Uromastyx Habitat 1

[Deano75ful]

thank you very helpful

[Deano75ful]

what kind of tracks for the glass doors,what type of grout,and sealer and color would be nice thank you

[AndyMahnFL411]

@Deano75ful - I used aluminum J-molding for the tracks, but don't need to open the glass doors since the top is mostly open and allows easy access to the inside for feeding, cleaning and handling. I believe I used unsanded grout, available at home/hardware stores. The colors (liquid mosaic colorants) are available at art supply/craft stores and I used Mod Podge as the sealer.

[AndyMahnFL411]

@Deano75ful - I got the grey colored grout and added a combination of earth tone colors until I was happy with the result. Of course, when applying the wet grout, figure that it will lighten up in shade when fully dry.

[Deano75ful]

where can i get supplies to make my habitat

[AndyMahnFL411]

@Deano75ful - Depends what supplies you mean - lumber, glass, grout, hardware at a home builder's/DIY store; grout coloring and sealer at a crafts or art supply store; and reptile substrate, decor, lighting, at a pet supply store...

[encovega77]

Thumbs up for for TOOL playing in the background!

[SmogHouseTradingCo]

So you didn't have to use a varnish on the rocks?

[AndyMahnFL411]

@SmogHouseTradingCo - No, no varnish. I used a grout mix with color blended in (numerous layers) and a Mod Podge sealer coating over the dried grout.

[AquariumFriend]

lol its look perfekt for fish

[butterfingerbo]

how do you disinfect the wood so it doesnt harm the reptile??

[AndyMahnFL411]

@butterfingerbo - there is very little wood actually exposed within the enclosure. It is fully covered with the rocky covering which is coated with layers of colored grout. Beneath the sand substrate, there is plywood - which has been sanded smooth and coated with polyurethane, which was given plenty of time to cure and air out.

[butterfingerbo]

DAM



[appleblossom1396]

Wow that's awesome! U hav inspired me for whn I make one whn a get a bearded dragon:) thx so much!!!

[AndyMahnFL411]

@appleblossom1396 - Thanks for the comment!  Let yourself be inspired - you can create the perfect habitat with imagination and effort.

[dreadfulcreation]

blown away, thats awesome

[AndyMahnFL411]

@dreadfulcreation - Thanks for the comment! Glad you like it - it's an awesome habitat and the yellow Saharans that live here now are thriving.

[ImBoone]

how did you install the glass? did you cut a rabbet and silicon?

[AndyMahnFL411]

@ImBoone - The glass doors were intended to be opening/sliding. I used aluminum J-molding for the track for the glass doors. I don't open them - the uros tend to get sand into the tracks anyway. There are tracks specifically designed for the purpose and also wheels/rollers to allow the doors to slide smoothly.

[disneyspalace798]

i like like i want one

[edjorthebeast]

I always ask this, but how would you clean this cage?

[AndyMahnFL411]

@edjorthebeast - The clean-up is simple - remove dried/uneaten plant matter; sift the sand substrate; spot-clean the droppings. Really no big deal and worth the minimal effort.

[MythicalMorphs]

You are the man!

[SloppyJoePro]

Holy shit that looks amazing

[MrTiagoSkater]

awsome! congrats!

[AndyMahnFL411]

Don't know if I will be constructing another similar enclosure any time soon, but there are some very good DIY videos out there to check out.

[CRUNCHnCHOMP]

This would be perfect for an ackie

Could you make a DIY video for the rocks on the back wall

[dcarleenfrick]

that is amazing! a dream terrarium!

[Tunerguy23]

WOW!! like it alot heh i got a CWD n just a juvenile right now but gets bigger im going custom lol not buying a 1000 or 4gran from online..

[phanjonathanm]

I think this is awsome!

[AndyMahnFL411]

Thanks for all the comments; I owe everyone an update video. I would like to capture a clip of the uros but they tend to be skittish and often retreat at the sight of myself or other movement. I may video the enclosure regardless to show how it is set up currently. -Andy

[salmonella4everyone]

i want this enclosure for my bearded dragons! It's amazing!

[klakey]

how about a update on this?

[AndyMahnFL411]

@klakey - Update just posted - check it out!

[AndyMahnFL411]

@SuperJacko11 - Thanks for the comment. I need to put together a good video showing the uros at play. They tend to like to hide out, though so there aren't many filming opportunities.

[AndyMahnFL411]

@21trial21 - I don't think you need a nest box in your viv, but make sure you have hiding spaces. Depending on what you keep, a moist nest box could be beneficial.

[SuperJacko11]

i love the cage, it would be great if you could make a vid showing them in it all completed

[21trial21]

O cool I didn't know that thanks for the info , do you think I need to put one in my viv? :)

[AndyMahnFL411]

@21trial21 - Thanks for the comment. In their natural desert habitats, they live in networks of burrows and tunnels. There is slight humidity within these burrows. Rarely do I spray or mist the soil within the 'nest' box and these guys do spend a lot of time in the box. Very slight humidity does serve as an aid when they shed.

[21trial21]

the only thing is if you try to keep the nest box damp under the basking site it could create lots of unwanted humidity but apart from that mega awesome viv

[AndyMahnFL411]

@nairb19977 - cleaning is pretty simple and not demanding. I remove uneaten salad greens daily and sift the sand maybe once/month.

[nairb19977]

how hard is that to clean?

[AndyMahnFL411]

@ScaryThingsGoRAWR - pretty much did this one as a personal project; too much time and effort to sell...

[AndyMahnFL411]

Thanks for the comments. It was a task- building, cutting, carving, gluing & grouting, but well worth the effort. I'm happy with the result, and hopefully the uros are, too. When they become more active, I'll have to get an updated video of the completed habitat.

[ScaryThingsGoRAWR]

Do you sell tanks??

[DannyIsMexican]

AMAZING! that had to take a lot of work

[ZZincorporated]

That tank is beast! It must have been a pain carving and gluing all those styrafoam rocks though...

[ReyLikesRey]

Awsome

[wildrupp15]

update video? looks pretty cool.

[Yoshi5111sReptiles]

Cool Cage. They will love that cage.

[AndyMahnFL411]

@Yoshi5111sReptiles - Thanks- it has been in use for several months now. Reptilite substrate, and two basking sites- one featuring a MegaRay UV bulb. The two Malis and two Moroccans (all juveniles) seem to like their habitat.

[AndyMahnFL411]

Update: The MegaRay is a great bulb, but did not last very long; I am currently using a 160 watt Solar Glo, in addition to the dual T5 fluorescent tubes and 150 watt basking bulb.