Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well folks, it's been nearly one year, and I am finally completing the project that I started. Everyone has seen pics of my home-grown terrarium that was frankensteined from the salvage yards, scrap heaps, and engineered together to actually create a functioning environment for my tinctorius.

Now, the cosmetics are finally coming to an end. This is a picture of my cabinet base for my 50+ gallon monstrosity, and as you can see, there are three 7.5 gallon terrariums lined up on the shelf underneath where the big terrarium will sit. The base was constructed from a melamine carcass I picked up when the local J.C. Penny's went out of business, and I used white oak plywood for the panels, with solid oak styles, rails, and trim to finish it off. The interior of the cabinet is outfitted with three 40 watt CF bulbs for the 3 smaller terraria inside the cabinet. Below that is storage for cultures (FF, springtail, flour beetle), and the various sundries that my wife would prefer to imagine do not exist.

I will post pics when the terrarium is mounted on top and trimmed out with crown molding. Right now, I'm waiting to put on a few more coats of spar varnish.

Let me know what you tink.

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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Nice cabinet, I am getting ready to build a new stand myself. Hoping to clean out my basement today.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

How did the basement cleaning go? If you're like me, it took twice as long as you imagined. I'll be waiting to see how your stand turns out . . . you definitely do things well when you put your mind to it.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Damn Homer...that looks professional. I am impressed.
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Matt

Thats a really nice stand! Although im more of a oak person then cherry (if i am right about the finish). But it does look very profesional!

I really need a aquarium stand bad! Im using a old computer desk that isnt the sturdiest around. Petsmart has some cool stands for like $140-$200. I would buy one but I might get laid off here in a week or so, so im not going to buy it until im sure.

Or, i could brib homer to make me one instead

aj
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kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

You can build one that comapres to the store bought ones for about $30-100 depending on the size.

For most tanks you just build a 2x4 frame then cover it in plywood or something nicer if you like.
I built this one and other than the door is looks good. I plan to redo the door at some point, but for now it is fine. I am getting ready to build a new stand here over the next week or so, for 2 tanks.

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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

When all is said and done, I think I probably sank $60 in materials on this one . . . probably $100 worth if you count the rough cut oak I had on hand. In my mind, however, it is well worth the extra money and time for what I got. After all, making this terrarium a furniture grade piece was part of the deal with my wife in being able to have frogs.

However, I've got to agree with Kyle that you can have a nice cabinet (like his) with some elbow grease, a power drill, and a circular saw for about $30-$60 . . . and it will be much better than most sold for 3-4x that amount in pet stores.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I know, im a do it yourself type of guy, but for some reason i just dont want to screw with it. Im not really good at wood, I made the canopy for mine and its okay. It defeninatly could have been better.

I saw today they had a nice oak stand for $140, that they said should be marked down to $100 in a couple weeks.

aj
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Here is my new image hosting site! I have made it Bigger, Stronger, Faster!
kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

That cabinet is da bom! Nice.

Thanks! It's been quite a while in the planning stage, and construction took some time, but I really like it. More importantly, my wife likes it. That means I get to keep my frogs!
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Well homer, According to the "Homer Gone Wild!" thread (available on tape or dvd for 9.99) I dont think the cabinet is the only reason you get to keep them

aj
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Here is my new image hosting site! I have made it Bigger, Stronger, Faster!
kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

Yeah, the finish is definitely a personal decision for everyone. For me, it wasn't a difficult one, as this color perfectly matches the entertainment cabinet we bought when we moved into the house. I did my best to copy the style as well.

Anyway, the color is officially "red oak" by Minwax, but I must agree that it's pretty close to cherry. I am also planning on placing an opening door on the very bottom. It will open down, and will only cover up the storage compartment below the tank stands. I am using hidden hinges for that, and I found a really neat little door pull in the shape of a leaping frog to use for the handle. This has definitely been a lot of fun, but certainly a good deal of work as well.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Aw, Matt, you're making me blush! I really appreciate the compliment.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense