BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hey guys!
So, I've been researching into materials, prices, etc, and buying plastic sheets online is really expensive! Specially when you plan on doing a 6 to 9 foot long tank...
So I'm probably just gonna order the acrylic via ebay (I need large sheets that are not available in home depot and it is WAY cheaper, the shipping is good too, about 15 dollars for any sheet)
Now, my problem is the rest of the tank, the sides and bottom.
I'm planning to use a good plywood board as the base plate, so the bottom plastic doesn't need to be super rigid or anything, just something that will last and isn't absurdly expensive
The sides I have no idea what to use, I saw some enclosures here with a plastic similar to what you can find on some cheaper dog houses, but I have no idea the name of it..

Ok, so, summing up, I need some recommendations for materials, either plastic or wood, to the sides, and some form of plastic to cover the base so the plywood won't get exposed to moisture.

Thanks!!

When using plastics, be aware that some could be made with chemicals that may be harmful when exposed to high temps. Make sure whatever you are using would be safe for an animal enclosure. I can't really help with materials as I have never made an enclosure myself.

splashy07 wrote:When using plastics, be aware that some could be made with chemicals that may be harmful when exposed to high temps. Make sure whatever you are using would be safe for an animal enclosure. I can't really help with materials as I have never made an enclosure myself.

Thanks for the reminder!!
I'm looking into Expanded PVC. It might release chlorine gas if it is above 65c/145f but the part around the CHE will be made out of wood for sure
By the way, if I have a 48" (1.22m) UVB, T5 HO running along the enclosure, do I still need a basking light around the basking area? (ex. an incandescent bulb)

kyerth wrote:

splashy07 wrote:When using plastics, be aware that some could be made with chemicals that may be harmful when exposed to high temps. Make sure whatever you are using would be safe for an animal enclosure. I can't really help with materials as I have never made an enclosure myself.

Thanks for the reminder!!
I'm looking into Expanded PVC. It might release chlorine gas if it is above 65c/145f but the part around the CHE will be made out of wood for sure
By the way, if I have a 48" (1.22m) UVB, T5 HO running along the enclosure, do I still need a basking light around the basking area? (ex. an incandescent bulb)

Expanded PVC is a very poor choice .... it outgases continuously even at room temperatures.

Your best choice is marine plywood (is more resistant to damp conditions than regular plywood).

kingofnobbys wrote:
Expanded PVC is a very poor choice .... it outgases continuously even at room temperatures.

Your best choice is marine plywood (is more resistant to damp conditions than regular plywood).

oh wow thanks for the heads up
today I went to home depot and even marine treated plywood will be waaay cheaper than ePVC, so I'll follow your recommendation

I would say try your local cabinet shops. Lots of times they have racks full of cut offs that they keep to cut replacement pieces from. Hit a couple of them up and see if you can get some discounted materials. Some places might even have 6'x10' that have only one small piece cut out of them. Worth a shot

LeadedCactus83 wrote:I would say try your local cabinet shops. Lots of times they have racks full of cut offs that they keep to cut replacement pieces from. Hit a couple of them up and see if you can get some discounted materials. Some places might even have 6'x10' that have only one small piece cut out of them. Worth a shot

totally worth a shot!
I ended up making a schematic for the enclosure and even if I cant find something cheaper, I can do it all with a sheet of 4' x 8' plywood, so it shouldn't be too expensive, the bad part is that I don't have any tools lol
gonna try to get some really cheap from craigslist and offerup, even flea markets
old tools are new tools with a little bit of rust, they just need some love and oil :3