lee
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by lee on May 9, 2010 18:11:16 GMT
Hi Guys and Girls
I am beginning to build some outdoor vivs and I have some spare poly carbonate sheeting thats 6 feet x 7 1/2 feet, 2m x 2.5m
I intend to cut this and build several vivs but how deep do you think I should sink the sides and how high to stop creatures like Lacerta Viridis from escaping, obviously I will place a mesh lid over this but I don't want them leaping out when its open, or rats digging in. The other question is what substrate do you use?
Thanks for any help
Lee
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Post by viridis on May 10, 2010 15:23:35 GMT
The height of the walls depends on you. Normally 18" or 24" but bear in mind how easy you need access into the vivarium.Obviously the higher the wall the more difficult it is to get into the vivarium. I would also say the height of the wall depends on the size of the vivarium.Unless your polycarbonate is clear you will create a shadow along the walls and obviously with high walls the area that is in shadow will be greater.I have spoken to some experienced keepers and they tend to bank the soil into the middle of the vivarium.Shadowing is not problem in high summer but during spring and autumn with a lower sun this can be a problem. Most people tend to bury their walls about 24" again to try to deter rats. I have used fine sand in my vivariums without problems but I have been advised to use a sharper sand to prevent any eye problems. I hope this is of help,there are plenty of people more qualified than me on here,but no one seemed to answer you.
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Post by clemmys on May 10, 2010 20:31:30 GMT
Here are two recent pics of the viv in which i keep Lacerta viridis & Podarcis muralis. The walls are of 4mm glass, the back is 6 ft wide x 3 ft high, the front is 1ft 6 ins high & the sides slope from 6 ft at back to 1 ft 6 ins at front. There is a glass roof at the back dim. of 6 ft x 3 ft., this is to keep the area underneath, where the hibernacula are, permanently dry. This viv is now 10 years old. Outside view Inside The glass is on a breeze block base as an obstruction for rats or mice. keepingreptilesalfresco.blogspot.com/
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Post by chrisd on May 11, 2010 18:13:31 GMT
Hi Clemmy,
I have been following your discussion and have some questions if you don't mind. First your viv is very impressive, it has given me some ideas for the future. I just wish I could dig something similar in my garden.
The first question is how do you feed the animals ? Is it wasteful ? I can see that some natural prey can enter but do you just throw other prey in and hope for the best ? and if you don't mind answering, approx how much would it cost for all that glass ? Do you have any problem with cats ? And finally do you have success with breeding ?
thanks,
chris
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Post by clemmys on May 11, 2010 22:13:55 GMT
I do feed mealworms or waxworms a couple of times a week, although there are plenty of woodlice, spiders & ants living in there. The inside of the viv has different microclimates, damp/wet and very dry zones. Therefore natural food is always available. Cats, magpies & even blackbirds can be a nuisance, so i cover it with corrugated plastic in the winter & a mesh frame in summertime. I have not had any breeding success as yet, had bad luck buying babies that all turn out the same sex. Not sure what the glass would cost now......it is expensive but it looks good. Pic of Podarcis looking for grub
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Post by viridis on May 12, 2010 16:58:39 GMT
Hi Chis, To answer your question on price ,vaguely.......... We use 6mm laminate and 6m toughened glass for work in office partitioning.We work on the figure of between £25 and £30 per square metre depending on quantity and area. Please bear in mind that this is the net cost plus V.A.T. and would be considerably more for the retail market.This would make these vivariums expensive. Unfortunately you are so far away.
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Post by chrisd on May 13, 2010 16:13:22 GMT
Thanks for the advice regarding price and feeding. As a different slant to this my vivs are south facing, but on bare concrete, stood on industrial polystyrene. They are basically rabbit runs with polycarbonate sides and tops which can be opened weather permitting. A polystyrene hibernation chamber has been placed at the back, then sand, rocks, branches branches, etc have been built on top. Not nearly as impressive as clemmys but my Viridis, Bills, Trills and Exiguas seem to be doing ok. They survived this winter with the extreme weather that we had. This year I enclosed it further with fine meshing from the garden centre ( NOT the shading mesh !) to stop insects escaping. If I had the choice I would definately dig down to provide a hibernation chamber I didn't have the choice and the animals are doing ok as they are. A hinged rain cover is needed for part of the viv to stop it from flooding. I hope this gives another view point to building an enclosure.
Chris
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lee
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by lee on May 14, 2010 19:44:17 GMT
Hi Guys
Many thanks for all your advice, that glass enclosure by clemmys looks absolutely awesome, something to really aim for. I think I shall start digging and come back for more advice as I go along, I had thought I may have to make the sides 3 feet tall maybe so I am glad thats not the case.
I know Clemmys said about eye problems with fine sand what do others use? and what species do you mix or more importantly don't mix
cheers Lee
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