Step 1: Arid Desert Vivarium - Introduction

I know that keeping more than one species together is often frowned upon in the industry.  However, I wanted to build a vivarium that was large enough so that I could keep more than one carefully considered species.

I also had a different idea for a vivarium.  Usually vivariums are constructed inside an all glass aquarium.  I wanted more places for the animals to live and climb, with a smaller portion dedicated to viewing - while maintaining full visibility of the animals wherever they may be in the enclosure.

I decided upon a size of 4' by 4' by 4'.  This would provide enough floor space as well as plenty of climbing area on the walls.

Step 2: The Base and Sides

The base and sides

I started with the base, 3/4" plywood, 4' by 4'.  The three walls also began as 4' by 4' plywood sides.

The vivarium, being made of plywood and holding several real rocks and gravel, would need to support a lot of weight.  So I made several legs of double 2" by 4" pieces.

Step 3: The Background Wall

In order to create the background, which would be covered with layers of climbing rock structures and basking outcroppings, I first built a few shelves and supports with wood.  I just used wood screws to fasten these supports onto the plywood that would be become the back side.

Then I covered the wall with Great Stuff Expanding Foam.

Once the back wall was sufficiently covered with the foam, and it had completely dried, I began carving the wall into rock-like structures.

Step 4: Creating the Rock Background

I carved the foam into rock outcroppings and ledges, making sure there were clear pathways for the animals to safely climb up and down.

By the way, this is my son in the pictures, who helped me with this project.

After carving the background foam into various rocks and ledges, I mixed up a watery solution of tile grout.  I used two colors of grout.  A darker color to cover all of the rocks, making special care to fill in all of the deep crevices.  After that dried, then I mixed up a lighter color of grout.  I used the lighter color to paint over the rocks, but used more of a lighter touch to not paint over the deeper cracks.

 

Step 5: Painting the Inside Walls

To add to the look of the vivarium, I painted desert scenes on the inside walls.

Step 6: Framing the top and front openings

I then framed out the top and front openings, so that I could put plexiglass across the front, and removable screen lids for the tops.  The frames were 1" by 2" boards.

Step 7: The Removable Lids for the top

I made these lids that can easily removed.  I stretched screen across the lid, and fastened down around the edges.  This makes an easy place to rest various heat lamps and UVB bulbs over the lower portion and over the upper portion.

I cut plexiglass pieces to fit the front openings of the lower portion and the upper portion.  I drilled holes in the plexiglass around the edges, and screwed them in to the front frame.

If I was to do over again, I would have used glass rather than plexiglass. I would have had to find a different way to hold them on (i wouldn't have been able to drill holes around the edges).  However, the plexiglass cracked here and there when drilling the holes, and the front of the plexiglass got all scratched up from the lizards trying to climb on it.  You can see this in the pictures of the finished vivarium.