Vertical Conversion of “Zilla Critter Keeper” for tree frogs

[flybyferns]

This will house “Boggie Smalls” a 2 ½ year old female Agalychnis moreletii.
When turned vertically , the dimensions will be 36 “ high X 18” wide X 17” deep
Started with this:
Zilla Critter Cages 40g Terrarium 36X18X17



Note: this enclosure is designed to be used horizontally. The lid slides on - over a track type rim. Therefore, a commonly used conversion front cannot be used because of the way he rim is designed.

A hole has been drilled in what will now be the top

Pics drill hole

I have created ( made by the glass guy) a little cover with a slot to pass the cords, mist tubing and temp/humidity probe through.


I will be diverting the mist king tubing and mist with a double mist head. The ceiling of the tank has been created to suspend lots of pothos ( for climbing/ sleeping) and to hang the mist king head.

Two pieces of glass are attached to the front using silicone on the inside of the screen- leaving an area for ventilation about 4 ½ “ below the top.

The top piece of glass is about 4 ½ inches wide – to keep the mist spray in.
Then the bottom piece of glass covers about 20” of the bottom of the screen.
The edges of the glass have been sanded smooth to prevent injuries to “Boggie’s " very delicate girly skin.
I have removed the ( factory) closure from the lid. I don’t like how it closes. Too noisy ! As a result this leaves a little ¼ opening on the right side. I am making a new closure from plastic trim and painting it black.



Bottom left. The lid does not close tightly enough against the rim ---setting up a perfect place for the crickets to escape ! Solution: a 3” high piece of plexi to keep them IN the feeding area.





It will have a “froggy spa” like my other enclosure- which is a heated , filtered, cover area of water for froggy soaking.




Can’t teach old frogs new tricks! She has been soaking this way since I have had her!
Like my other enclosure the water will be covered with a piece of plexi. The water pools over the top creating a shallow – clean- area for soaking. The water is heated ( 76 degrees F) w/ a small aquarium heater and filtered with a small aquarium filter.



The feeding area will be in the front/bottom of the enclosure.

I have decided to silicone my planters to the sides of the glass. So far so good. I think they will be easy to clean around.



Plants are almost ready/need more planters!



I hope all the pics are in the right order !!!!

Updates coming soon !