Building a bearded dragon enclosure

  

      Building a vivarium for your beardy is a big project. If you're doing it from scratch like we did you might run into some design flaws based on the conditions and habitat requirements a bearded dragon needs.

     Upon initial research, I came across some reading materials that were conflicting with my design plan. Some were absolutely non negotiable and had to be discarded as they could be detrimental to the bearded dragon's health. We chose Pine, and Glass.Some ideas I had had to be modified so as not to create a toxic environment. All in all, I made the perfect vivarium for our bearded friend. 

     I used pine for the wood. Pine is toxic to most animals. So, this material requires close scrutiny with sealant. We used polyurethane on all finished surfaces inside. Multiple layers on the inside of the box.

     First I created a hand drawn blue print of a trapezoidal design idea. I chose a 4'L x 2'H x 2'D measurement. Then rough drew a support structure. More on that later.

     The walls are particle board. with pine framing, I started assembling  with glue to brace and side. I had to glue up one side at a time, because of space and clamp count limitations. This did add a few weeks to the project ( i work full time, it was hot out too okay? )

     After the box shape was finished, i put a chest hinge on the top panel, so it can open and close for ease of access. ( we don't use it much, the next one i make will NOT have this unless there is a new need to adress.) Then we drilled holes for ventilation. 

     Then I bought double thick glass. I decided against any acrylic/plastic due to the scratching disadvantages. We used double pane glass for durability and resilience. We didn't use tempered simply because of the cost. To obtain tempered glass would have been 4x the cost of the double pane due to measurement conflicts with availability. I framed the side windows, and doors, then attached the doors to the enclosure, and added a wooden block between them to attach the locking mechanism.

     The Stand was easy and was constructed in such a way as to minimize material, and stability. So, this stand would be wobbly or tip easily, but would fit up against a wall too. the bracing is only four 2 x 4s notched together to make a Tic-Tac-Toe support structure. Held up by four 2 x 4s. The two legs in back and the two legs in front. The back legs are straight, but the front legs angle outward slightly, lending support against potential tipping disasters. I added a shelf between the legs and glued some left over FRP board ( shower wall paneling) from a bathroom remodel.

      After the paint dried my wife printed some decals to liven it up. I went with a Stargate SG1 them. Yeah! So, the legs had some golden hieroglyphics, and there is a silhouette of the pyramids of Giza on the front.

     For the outside finish, I cover the enter box exterior in plaster, and made the surface smooth. Hiding flaws and covering the wood and grain. Then I painted the box an off white. The frame of the windows and doors and vent ports were painted to match the stand. A gloss black.

     My wife Bri completed the project in steps after the construction was complete. The back and sides are covered spray foam with cork bark imbedded strategically. Then formed a bit to build a sort of shape of terrain. After this the Foam was covered in black ,aquarium tank safe for animal, silicone. While the silicone was still wet, she sprinkled loose substrate over it so it would stick and create the appearance of a dirt wall.

     After construction, was complete a substrate of a recommended mix of sand and soil as well as a healthy mix of little bugs and critters that help to self maintain the ecosystem were all added. Then decorations, a cave, and a few hammocks were added.

     The conditions of the atmosphere and substrate had to be considered also. A bearded dragon can adapt easily to many different flooring types, but in an effort to keep as close an environment as is natural to the little beastie. 

     So the last thing we really had to tackle was the balancing of the humidity right after assembly. The inside was too humid, and so we bought some online computer fans and attached them to two port holes on one side, to quickly dry the internal conditions. We needed this for about 6 months, until the substrate and interior reached an equilibrium and flattened out the humidity to around 15 - 20.

     Now, we have a unique and love habitat for our family member Draconia. She loves to go basking in the heat, and then hanging out in her corner on the cool side. She REALLY enjoys the hammock which looks out of one of the diagonal windows up high.