mine set up very similer to this. I like how you can pull out the centers to make the cage bigger. Plan on having about 6 lvls instead of five like he has. Having the bottem 3 lvls be single large chamber for 3 (yearling and up) large snakes then have the 4th lvl have 4-5 chambers for young snakes and possibly other future reptiles. Then have the 5th chamber be a 2 chamber for either younger or small snakes (corns or not) then have the top chamber be a large.

I am still designing this but This is what Im looking at atm. I will try to do a rough sketch in paint or something later to give you a better idea (or just to appease my excitment lol) later.

This will be an ongoing project so it may take me a month or two possibly longer to finish. I just want to get some imput from some of you and what you may think or want to add. I Figured for Heating I would get heat tape and run it accross the back side for the smaller chambers and then for the larger ones run it accross the far left side on each of the bigger chambers.

Which leads me to ask for heat tape should I put a layer of plexiglass accross the tape to help shield the snakes from to much heat? I will be reading up on this but Figured I would ask while Im typing all of this lol. LIke I said this is something I plan on working on for a few months possibly longer ( I hope not but I want to do this right) if needed. Also are there any wood sealers that you would recomend for sealing the wood that will not be harmfull to the snakes/reptiles?

I know I will have to put some money into this which is part of the reasen it will take time lol, Im on a budget so I will be getting things one at a time. Is this a sign that I may be devoloping an addiction?

I dont know if any one will be watching this build or not haha, but if any are I think im going go with these


http://www.lowes.com/pd_240423-61448-35806BLK120D_4294859090_4294937087_?productId=3093197&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Specialty%2BAccent%2BLighting_4294859090_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1%26page%3D2



Here are some rough sketches of my plans so far. Instead of having it standing up im ganna flip it on its side so you can see into all the mini vivs easier which meens I will be putting legs on it to stand it up off the ground. The bottem 2 tanks will problubly going to be built a little diffrently, As we may in the future get a Water Dragon or Bearded Dragon they will be built to run 3 lights so what ever we may get will have the proper lighting. As for the top 4 bigger chambers, they will just have a single light and ground heat for Corn Snakes. Also I plan on having air vents for all of these will be out the back side and will be covered with Screen to keep any small reptiles from escaping.





This is a generic picture to give you an idea on worta what it will look like as far as the position of the windows. I dont have the exact dimension of the windows yet because I need to pick out what kind of trim im going to use for them so i have the size of the trim to use for the final measurement but I will have the windows as big as possible.





Im also thinking about going with heat tape for this application, it looks like it may be cheeper then UTH.



If any one has any suggestions please share Atm Im trying to plan this all out so I know what Im going to need. I do Also plan on using heat tape, and I was going to ask if I run a single strip through the top 4 chambers they should all maintain the same temp correct? Also if I run 1 strip through the entire right bank of the bottom 6 and 1 strip through the entire bank on the left of the bottom six each side SHOULD maintain the same temp as well correct? I ask this because im hoping they should so I can use less Thermostats and save some money. I figured for the bottom ones If I end up putting a lizard in those they will have heat lamps to boost the temp if needed. If i have to on the bottom 2 I could use heat pads (since I already have 1, i could just pick up a second one if I need) instead of the heat tape for the bottom 2.

Any way imput appreciated

those bulbs you are looking at get hot. You will need make something to keep your animals away from them. I did not read your thread though. I just making sure you are aware of them.

O do they? ok, I figured since they were 20 watt maby they wouldnt put off to much heat but Im glad you told me. I want to use LEDs but that depends on if I can find them locally and in my price range. That style (the round low profile) is the type of fixture I would like to use. Something that doesnt take up to much space.

I guess I will start looking at just LEDs on there and see what I can find. Thanks for your reply.

Looks great. Mind if I steal part of the idea? lol. It looks like it would b great. I love the way he had the doors. I plan on starting a build this feb and I plan on using some of that guys ideas.

I found these ones, I just need to find out if they are bright enough.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_290118-30383-LV12017L8_0__?productId=1241399&Ntt=led&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dled%26page%3D2


This isnt LED but this may work also, only problem is to light 10 chambers (4 on top 6 on bottom) It would be very spendy. I Suppose If I have to I could always use regular Light Sockets and build some sort of "cage" around the lightbulb to keep the snakes away from the light and use a Florescent lightbulb. hmmm, this may take some creativity.

Nitelion94 said:

Looks great. Mind if I steal part of the idea? lol. It looks like it would b great. I love the way he had the doors. I plan on starting a build this feb and I plan on using some of that guys ideas.

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I dont care, im stealing some one elses ideas too haha.

Hmm, I may go with these , for 10 it would be $160 for all 10 spaces before shipping, but in the long run may work great for my application.

http://www.outwatercatalogs.com/lg_display.cfm/catalog/2010_master_catalog/page/581/highlight/LED

And being 6500K they should be very close to Sunlight temps.

Also, keep in mind that as you build modeled after that guy's rack (which I agree looks nice), make sure everything fits tight. He specifically says, "there are some gaps back here that are fine for my BPs, but smaller snakes such as corns could get through".

Jessicat,
Ya That was something that I was thinking of also. I dont want any gaps what so ever. I was actually thinkin about going around all the edges with some kind of sylicone or calking to seal any gaps or cracks. It will have the air vents so air shouldnt be a problum but that way any baby snakes cant get out.

I really want to build a big one like I showed above (my design), but I think I may just cut it in half so its 3 large chambers and 2 possibly 3 smaller chambers for younger snakes or smaller animals. My wife doesnt seem to keen on having such a big viv in the house and the amount of money (even though over a long period of time) it will cost to build it haha. So I am thinking it will be half the size of the one I showed, that will still give me enough space for 3 adult snakes and 2-3 smaller animals. I coul always build another one down the road if my addiction needs to grow lol.

It is really big. If you intend to spend the rest of your life in your home I think one that large is alright, but if you ever move it could be a nightmare. I've only started keeping snakes about a year ago, in that time I've had one die, one have digestion problems, one with two months of refused feedings, and one be a complete angel (fingers crossed). I've become determined in this hobby and I love the symbiotic relationship that forms between pet and owner and I am willing to work through these problems. However, many other people have joined this site with their shiny new snakes only to declare they want nothing to do with these snakes the moment a problem occurs.

What I'm saying is plan for the future, but before you throw your entire being into anything decide if this is the right path for yourself and your family.

I only speak words of caution. I think the cabinet is a wonderful idea and someday we'd like something like it.

Dreamsnake said:

It is really big. If you intend to spend the rest of your life in your home I think one that large is alright, but if you ever move it could be a nightmare. I've only started keeping snakes about a year ago, in that time I've had one die, one have digestion problems, one with two months of refused feedings, and one be a complete angel (fingers crossed). I've become determined in this hobby and I love the symbiotic relationship that forms between pet and owner and I am willing to work through these problems. However, many other people have joined this site with their shiny new snakes only to declare they want nothing to do with these snakes the moment a problem occurs.

What I'm saying is plan for the future, but before you throw your entire being into anything decide if this is the right path for yourself and your family.

I only speak words of caution. I think the cabinet is a wonderful idea and someday we'd like something like it.

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I understand what your saying. I have always had alot of pets, I had a dog that had bad hip problems, the vet could not do any thing about it and when he was 13 I had to have him put down. I could not do it myself. My point is When I have a pet I dont just give up on it because of the first problem that comes up. Atm I have a dog that I love, hes a big sweet heart, but im allergic to him, and to top it off I cannot for the life of me house break him (potty trained) and he will go all over the place. I have been working with him for a year now and he just wont stop. But rather than just get rid of him like so many other people would do. I have a dog chain ( I know some people think they are cruel, but he has a run over 40 feet that he has to run) that He goes out during the day time. At night I bring him and and play with him ( I play with him outside too) and I still am attempting to house break him. He is getting better but I still cannot let him run loose in the house at night so He goes into his Kennel. I know of several people that would have or have already been rid of dogs with such problems. I just cant do that. I love him to much even though Im allergic to him and bust out ever time I play with him lol.

My wife doesnt mind the snakes as long as she doesnt have to handle them shes fine. But if she has to she will but I would be the primary one taking care of "them". How ever she loves Lizards and really wants another Water Dragon so not every thing in the viv would be mine. I want to start of with just a few snakes and see how it goes from there. So far I love Seth, he is a really cool animal. Hes docile, active and fun to watch now that he is starting to get use to his new surroundings.

I do appreciate your imput though, I really do so thank you for sharing

Then by all means build this viv and I will follow along and take notes.

Well as soon as I start building it I will start posting pics. Just picture what I posted cut in half from top to bottem. That will be what im going to build.

Now I need to figure out if I want to use heat tape or just pickup 2 more UTH for the 3 large (I have 1 already) bottem chambers. I think im ganna go with those LED lights for the lighting. I problubly wont be able to get the wood for a couple more weeks but As soon as I do I will be taking pictures as I go along.

Well, after researching the cost of the stuff I need I decided not to go that big for now. I have had an old book shelf out in my garage for a while that hasnt been used in years. I busted out the measuring tape and measured the size of the inside of the shelves, they just so happen to have the same exact measurements as the bottem of my 29 gallon fish tank, which my snake still has plenty of room to move around. The Dimensions are 30 inches wide, 12 inches deep and 13-15 inches tall per chamber depending on the chamber since the shelves arnt exactly all the same distance apart.

So For the backing I have some left over tounge and groove flooring from when we did the floors in the living room. So I put together and cut the stuff for the back of it. I am planning on using heat tape then putting down linoleum ontop of the heat tape on the shelf, so the heat tape will be ontop of hte shelf but under the linoleum.

Here is what I have so far, the flooring for the back isnt nailed down just yet but this gives you an idea.









Now I need to get a sheet of plywood that I can cut to the shape for the face then cut out the holes for the windows/doors. After that I will need to order Heat tape, Thermostat, and the LED lights. After the face is on though I plan on taking silicone and sealing every single chamber so there is no way for any snake big or small to end up in some one elses chamber.

Once I get the heat tape and put it in then I will put down the linoleum down but untill then Im not doing that just yet. I think later today I will cut out the linoleum and get them all shaped right so when it comes time it will be a drop in and done thing.

I still plan on building the BIG viv, but it problubly wont be untill next fall. I figure this will allow me to get a few more corns (either yearlings or hatchlings) or other small snakes. I still do plan on making the monster viv come next fall.

If any one has any imput, I would like to hear it.

They claim that this can be used INSIDE of a reptile enclosure so this is what Im looking at using. http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Flexible-Heat-Ropes

I think this will work great for hte way I want to heat each chamber.

that looks great

That looks good. Where do all the cables connect?

Allalaskan said:

Jessicat,
Ya That was something that I was thinking of also. I dont want any gaps what so ever. I was actually thinkin about going around all the edges with some kind of sylicone or calking to seal any gaps or cracks. It will have the air vents so air shouldnt be a problum but that way any baby snakes cant get out..

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Sounds really good! From the pictures it looks like you won't have any gap problems, but if you use silicone make sure to let it cure for awhile. If the silicone is going to be anywhere near your heat source it could emit toxins when it heats up. I'm not sure how it would affect corn snakes, but it seems like it would be better safe than sorry to let it cure for a bit longer than what the instructions say.

Your pictures look great! I'm always inspired and in awe by people who build their own racks. Can't wait to see more pictures, especially when you get to the decoration stage! :cheers:

Dreamsnake said:

That looks good. Where do all the cables connect?

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Its actually like a rope but it heats up, so you can run it any where you want. And it will plug into my thermostat to regulate the temps. I think this way I can lay out exactly how big I want the heat "pad" to be. I was thinking about using some of that aluminum tape to tape down the zone. Has any one used the aluminum tape INSIDE of a viv before? I was also thinking about maby taking a piece of wood and wrapping the cord around a small thin sheet of wood like a 1x6 so it would be about 12 inches long and 5.5 (they are never exactly what they say) wide then running the up one of the corners up into the next chamber. They say in the video its safe to use inside the tank so thats why im leaning towards it. Just a thought, let me know what you guys think.

Im just stuck between the heat rope and the heat tape, I see pro's and cons to both.

I just finished making about 10 new hides (took me a few hours) and atm Im baking them at 300f to sanitize them of any parasites. I will try to get some pics of that in a bit and post them.