converting a fish tank into a aboreal viv

[ryan]

has anyone done this before?
i have a 3ft tank that i want to stand on its end to put phelsumas in but amunsureon how to do the door.
i want sliding glass but then im going tohave trouble heating itasi cant get a cable in there - woulda heat mat outside the viv on the back wall be sufficient?

 

[zBrinks]

Its very easy to do - Im sure you can search for 'vert' on this website, or dendroboard.com, and find an explanation.

Basically, you seal the inside of the plastic trim with silicone, silicone a pane of glass in place at the bottom to hold in the soil, and then attach a hinge from that pane of glass to another to allow the 'door' to open outwards. A vent may be needed above the door - window screen kits form Lowes or Home Depot will work for this. Then glue a latch on to allow the door to be held shut.

Ive not kept phelsumas personally, but was under the impression they needed a basking area and exposure to UV. If that is the case, you would not need heat cable, but would need to remove the new 'top' piece of glass (tank in vert position) and repace it with screen, then provide a basking bulb as well as a UVB flo. Many people use halogen spotlights for basking areas.

 

[Haroldo]

has anyone done this before?
i have a 3ft tank that i want to stand on its end to put phelsumas in but amunsureon how to do the door.
i want sliding glass but then im going tohave trouble heating itasi cant get a cable in there - woulda heat mat outside the viv on the back wall be sufficient?

Ryan, check my threads out. I keep several species of Phelsuma and can help you with those specifics...

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4389&highlight=lineata+bombetokensis
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9650

 

[ryan]

thanks very much for the replies. how did you make the screen top? im not too keen on taking the tank apart to make a screen topsois there any other way i could get a basking area?

 

[Haroldo]

thanks very much for the replies. how did you make the screen top? im not too keen on taking the tank apart to make a screen topsois there any other way i could get a basking area?

The screen top was made with screen frame, frame corners, aluminum screen, and spline. They're made the same way screen frames in doors are. (Afraid it's difficult for me to elaborate in further than this verbally.) You can use low wattage, spiral fluorescents inside dome fixtures to provide a basking spot without being dangerous. Shoot me a PM if you have anymore questions.
-Harold