Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was looking at the 8 by 4 plywood sheets and am wondering which type would be recommended for a water dragon enclosure

There really are no specific concerns that apply to Water Dragons vs. other species of herps. It really boils down to whether you're more concerned with budget or looks.

Personally, I think the upcharge for birch laminated plywood is well worth its benefits (generally light weight for plywood, smooth on two sides, tends to be pretty straight).

I have a water dragon who is 10months old, I am building him a new cage and could use any ideas. I am also using plywood, and i am thinkin going with either sliding glass doors or framed hinged doors. I also want to incorporate a pond and land area. I have no idea where to start, especially when it comes to making the plywood water proof. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm also starting to build my enclosure, I have the base done and can hopefully go to home depot so I can finish the rest. the inside measurements will be 6.5 by 3.5 by 6. But here's where I have been getting my ideas from:

greenigsociety.org,

they have good info about building large enclosures;

http://www.javafx.com/personal/dragons/,

that man has a website showing how he built his out of plywood and plaster coated with water-proofing, he has a pond with three waterfalls all made out of wood coated with plaster and water-proofing. I tried to ask him some questions but didn't get an answer.

humidifier

I found some info on how to build a humidifier, I have been told it works better than all the misters and foggers and everything. I have some pics that I can show you if you need them. you can go to walmart and buy an ultrasonic humidifier. there is a round cap 2" in diameter, when u take that out go to home depot, u will need to get a pvc piece, a flush bushing, to insert into the 2" hole. it will convert to 2" dia. into a 1" dia. then you would have to run a 1" pvc pipe up and over the cage, and using t-joints you can put them every foot or so along the pipe, which will direct the mist into the enclosure.

www.wargamerz.com, he has some very nice pics of a green house encl.

for lighting I will use 2 powersun bulbs

So ima try that out and see wzup

Thank you so much, you have been a great source of help. Please keep me informed as you progress with your enclosure, and I will keep you informed. What are you going to use to seal your plywood? Send those pictures also if you get a chance.

Thank you very much
Swippersmom

yeah, i made it to home depot today, so i got all the wood and polyurethane insulation that i'll need. what i plan on doing is shaping the walls with wood scraps, and tacking 1/4 in hardware cloth onto it. then i will use a plaster called Fix-All, then i am going to use four different layers of waterproofing, starting with an epoxy coat, then two coats of an elastomeric paint and then a final coat of epoxy called Enviro-Tex.

i have a frame of 2 x 4s and 4 x4 legs. i just took the base apart and started glueing them to my 3/4 in plywood because the 2 x 4s aren't exactly straight. so when it drys i'll screw the plywood on. i am using 2 3/4 in plywood for the base, that should give it strength and i'll sink a pool into that. that's what i found out at the java site and it sounds good to me. if you send me your e-mail add i can send u the pics of the humidifier and some sketches

i'll holla

Thank you, you just answered the next question I had for you, (which paint do I start with.) Is it better to screw the plywood on or will tacking it be okay. My email address is bw_ysgc2003@yahoo.com. I really appreciate all the help. How much was the material. I also went to Lowe's last night and priced the stuff i would need. I am looking at around $100.00, which i don't think was bad at all. I am hoping that it won't take me 12 monhts to construct it though. How long do you think it is going to take you? I am going to start on it this weekend. Instead of the drop pool, I am going to use one of those preformed ponds like in the greenhouse link you sent me. I am not to confident I know how to do a raised base, and have enough support in it.

Thanks a bunch
Swipper's mom