Morcs Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 This thread will be my log. It will be housing a baby beardie for a friend for a while whilst they are overseas, then hopefully get my hands on a baby blue tongue My tank is being made today, a 1200x450x450 with front sliding doors thanks to Greg at Tanks2u, picking up tuesday night. Decided to make a 'stand' today. Couldnt find a cheap coffee table in the right dimensions. I liked the idea of having the tank close to the floor, so a very simple stand made from a 10mm ply sheet, and some sections of 45x45mm timber. Next up was my basking platform. I liked the idea of using a tile, so got a 305x305mm floor tile. In black. should heat up nicely meaning i can use a lower wattage heat bulb. Had trouble wondering how to raise it, decided that pvc tubing cut into 9cm sections would suffice, making it a good distance from the lamp, and providing a 'cave' underneath. For the 'substrate' im going to try the artificial turf stuff. looks good, and easy to clean (pull out, hose off) Will post more pics once the tank is here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 May want a cave/shelter down the cool end as well. Otherwise looking good, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 those dumbbells might be abit to heavy for your dragon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 I'm sure he only means him to use one set at a time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 May want a cave/shelter down the cool end as well. Otherwise looking good, Yep, havent started thinking about the cool end yet! going to see how it looks with the current bits in, and then decide what to do with the rest and got to figure out what to use so he can actually get up onto the basking tile, probably a piece of driftwood. What wattage heatlamp do you think id be able to get away with? Tank is 45 tall, basking area is 9cm off the ground, and bulb would probably hang inside the top corner, meaning a distance of around 25cm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 I like your idea regarding the dark tile...so simple but it really does work Play around with the wattage of bulbs to get desired temp. Or use a thermostat. Im guessing a 40 or 60watt spotlight should suffice. Bunnings has all sorts of spotlights of different wattage, and even the same wattage but different sized bulbs. I use a 25watt for youngsters but their bulbs are closer to the basking rock/tile as appose to my older dragons. 40 to 60 watt for adults even upto 100watt depending on setup/time of year. 100watt+ bulbs really need a cage/guard. As the risk of burning the lizard increases etc. Doesnt hurt to have one for lower wattage bulbs too, but ive never had a problem. Only once had a minor burn and that was from a 150watt emitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 I like your idea regarding the dark tile...so simple but it really does work Play around with the wattage of bulbs to get desired temp. Or use a thermostat. Im guessing a 40 or 60watt spotlight should suffice. Bunnings has all sorts of spotlights of different wattage, and even the same wattage but different sized bulbs. I use a 25watt for youngsters but their bulbs are closer to the basking rock/tile as appose to my older dragons. 40 to 60 watt for adults even upto 100watt depending on setup/time of year. 100watt+ bulbs really need a cage/guard. As the risk of burning the lizard increases etc. Doesnt hurt to have one for lower wattage bulbs too, but ive never had a problem. Only once had a minor burn and that was from a 150watt emitter. Cheers, so any spotlight type bulb will suffice? that would be good, would definately be able to play around with different wattages as they are cheap. I had a heart attack even at my staff-buy price on a exo terra heat bulb today. Ill probably go with the ceramic bulb holder too though. For UV, going to use my aquariums 90cm T8 light hood running a 30W UV10.0 across the length of the tank, overkill in the size of light or UV rating? Thanks for your input, im still learning about reptiles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 Me 2, learning more every day. Which makes it such a great hobby to be part of. By no means an expert though, just a bit bonkers Um in regards to bulbs, mystic made a valid point recently that some bulbs are rated more so for been on full time, something like that? I suspect you get what you pay for with the exo terra and the likes. I personally find just any old spotlight ok. Definitely want a ceramic holder. UV sounds good, i wouldnt put in any more but thats just me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Update! Picked up the terrarium last night. threw the basking tile, grass and some random logs in just for now. Went to mitre 10. Spent a whole $13 on 3 different wattage bulbs (40,60,100) and some mesh. When my dual probe thermometer comes in ill play around with the different bulbs as suggested. Got a ceramic holder and cage from work today too, just got to figure out how to mount it, and the mesh top. More pics coming soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 looking good so far! how big is this beardie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 looking good so far! how big is this beardie? Beardie is like 2 months old. Will probably just go and get a bluey or two as soon as its setup fully :lol: ... ill worry about the beardie nearer the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 I want a BT too! It is awesome to watch them eating an egg (as in chuck an egg in the tank and watch them destroy it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilenutt Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 My do that to snails ...just love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 i made the mesh top by sandwiching mesh between 2 layers of MDF both with a window cut out, top layer extends over the gap bottom layer fits inside the gap and screwed together then polyurethaned or painted to make waterproof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Im having trouble figuring the best way to have the heat lamp unit mounted due to the way the tank is constructed. ive got metal bracket things which i can kinda bend (though they are very thick and not very workable) but still cant get it mounted how id like. Thinking yes a thin ply top, varnished, with a cutout with a ventilation window on the cooler side, and the heat lamp screwed under the other side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Making a lid. Bought some mdf (in hindsight, ply wouldve been much better!) Cut sections of the mdf for a frame, the glued the mesh on. The lid is a perfect fit onto the open area of the tank. Now the glue holding the frame together has cured, i can flip it over to make some nice edging to reinforce it, and sandwich the mesh. When construction is done I shall be sanding away the excess glue, and varnishing with a mahogany coloured woodstain And then i can mount my heatlamp, and my aquarium is being emptied today so I can pinch my light unit for this Next pictures should be of a 95% finished terrarium, still got to pay for a UV tube, and wait for my ordered bits to come in (bowls etc...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Through the lid in the bin. Didnt turn out to the standard id hoped. going for an open top, and just cut a piece of MDF to span the tank to bolt the heat lamp onto. Have begun temp trials. the basking area has warmed up and the temp is sat around 34-35. the max for BTs from reading is 35, so ill leave it on for a few more hours and see how it goes. Thats with a 60w spotlight, tomorrow will trial the 40w. definately wont need the 100w that i bought. Stand is currently in the garage after a few coats of woodstain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Finished Picked up some more bits from work today, UV tube, bowls, dual probe thermometer, calcium and vitamin supplments, tongs etc 60W spot is the light of choice for heat. directly under the lamp it heats to 35C, just trialling now to see what the temp gradient comes out like at either end of the tank. Going to run a 12hr heat period, and a 10hr light period (30w UV tube) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phrog Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Looks very nice. I am following this build log with interest as I am looking to buy a BT as well. If you don't mind me asking, how much was all the equip. etc (except BT) to set up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 can you use those nice wood chips (like in gardens) instead, or is that bad for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 can you use those nice wood chips (like in gardens) instead, or is that bad for them? You can, as BTs looooove to burrow apparently. But like sand etc.. it can be quite messy. the astroturf i will just pull out, and blast with a hose... Total cost at retail value, less than $600 I already had the logs and light hood, but ontop of that its cost me less than $400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 + $90 from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted March 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 + $90 from me Chur! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEE Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 it's going good morcs when do you get the lizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 23, 2010 Report Share Posted March 23, 2010 Nice tidy tank perfect for feeding live foods can you use those nice wood chips (like in gardens) instead, or is that bad for them? You can and it does look a bit more natural, but i found it got stinky. Take out the solids and completely replace every month or so and should be ok, seems to be used alot for blue tongues. Bark or the wood chips. But not so good for feeding live foods and maybe a small risk of impaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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