Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Great post below. I am not very builder friendly but this looks do able. I do have a couple questions. Do you screw both sides of the plexiglass down? If so how do you open the one side. If not how do you secure the other side down.

Also, I have seen people cut holes in their plexiglass and use screen in the hole. How would you secure that down on the plexiglass, if I went that route. My concern is the lizard touching the lights? Here in Chicago we get cold weather, so I may have to use two heat bulbs.

I am thinking of either 3 ackies or a Sav or BT. Any suggestions.

Thanks again

Jeff
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use screen in the hole. How would you secure that down on the plexiglass, if I went that route.

Rivets are probably the best solution uses a large faced rivet to add better clamping power against the screen.
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

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I too was wondering how to keep that one side of the plexi closed tightly. My local Tractor Supply Company just got a bunch of the 4' troughs in and they are only $70 each, so I'll likely be putting one of those troughs together in a week or so for a pair of my ackies. As far as what monitor to get, I don't really think you can go wrong with a small group of ackies. They are great for those that are new to monitors, much more managable for most people than either savs or albigs. Cheers, Lance

Use a couple of quick clamps from Home Depot to secure the side that isn't screwed down.
I wouldn't cut a hole in the plexi unless you live in a really humid part of the world, you will have too much ventilation.

Thanks for the pic, I figured it was something simple like that, just didn't want to go to the trouble of trying to put latches on the plexi if its not necessary... Thanks, Lance

That is excactly what I am talking about.

How hot do those tubs get. I want to put it in the basement, so I will need to lift it off the ground, or would I?

Thank you.
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

The troughs can get as hot as you want them by adjusting the output of the bulb with the dimmer or using different wattage bulbs. If you are going to put it in your basement you can do as I did and build an insulated base for the trough to sit on. Just some 2x4's, plywood, and foam insulation sheets.

Do you drill extra breathing holes on the cool side?
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

Nope. There are plenty of gaps between the plexi and the top of the trough. Try it, if it doesn't work you can always go back and drill holes.