vivarium construction supplies

[UncleChester]

Great idea Bill. You've been pretty thorough but I'll add a few things

"Hydroton" is a brand name and if the store doesn't know what you're talking about try asking for LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate), or 'little clay balls', or 'balls of clay'. If you still get funny looks, leave the store and try someplace else.

A couple other Backgrounds:

Cement: Quikrete "Quick Set Cement" mixed with Acrylic Fortifier and tinted with concrete pigments over carved styrofoam makes an indestructible background. Non-toxic acrylic craft paint also works to tint the cement as you're mixing it, but isn't supposed to be as colour fast (3 years and running with no problems in one of my vivariums though). This needs time to cure, especially if it's involved in a water feature as cement will raise the pH. Materials at any hardware store come in relatively large quantities making this very economical in the long run. Tile grout is another related option that I've never tried.

Bare Glass with Exterior Paint: 'Reverse paint' on the outside of the vivarium using Craft Paint made for painting glass. Makes for an extremely easy to clean interior.


Excellent article about suitable choices for wood and how to prepare it for the vivarium Caudata Culture Articles - Wood in Vivaria
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Shelf Mushrooms: Great to silicone to the glass for ledges. Best to collect ones that turn hard and woody. Can be boiled and baked like the wood above.

Safe and Cheap Silicone for the Canucks: Home Hardware - 3 Pack 300mL Multi-purpose Clear Silicone II Sealant

Plastic Zip Ties: Smaller versions of the kinds the riot police use for impromptu handcuffs. Any hardware store has them. Mentioned by Bill with regards to building a false bottom but since they are immediately frog safe (unlike glue/silicone) they're also great for instant impromptu repairs inside an already running vivarium, or adding branches, tying back plants, or handcuffing a misbehaving frog.