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Invalid User
account deleted on request
277 Posts |
 Posted - 08/02/2011 : 15:39:49
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Just wondered what you keep your adult/big brbs in.
My baby is in a rub now and will be for a while but late I would like her to go into a viv.
Is there a way you can use a normal wooden viv and still have a damp/humid area or it is impossible due to the wood warping and a glass tank is the only option?
Any pics would be great to.
Thanks. |
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Mez
New Member
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2011 : 17:00:07
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Wooden vivs can be lined with Fablon (sticky back plastic).
This is best done with the viv dismantled so that the entire surface of the wood can be covered.
Once assembled the joints & any holes (for cables, vents, screws etc) will need to be sealed with silicone aquarium sealant.
A more expensive alternative would be to line the interior of the viv with perspex/acrylic sheets, which would again require the joints sealing with silicone. See here |
1.0.0 PH Anery BRB
1.0.0 Ultramel Lavender Corn (now back from his holidays behind the skirting boards)
1.0.0 Normal Royal Python
0.1.0 Bolivian "Silverback" Amarali BCA
0.0.5 Crested Geckos
3.1.0 Working cocker spaniels
1.1.0 Cats
4.11.0 Rats
3.0.0 Guinea pigs
0.3.0 Sabelpoot bantams |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2011 : 17:05:09
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Hi Louise! Here are a few notes to get you started:
Materials
Wood is tough, but can be done. It just has to be sealed to protect the wood against moisture, and the sealant has to be properly selected and cured. There are specialist manufacturers out there that make such cages. Wood, however, even when sealed, makes for a *heavy* enclosure, and is often fairly pricey.
Glass poses a different type of challenge, mainly temperature control. Many of the top breeders in the US counsel against it due to this issue, as well as the prevalent "screen top" that seems to accompany such enclosures. They are still fairly heavy cages, and can break more easily than wood or plastic cages.
Plastic is a solid and well-liked choice: it retains humidity well, does not pose the thermal issues that glass does, and is often very light to boot -- which means, among other things, that these cages stack well. There are scads of manufacturers that produce plastic enclosures, but among them Animal Plastics and Boaphile are often cited as especially strong (one breeder I know also ordered from Reptiracks).
Door
One item you will want to consider is where the cage access is placed, and how it opens. I tend to prefer side doors, and am increasingly happy with ones that swing up or down as one piece. The sliding ones tend to be harder to clean, as you can’t reach the whole enclosure at once.
Size
The minimum recommend size to house an adult Brazilian would be 36" long x 24" wide x 12" tall.
I hope this helps, |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 08/02/2011 17:06:17 |
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martinking6
Hatchling
United Kingdom
152 Posts |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2011 : 22:08:45
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Looking at the specs, these would be my worries:
1. Made of wood. Even if sealed against moisture -- and make *sure* it is -- the viv will be very heavy
2. Has vents. Brazilians do best with limited ventilation, and the space around the doors can usually provide that. Remember, you want to keep that humidity *inside*, not have it bleed into the room
3. Doors are slide-style. These can be pain for cleaning, as the tracks can get dirty, and you have to adjust drawers multiple times to clean the whole viv
4. Vivs are high. This will only be a concern for those with limited space. While baby rainbows will climb, adults rarely do. As such, the extra height effectively uses up space that will rarely be used by the animal
5. Lighting included. This is something you may not use too much with a Brazilian, but still drives the cost up
Some of these he may be able to correct if made from scratch; however, that may effect the price.
As for the heating question: I would be wary about placing a mat inside. Have you looked at radiant heat panels? Those are pricier, but may may be perfect for a wooden viv.
Good luck, |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 28/02/2011 22:17:05 |
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Housing for adult brb
