Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am currently in the research phase of designing a few large exhibits. The species I am going to be constructing the enclosures for will be adult Sanzinia, adult Timor Pythons, and md. crocodilians. I am interested in in brands of resin for coating wood enclosures, any ideas for murals, water features,and a good source for some of these products. Some of the places I am familiar with are Outwater, Aquatic Ecosystems, but I am interested in places where I can purchase products such as polygem and Zoomix. Also, does anyone have any good ideas for perches, I currently have some Habitat Systems but the perches color wears off real fast and the coating brakes very easily to show the PVC underneath. Also, if anyone has photos of their current vivaria so I can steal ideas that would be great. Also, constructing doors while using glass (I hate Acrylic) and photos of those with wood ot alluminum would be great.Another concern I have is substata and what some people are currently using that is functional, safe, and can resemble natural ecosystems. Thanks in advance,

Peter
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Peter Kriz
Senior Herpetologist
National Aquarium in Baltimore
(410)576-8722/3827
Sua Sponte

Peter,

Years ago I made several medium sized arboreal exhibts for a zoo. They had underwater viewing and rockwork. I also made one room sized exhibit (10'x10') for small crocodilians with a large concrete pond. The medium exhibits were plywood and the room sized exhibit was concrete block.

The plywood was sealed with a two-part epoxy paint made for pools. I picked it up at a local Diamond Vogel dealer. I then built all of my perches and rockwork from concrete I blended myself.

Unfortunately I am far removed from this field and can't really suggest any suppliers for the products you are looking for. But let me know if you have any further questions.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Chris,

Thanks, do you have any pics of those I would be very interested. If they are large you can send them to my e-mail address which is krizzoo@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Peter

I sure don't. A friend of mine made a large portfolio of the building for me and I lost it along with a large herpetology library in a flood in 2003. The zoo has since closed and the building was gutted and made into a storage building for the city so there is no way for me to go back and take more.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Hello Peter,

I find it rather odd that you post questions here, as I *thought* many vive techniques in common use were used at NAB...

I'm currently building my 2nd small vive (60gal) for dart frogs, but I do a *LOT* of reading and research.

West systems epoxy is used in wooden boat construction, and has been accepted as being safe for animals once fully cured.

Hardscape and naturalistic decor can be accomplished with great stuff expanding foam, or other types of foam for a basic shape, then covered in a type of cement which can be sculpted and painted with acrylic paints to look like natural rock.

shaped Greatstuff smeared with black or brown silicon with dry coco fiber pressed into it is suitable for more tropical jungle look instead.

I didnt pay attention to the details of the concrete method, as it isnt my personal choice, but do a search on "dendroboard.com" and you should find a number of vive construction threads which cover it's use. It is not normal concrete- it's a type of concrete crack repair product available at most hardware stores. Considering the size/type/weight of the animals of your exhibit, a decent layer of this concrete method for strength would be the way to go. Pay close attention to the details regarding neutralizing the PH of the concrete though. If it's safe for amphibs, doing it right for more "hardy" reptiles shouldnt be an issue.

regards,
Postal