Enclosure Questions!!

[SkinkMingus]

Hi there friends! I'm a first time owner and my baby will be arriving in August so I have some questions about the enclosure. Though I can buy a terrarium I like the idea of making a custom one. I have a wooden cabinet with glass doors that could make a really cool home (with some renovations)!

Here are my questions:
1) is there a certain types of wood I should stay away from or are most generally okay?
2) for ventilation should I opt for actual ventilation grates or a mesh that I can rest a heating lamp on?
3) is there such thing as too much ventilation?
4) should the food and water be on a specific side?
5) due to the way the cabinet is designed, there's an opportunity for me to create a two story enclosure. In my mind, the top level would warm and the bottom would be cool. I would make a (long with a gradual incline) stair case to connect the top and bottom so my son could move freely through both levels with ease. Would doing this be a stupid idea? And if not, do you have some advice to making one that's safe?

Thank ya'll so much!
-Dana

[mb606587]

1. Avoid pine, cedar, or any lumber that is treated with chemicals. Most you'll find will be safe.
2. Depends on the species of BTS you're getting. If getting any of the Indo species, use smaller ventilation ports to help maintain the humidity. If getting a Northern, you can get away with a mesh or screen top.
3. Yes. Too much ventilation will allow humidity to disperse out of your enclosure. Again more of an issue with the Indonesians who need that high humidity.
4. Yes. Keep both on the cooler side. Direct heat will help bacteria thrive.
5. I'm probably one of the few who uses a bi-level enclosure with a ramp that connects the first and second floor. Mine was originally bought as a rabbit hutch and I made a few minor adjustments. My skink actually uses both floors quite frequently.