Was thinking about using this for my RETF's any advice?

[mrzoggs]

was going to clean this up and see if i can modify it a bit and use it for my tree frogs. maybe even a rain chamber. its aproxamently 5 foot tall. has a wooden top with a built in light socket but im going to take all that out.its sealed all the way around except the front i was thinking maybe put a lip on the front glass so that it seals it when it closes. idk

any advice would be nice seeing how this is my first time building something. thanks a lot

[Heatheranne]

Yes, I believe you could use it if you can somehow add screening to the top or a side for ventilation. If it is a curio type cabinet and you have the option to place shelves, you might be able to have glass cut to fit the top shelf area tight so there are no cracks your frog(s) could get up to the lighted area, in which case you could still use the light socket to provide light. I think the easiest way to add screening would be to create a new door...just a thought.

I am looking into making a vivarium from a curio also. Of course, the one I want is $600, so it's on hold for now .

[mrzoggs]

yes i think somewhere around the house there are glass shelves that slide across the black bars. it used to have my moms snow babies in it and my little brother always messed with them and broke them so they are packed up. its just been sitting here collecting dust. i was going to take the top off and make my own screen lid unless i could find a custom fit one for it. i didnt want too much ventilation so i was going to keep the front of it glass and just add a rubber strip. like maybe silicone it to the front so when it closed it would keep it somewhat air tight. it would be nice to have a screen front door but i want to be able to keep moisture in there for the humidity. im curious whether or not i could make a rain chamber out of this and it might be a bit easier. not sure how people feed their frogs inside a rain chamber with all the water so i might need to do some more research. because there is no way the frogs could get out. only small crickets as of now. thank you for your feedback

[Heatheranne]

I agree, if possible putting the screen on the top would be best. It would depend on how the curio is made. Though most curios come unassembled, so I'm betting there's a way to take it apart or perhaps have the center of the top cut out.

A rain chamber would be awesome too.

[mrzoggs]

yeah the glas door is hinged onto the wood top. so if i take the wood top off i would have to find a way to re hinge the door. but i can cut most of the wood top out. my biggest problem is going to be filling in the gap on the front door. there is about a 1/4 inch maximum gap around the whole door when its cosed. the rest of the cabinet is pretty much sealed. i was thinking maybe i could take a 1 inch wide long strip of rubber and run it down the side so when it closed the rubber sealed it. or maybe velcro. where as to open it i have to undo the velcro all the way down then after i close it i velcro it back.

[Heatheranne]

That just might work . You could also silicone wood strips into the corners and the front so when you close the door it's right up against them.

Tree frogs would live a tall vivarium like that .

[Heatheranne]

Oops, 'love' a tall vivarium. Sometimes I type too fast, lol!

[Heatheranne]

I'm hoping to try something like this. The side glass panels are held in place with twist hinges. It'd be easy to put in screening. I'd have glass cut to fit tightly on the highest shelf level and silicone it right in. I could change the bulbs by opening the door .

I'm excited to see if yours works. I'm sure there's a way .

[mrzoggs]

yes. silicone strips like your saying might work good. they make those things that go on the bottom of doors. like the width of a ruler. you screw them on the bottom and the flap keeps the air from coming in. and since its rubber its flexible. i found some in walmart. i will start messing around with it soon. i just dont wanna mess it up. or think of a better idea after i already did something.

[Heatheranne]

Great idea!