Southern CA outdoor build diary

[so_cal_ninja650]

So I have started building the outdoor enclosure for my 7mo old B&W. It's not finished yet but here is what I have so far. Most of the materials are what I had laying around my parents and in-laws house.

My plan has changed a bit from when I originally started but these are the dimensions. 8ftLx6.5ftWx7ftH
This the location of where it is. We started to dig out room for the foundation.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

For the foundation we used railroad ties because...well why not? They were just laying around and will help raid the framing off the ground. The are 8ft in length and roughly 4-8in wide. The front end is sticking out about 2.5ft because I will be placing a few steps to get into the enclosure.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

The empty square in the back is where its underground hide will be. I have a 25gal plastic tub that I will place in there and surround it with dirt.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

We started putting up the frame with 2x4s. They were left over pressure treated wood from a balcony my in-laws took down. They're not the best condition but they'll due the job.

 

[Walter1]

We started putting up the frame with 2x4s. They were left over pressure treated wood from a balcony my in-laws took down. They're not the best condition but they'll due the job.

Wow. Shaping up.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

Frame all finished and a better shot of the underground hide. I will be placing wire mesh on top of the foundation and stainless steel wire fencing on top of that.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

Chicken wire going up all the way to the top. Aluminum siding 2ftx2.5ft will placed on the ground level so it can't climb on the chicken wire.

 

[CameronJayBauer]

This is gonna be awesome dude. How come it's so tall?

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

This is gonna be awesome dude. How come it's so tall?

Thanks!
I made it tall that way I can climb in and clean it out without bumping my head haha. Going to have about 1ft of substrate so that leaves 6ft of headroom

 

[Walter1]

Thanks!
I made it tall that way I can climb in and clean it out without bumping my head haha. Going to have about 1ft of substrate so that leaves 6ft of headroom

I like it a lot.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

So here's the update. I finally had time to finish the enclosure. The plan changed from a simple outdoor enclosure to a full on house. I know a lot of you probably don't have the available resources that I had in terms of supplies, but all in all this cost me about $400 from start to finish. That includes all the lumber, hardware, paint, solar panels, and substrate. Here are the next set of photos. This is one large window on the south side of the enclosure which gets the most sun.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

We decided to tear down the chicken wire on the inside since the entire thing will be enclosed in siding. This is the paper going up before the siding.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

A couple shots from a distance after the paper was all done. We started framing out the walls and door with some 1x3's.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

All of the siding was up and the door was completed.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

Got a square yard of mulch from a local place for $15!! You can see all of the aluminum siding on the inside so she can't climb up. I added a step on the outside to make it easier for me to get in and out.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

I introduced her tonight so hopefully she will be happy. She was walking around and exploring then dug underground. I still have to make a hide for her and get a bigger water bowl. Going to add a misting system and the solar panels over the next week when I get time. Temps are ranging from 60 overnight to 90 during day with humidity from 60-80%.

 

[Walter1]

Splendid.

 

[so_cal_ninja650]

Splendid.

Thanks

 

[Walter1]

Thanks

You're very welcome.

 

[CameronJayBauer]

I cant even put it in words... That is simply incredible dedication to your lizard. Much, much respect towards your hard work, it looks outstanding. I assume you're charging the tegu rent for that luxury? XD