Can Fibreboard be used to construct a wooden vivarium?

[Poly]

I've been dying to get my two american toads a larger tank than their current 25 gallon (it seems to small for them; there very active), so I was planning on purchasing them a 55 gallon, but after pricing one out, I figured I can make a much larger one for half the price!

This is the thread that gave me the idea to make them a a wooden vivarium:

http://www.frogforum.net/off-topic/6...vivariums.html (Post #7)

I don't feel like paying 50$ for a 4x8 sheet of 5/8" plywood, so I was wondering if you can apply all the same techniques (make the box, stain it inside, paint over it with fibreglass resin, seal it, etc.) to fibreboard?

These 4x8 (well not exactly 4x8 but "49" x 97" ) sheets of 3/4" fibreboard are around 15$ and just as strong as the plywood, plus if you use fibreboard screws, they won't split the wood, something that is hard to do with plywood as it splits eaisly.

UltraStock | Medium Density Fibreboard - 3/4 x 49 x 97 | Home Depot Canada

I wanted to use "Conti-Board" but I can't find any place around me that sells it, and from what I've heard, it's just fibreboard with a "laminated" type covering?

This is how I'll be making it: Except I plan to make it 4' wide x 4' long x 2' tall, and have a latching mesh front door, rather than glass.

Custom built vivarium - Do It Yourself vivarium guide

Thanks!

~Royce

[MikeM670]

I have used MDF for many projects around the house. Here are some of my observations about MDF. They are not in any order of importance.

1. Great for when you need a smooth surface.
2. Will swell if the surface is not sealed. This would ruin not only the look but possibly cause your system to leak at joints if the swelling occurrences at or near these locations.
3.Heavy! 3/4 inch stuff is really heavy!!
4. I think you could seal it with epoxy and if you use mesh on the joints that would keep them from having issues.
5. The outside of the case will not look good unless you just paint it or laminate it. That is where a good sheet of plywood like birch or oak really comes into its own.
6. I think plywood would be much stronger.

[DonLisk]

I'm not a fan myself of MDF or even plywood for creating a water/moisture tight enclosure. Yes, definitely can be done but a tank from Petco on the dollar a gallon sales to me is a much better alternative. There are even deals on Craigslist all the time for 55 gallon tanks at a steal.

A 40 gallon Breeder tank at 40 bucks if in stock when Petco has the sales ..... great tank to build with.

Something to think about.
Like Mike stated, can be done but do it right.

[Poly]

I'm not a fan myself of MDF or even plywood for creating a water/moisture tight enclosure. Yes, definitely can be done but a tank from Petco on the dollar a gallon sales to me is a much better alternative. There are even deals on Craigslist all the time for 55 gallon tanks at a steal.

A 40 gallon Breeder tank at 40 bucks if in stock when Petco has the sales ..... great tank to build with.

Something to think about.
Like Mike stated, can be done but do it right.

Well, were I live, there are practically no delas on aquariums, and no such thing as "dollar a gallon" sale at my local pet stores... more like 5-8$ per gallon.

I plan to seal the fibreboard with 3-4 heavy coats of fibreglass resin, then use GE II silicone where the boards meet. I was also thinking of attaching vapor barrier to the bottom for extra protection. So, to be honest, I'm not too worried about leakage, do you think the resin, silicone and vapor barrier will be enough though?

As for it's exterior, the boards looked pretty smooth, so I had planned on staining them. Would I be better off painting them?

Thanks for the quick replies I appreciate it!

[kueluck]

If you have thrift stores, Goodwill, Salavation Army type places give it a few days. This is the time of year people turn in their stuff for tax deductions........but then I'm not sure what Canada has for non-profit donations. It's a shame you can't take a road trip to the US.

[Poly]

If you have thrift stores, Goodwill, Salavation Army type places give it a few days. This is the time of year people turn in their stuff for tax deductions........but then I'm not sure what Canada has for non-profit donations. It's a shame you can't take a road trip to the US.

I'm not too sure either. There is a few thrift stores around where I live, but many people would rather go through the hassle of selling their old tanks online, then to "donate" them.

[Poly]

I'm not a fan myself of MDF or even plywood for creating a water/moisture tight enclosure. Yes, definitely can be done but a tank from Petco on the dollar a gallon sales to me is a much better alternative. There are even deals on Craigslist all the time for 55 gallon tanks at a steal.

A 40 gallon Breeder tank at 40 bucks if in stock when Petco has the sales ..... great tank to build with.

Something to think about.
Like Mike stated, can be done but do it right.

Oh, and I had also planned on filling any gaps (and using it along the inside bottom edges/joints that will be covered with the substrate) with Great Stuff. I might make a simple background on all three sides, but I first have to make sure great stuff with stick to the hardened resin.

[MikeM670]

Well, were I live, there are practically no delas on aquariums, and no such thing as "dollar a gallon" sale at my local pet stores... more like 5-8$ per gallon.

I plan to seal the fibreboard with 3-4 heavy coats of fibreglass resin, then use GE II silicone where the boards meet. I was also thinking of attaching vapor barrier to the bottom for extra protection. So, to be honest, I'm not too worried about leakage, do you think the resin, silicone and vapor barrier will be enough though?

As for it's exterior, the boards looked pretty smooth, so I had planned on staining them. Would I be better off painting them?

Thanks for the quick replies I appreciate it!

I don't think MDF stains very well. You would be better off painting it. Two or three coats should do the trick. For the wood joints I would use a fiberglass mesh pushed into the corners and epoxied. I would worry about possible shifting if this was not done.

[Poly]

I don't think MDF stains very well. You would be better off painting it. Two or three coats should do the trick. For the wood joints I would use a fiberglass mesh pushed into the corners and epoxied. I would worry about possible shifting if this was not done.

Thanks Mike!

Well for reinforcement I planned on using a couple of these:

Simpson Strong-Tie | Z-Max 2 Inch x 3 Inch Angle | Home Depot Canada

Don't think I'll have to worry about shifting with those in there.

Hmm, I wonder what colour would be suitable for the interior and exterior?

[MikeM670]

Thanks Mike!

Well for reinforcement I planned on using a couple of these:

Simpson Strong-Tie | Z-Max 2 Inch x 3 Inch Angle****************** | Home Depot Canada

Don't think I'll have to worry about shifting with those in there.

Hmm, I wonder what colour would be suitable for the interior and exterior?

I would still recommend using the mesh inside the tank at all joints where you apply the epoxy. It will help with the epoxy application in these locations. It won't cost much more and won't take that much longer to apply.

[Poly]

I would still recommend using the mesh inside the tank at all joints where you apply the epoxy. It will help with the epoxy application in these locations. It won't cost much more and won't take that much longer to apply.

The mesh & resin will no longer be needed... I've got an idea on how to make the tank using:

-1 16ft 2x4

-3 4x8 sheets of 1/4" pine plywood

-1 gallon pail of mixed stain/varnish/water proofing (I was glad when I found out I could stain and waterproof it in one coat)

And of course silicone, spray foam, a single strip 48" flourescent light fixture & 48" GE 6500K light, and a lot of substrate!

I'm going to get all the materials after lunch today, so I'll keep you guys updated.

With my slight change of plans, the tank will now be 5'-2/3" long x 4'-3/4" wide x 2' tall... My toads won't know what to do with all the room

[DonLisk]

Wow, thats going to be a nice sized enclosure :-) Can't wait to see pics as your building this.

[Poly]

Wow, thats going to be a nice sized enclosure :-) Can't wait to see pics as your building this.

AND I can't wait to build it! Yeah, well I notived my toads are quite active, and they don't have much room in their current enclosure, so I figured it's time I make them a larger one. They'll be going from 25 gallons to roughly 310 gallons....

[DonLisk]

Big move! I almost broke down and picked up a used tank today. It was a 45 or 49 gallon square tank (actually taller than width and depth) and I would have had to have someone hold my feet to reach into to get to the bottom. Sweet deal but nowhere to put it :-(

[MikeM670]

And that stopped you!

[DonLisk]

Thanks Mike, as I am probably driving the 45 minutes back there in the morning for it :-)

[Poly]

Thanks Mike, as I am probably driving the 45 minutes back there in the morning for it :-)

Haha! Probably will cost more in gas, considering the prices nowadays!

I picked up the wood this morning, decided to go with 3/8" Spruce, thing is "Wood Stain" takes 30 days to fully cure, and I can't keep the wood stove in my garage going for that long, so may have to stain it in the house...

As of now, the sides and top are currently under construction....