Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Enclosure idea.

Ok… Ill try to attach a picture or at least link to it…

Click Here!

The picture is hand drawn.

My ideas are abstract (so far) but here goes.

Upright enclosure, wooden, about 4 feet tall, about 2 feet wide and about 18 inches deep. Stained (to match woodwork in our house) on the outside, and epoxy painted (greens and some brown – maybe even “sponge painted” with different leaf sizes and patterns) to have a natural tree-like look.

I would put a fixed window (Plexiglas) on the front with ventilation holes on the top 1/3 for ventilation and access from both sides (using Plexiglas as doors – also ventilated on the top 1/3) – reason for the top 1/3 only is that (in theory?) the humidity would be greater down at the bottom of the enclosure.

I would run 2 florescent UV bulbs in the front corners (hidden and lighting towards the back of the tank) so when you looked into the tank, it would be nice and bright, yet you would get very little glare.

In the very top of the back (or maybe sides – above the doors) I would put 2 small “built-in” planter boxes for hanging plants to grow from.

The top would be a metallic mesh and a basking light would be up there. My picture shows that area enclosed, but I wonder about heat build up in there with a basking light enclosed like that.

Well, that’s my basic idea(s) – feel free to criticize!

David

Sounds like a pretty good set of plans. The picture didn't work for me so I can only see in my imagination. As for the basking light area, I wouldn't recommend it unless you live in a VERY cold house. Typical household temperatures work great for MHD's, 78-82 during the day, and high 60's to low 70's at night. If your house falls in that area you won't need any heat lights. They don't need basking since they live under the rainforest canopy in the wild, but UVB is highly recomended still. I use 1 24" repti-sun 5.0 UVB flour bulb in my wood enclosure, and 2 in my large enclosure and they have worked great for me and kept the tank at good temps throughout the year. I would also highly suggest waterproofing the inside of the tank (maybe before you paint so it won't ruin any paint job you do) and line the bottom and up about 5" with 5 mil plastic sheeting. I used fiberglass resin for waterproofing and the plastic liner at the bottom and haven't had any problems with it.

Also, how many MHD's to you plan on keeping in this enclosure?
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Joe
joebradbury@attbi.com
aim and yahoo messenger - UTDstud18

Joe... I was thinking only 1 Dragon... but again.. I am on the learning curve, so that may change... Artic tundra of Minnesota here... but, my house usually falls in that range... if its off, it's only off by 1 or 2 degrees 1 way or the other.

I am glad to hear about not needing a basking light - I can use the top area as storage, or (what I thought would be really neat) space for a "fogger" - then the humid fog would roll down thru the "canopy". I would put it on a timer so that it would not run all the time. That way I could control the humidity a little better.

David.

(Can you tell me if they work better in singles or in pairs/trios?)

Thanks again.
David

Also... Joe, try this LINK

Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row so to speak. It is always more fun to help someone who is trying to learn and set up in preparation for a MHD than it is to try to explain to someone who doesn't want to encounter a vet bill, how to care for these guys. If you go into this with a good knowledge first your chances for success are much better.

I like the fogger idea. I did use one for a while but it died on me. It was a cheapie so I recommend getting a good one. I don't recall where, think it was big apple herps, but there is one that you can get replacement parts and the cost is reasonable.

I keep all of my males as individuals but find that a male and any number of females can be kept together with little trouble. The only concern when you have multiple animals in a viv is that you have to make sure that they all get adequate food. If one is submissive and the others are more dominating the submissive animal could starve.

I am in central So Dakota and have never used heat in my reptile room even in the winter. In fact, I have to close the heat vent in their room or it gets too hot in the winter. I have been breeding these guys for a few years now and have had no problems with temps. The only time I use added heat is with hatchlings if they seem to be too sluggish. The babies I have now are little piggies. They could run me out of mealies at the rate they are eating!

So, good luck, if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. Good to have you on board!

Oh, and your link in the next post doesn't seem to work

Marcia
FroggieB Dragons