Temporary enclosure question

[Dana C]

I just received an adult B&W which after his plane ride and being cold was really groggy. I gave him a nice warm bath and put him in a closet that I prepared with a raised lip and a foot of substrate. He basked for an hour or two and now appears to be down for the winter. The closet is 48'x30" and I think it will be big enough for his long winters sleep.

The real question is the other two. I have a Red girl that was 24" before she started to snooze three days ago and an AA baby, 16" or so that is wide awake Jake. If he doesn't hibernate, I am in a bit of a quandry about an enclosure. I was going to either build one or buy one but with the weather in Idaho being what it is, I can't apply sealants, polyurethanes, etc outside and if I do it inside, even water based stuff produces fumes.
I was thinking that if I bought a 48"x18.5"x24" tank, it would buy me at least 3-4 months. It is an aquarium and could be resold this spring, (at a huge loss).

I would appreciate your thoughts.
Dana

 

[kellen.watkins]

Seal it with drylock masonry paint the stuff is amazing. Its more cost savy to build an adult enclosure. What I'm doing at the moment is I built a 8'x4'x2' and cut it in 2 peices so my extreme and hybrid have a good sized tank ( I have another 8'x3'x2.5' in standby)

 

[Dana C]

Seal it with drylock masonry paint the stuff is amazing. Its more cost savy to build an adult enclosure. What I'm doing at the moment is I built a 8'x4'x2' and cut it in 2 peices so my extreme and hybrid have a good sized tank ( I have another 8'x3'x2.5' in standby)

I looked at Drylock on-line. The web site said it is a masonry / pool sealant. The only problem is that I can't find any stores in Southern Idaho that sell it.

 

[james.w]

Is there not a Home Depot or Lowes in S. Idaho? They should both carry it. It is strong stuff and I would not recommend using it indoors, unless you have a garage.

 

[Piercedcub32]

tanks are way too expensive, I bought a 75 thinking my 2011 would make it until he hibernated in it... He still isn't close to going down, eating like a pig and is out growing the 75 already! I have a 8x4x3 that I built, I just need to figure out how to put the glass front on it. ;o) and ps, he gets out of the tank almost daily!

 

[james.w]

tanks are way too expensive, I bought a 75 thinking my 2011 would make it until he hibernated in it... He still isn't close to going down, eating like a pig and is out growing the 75 already! I have a 8x4x3 that I built, I just need to figure out how to put the glass front on it. ;o) and ps, he gets out of the tank almost daily!

What were you planning on doing with the glass? Are they doors or just for viewing?

 

[Dana C]

tanks are way too expensive, I bought a 75 thinking my 2011 would make it until he hibernated in it... He still isn't close to going down, eating like a pig and is out growing the 75 already! I have a 8x4x3 that I built, I just need to figure out how to put the glass front on it. ;o) and ps, he gets out of the tank almost daily!

What were you planning on doing with the glass? Are they doors or just for viewing?

If you want sliding tempered glass doors, you can buy runners for $4 or less on line. Then all you need is a display case lock, also relatively inexpensive. The other way which I am considering for my perm. cage is to look around for used kitchen cabinets and use the doors and replace the center panels with glass.

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I also am looking at a Zilla xlarge. It is 48x24x18. With my girl down for the count until March or so, it will work for at least four months and then I can sell it. Yes, I know I will lose a lot of money but with winter in Idaho, I can build a set up but with the cold, I can't stain, paint, urethane, seal it or anything else. I am sort of stuck with a tank. This actually is fairly roomy and comes with a screen top, locks and a wiring aperature.
If push comes to shove, I can also use it for a snake.

 

[Rhetoric]

I would check craigslist first for a tank, there are usually some floating around. You may even try posting an ad or seeing if any local reptile shops have any spares. For me, I wouldn't want to spend 100-200+ on a 40-75 gal. I think tempered is the way to go, I haaaate the plexi I have. Its nice that its light but thats it!

 

[Dana C]

I would check craigslist first for a tank, there are usually some floating around. You may even try posting an ad or seeing if any local reptile shops have any spares. For me, I wouldn't want to spend 100-200+ on a 40-75 gal. I think tempered is the way to go, I haaaate the plexi I have. Its nice that its light but thats it!

This Critter Cage is 90 gallons and with a width of 24" it will work for a while. Craigs List in this part of Idaho is fairly meager and Boise is 100+ miles away which adds the driving expense to the equation. Most of the tanks that I have seen that were 48" long were not very wide.