Fitting an enclosure into a small space?

[Nae]

Hey everyone, havent been around much been quite unwell and busy x.x Zeke however is still as perfect and grumpy as always!

Basically, Im wanting to make/buy Zeke a new enclosure.

However because I have to move out of home and and a few hours into the city for medical treatment and stuff like that, and since I will be by myself, Im stuck looking at tinnyyy studio apartments.

Every place I am considering has said that Zeke will be fine to live with me - But theres just the slight issue of how large his tank is/will be. Because I get yearly inspections from the wildlife people, it has to be set up properly (So no sliding a click clack under a table or something) so I was thinking of how I could incorporate his tank into an actual piece of practical furniture?

My first thought was a tv cabinet - opinions? His heating/lighting will be inside and such but my main concerns were:

- Heat rising and affecting my electronics. But if the top was thick enough something like that shouldnt be a problem yeah?
- He will most likely be groundish level and facing onto the main walkway of the centre of the apartment and like my couches and such. I plan on making all the rocks and such myself and therefore will make it so as then he can hide as much as possible, even when basking, if he so chooses. I will most likely be out most of the day working, and am otherwise a relatively calm and quiet person. Even having friends over there will only be one or two at a time and they arent a rambunctious lot and always very considerate of my animals.
Zeke isnt phased by people being around as long as they dont pay him too much attention - But i thought perhaps even a curtain I can pull across the front of the tank if I think he might be getting overwhelmed?

Any ideas? Has anyone else been in a similar situation and able to show photos?
Thanks!

[Squeeji]

I am by far not an expert, but I've seen lots of reptile and aquarium enthusiasts make great coffee table enclosures, maybe that's a possibility?

[splashy07]

Very sorry to hear of your ailments. Just an FYI, I once knew someone who converted a dresser drawer into a snake enclosure to save space. The top drawer was converted to an area that quite happily housed a rather large snake. The rest remained a dresser, and the entire area could be covered for those of his acquaintances who did not appreciate snakes...his landlord never knew! He kept the piece he cut off the front and could replace it to make it look unaltered.
Takes a bit of imagination and talent but figured I'd throw it out there. Wish I had a picture but back then there was no such thing as a magical phone that you always had with you....!
Good luck and be well, my prayers are with you.

[Nae]

Yeah Ive seen the coffee table enclosures! They look really nice but tbh they are otherwise very similar situation wise to a TV cabnet (close to the ground, in a major walkway) and some of these places probably do not even have room for a coffee table, eek!! Ahaha. Plus people putting down glasses etc on the top but freak him out a little. Thank you for the suggestion tho!

Hmmm a drawer thats an idea. I do have a loootttt of clothes and bits and bobs, plus that solves the issue of getting him off the floor. I probably wouldn't need to hide him as im being straight up with the landlords as to what pets I have cause theres no easy way to hide aquariums and a bird! Plus I am way too paranoid Id hate to mess up or for something to give him away and I have to move all over again!

Ill keep it in mind - most of the places seem to have a far amount of storage, and unlike a TV cabnet a drawer was not a piece of furniture I intended to have anyway - but yeah Im pretty space savvy so ill have a look once I actually have one of these tiny spaces in my hands and see what I can do! Thank youu

[Squeeji]

Maybe an adapted Ikea type piece of furniture? You know one of those wardrobe type cabinets they sell would make an awesome enclosure hide (the doors close and he's out of sight out of mind). People in the crested gecko community do that a lot, because that way if it gets trashed by the humidity you aren't out much...I would just suggest not using a drawer system for your skink and put say...electronics or clothes that you don't want to get musty in the other drawers in case there's a 'complication'

[lucasrusinak]

a TV cabinet would be great I think. The only thing I would try to figure out is an easy way to partially disassemble it so you can easily get it in and out if you need to. I have an enclosure I made out of 2x4s and melamine which Is decently light and can be taken apart easily enough to be moved if need be. I've already moved with it once with no issues

[Nae]

The great thing about having a Centralian - Humidity is not an issue Although the drawer directly under him will most likely wind up pet stuff anyway, seems like an obvious place to put it. And if the whole enclosure part is properly sealed, I don't see mishaps with what little water he does have being an issue.

*** The rest of what I have typed has been deleted cause nevermind everything I now have an idea Im super excited about - Hopefully it works and Ill get back to everyone when its dooonee

[Susann]

Can't wait....