NDevon
Active Member
I'm building an extension for my cherryhead vivarium, it will be fairly large and I want it to last. I'm just not entirely sure on the thickness of wood I should use. I want to get it thinner if possible, not to save money and cut corners but to save on weight, if it's too heavy it will be a nightmare to move. The main bulk will be 40" wide by 20" deep by 40" high, but there will be another box off at a right angle making a second storey on top of the existing vivarium.
I was looking at 15mm external plywood, but can get 12mm to save weight or 20mm if it needs to be tougher. I will be treating each piece of wood with a non-toxic varnish to ensure its waterproof, then applying silicone to each join as its assembled. Once built I'll silicone every seam before treating the whole of the inside to several more coats of varnish, it will get very damp as I'm either going to use a misting system or a fogger.
Anyone built a vivarium and know the best thickness? Or a carpenter and have a good idea of the best material? Is an external plywood the right choice? Done a lot of reading but people use different things, everyone seems happy with the result but then I guess they would be, I just want to do the best I can so it lasts.
I was looking at 15mm external plywood, but can get 12mm to save weight or 20mm if it needs to be tougher. I will be treating each piece of wood with a non-toxic varnish to ensure its waterproof, then applying silicone to each join as its assembled. Once built I'll silicone every seam before treating the whole of the inside to several more coats of varnish, it will get very damp as I'm either going to use a misting system or a fogger.
Anyone built a vivarium and know the best thickness? Or a carpenter and have a good idea of the best material? Is an external plywood the right choice? Done a lot of reading but people use different things, everyone seems happy with the result but then I guess they would be, I just want to do the best I can so it lasts.