DIY Demo: A Cost Effective Way Of Building Large Reptile Enclosures

My previous enclosure was getting too small for my mangrove monitor. So I built the largest indoor reptile enclosure I have ever built. It’s over 7ft long, 4ft deep, and 6ft tall (2.1 x 1.2 x 1.8m).
An enclosure this size would cost me close to $1000 to build if I make it in the same way as my other enclosures.
By changing construction design, and scavenging materials here and there, I managed to build it for much less.
This video documents some of the building process and shares some tips on how to cut costs when building large reptile enclosure.

[@thinriches]

"The monitor is happy and i'm happy" *monitor attacks* This video was found at the scene and uploaded posthumously. RIP Varanibae_ 🤣

[@thinriches]

I know this was a while ago, but might want to consider putting something over the shelving holes so the monitor doesn't get its toes stuck. Those long skinny toes are a perfect fit in those holes. Thanks for the demo, i'm always looking for new methods of cage building and saving a few bucks

[@Varanibae]

😂

[@Thegermanmonitorlizardguy]

Thats a big enclosure for your indicus. Does he hunt fish in the water? I am also building a enclouser right now but I am not 100% sure what kind of monitor i will get here in Germany.

[@Varanibae]

I’ve never seen him go for fish before, no interest in it. Maybe if he’s hungry enough he might?

[@Varanibae]

I’ve watched your enclosure build process. Seen you share it on one of the Facebook groups. Looking real good!

[@dirty46]

Thank you.

[@RolaFN]

So the mercury vapour lamp provides heat and uv and the other lights are just for providing light to the cage?

[@Varanibae]

Mercury vapour for heat and uv, other lights for heat and light. A larger basking spot created by multiple heat lamps is required for a large lizard

[@RolaFN]

@@Varanibae ok thank you and sorry for asking like 20 questions

[@RolaFN]

Do you use thermostats for heat bulbs?

[@Varanibae]

No I don’t, the enclosure is large enough that it will never overheat the cool end. As long you select the correct wattage of heat globes you can run them 10-12 hours straight

[@WildLife_Perspective]

Awesome!

[@RolaFN]

What brand and wattage uvb lamp did you use and what wattage heater did you use in the water?

[@Varanibae]

Arcadia 160w mercury vapour uv lamp and 200w eheim aquarium heater

[@straightwhitemale5753]

Jeez. How many clamps do you have? Lmao

[@Varanibae]

Can never have too many 😂

[@straightwhitemale5753]

@@Varanibae No sir. That's tools in general really. Lol

[@Thbpj]

4:45

[@Hunt227]

U going to fast plus .u should made video how build using minimal space .not everyone got full garage 😅

[@Varanibae]

Thanks for the suggestion, might do that one day if I have time. For now, my videos are mainly for documenting things I’ve done

[@SuperJosteen]

I knew alot of people were able to tame their monitor lizards, but I would take a tegu over them all day of the week, my tegu never even strike at me to this day, the worst he does is just tail whipping when I'm not carrying him properly.

[@blockchainprofessor.x]

I'm dealing with the opposite between my Savannah monitor and my tegu. My Sav is much more friendly while my tegu wants free roaming with no holding

[@ALAMLUSVI]

How do you clean dirt stuck to the cage?

[@Tater4200]

your accent is very confusing lol. i cant quite place it

[@Varanibae]

I think so too

[@gabemcneal10]

This is awesome! How large will this specific monitor get? I’m currently looking into how to build an enclosure for a black throat monitor! What is the size and dimensions of this one here?

[@Varanibae]

It was a mature 4ft female. The enclosure was 2 x1.2 x1.8m

[@austinpartin3475]

Could you let me know all the materials you used for this? Wanting to build close to the same thing like pond, how much wood, screws, paint etc.. thanks!

[@Varanibae]

Hi Austin, 90x45 h3 pine. 12mm structural grade plywood, pocket hole jig and screws, fencing paint, right bond wood glue. Let me know if you have anything specifically you want to know

[@Hemp1972]

Wauw! Awesome build! The filter I'm gonna copy definitely. Beautiful enclosures! I think this is why KZbin exists. For us to see how beautiful you build your enclosure. Beautiful! 🔆

[@Varanibae]

Thank you, yeah KZbin is a good place to learn from each other

[@pierrefitch]

What type of wood for enclosure for a kimberley rock monitor

[@Varanibae]

I really like FormPly/ film faced plywood, they’re water proof and easy to clean. Doesn’t absorb anything and has a smooth glossy surface

[@pumpkinchow]

Definitely came out great 👍 and it’s always fun cutting huge pieces of glass 😂 I’m always afraid I’m going to break the glass but luckily it’s always worked according to plan

[@Varanibae]

Can’t say the same re cutting glass 😂 broke a fair few and got the measurements wrong on even more pieces haha

[@pumpkinchow]

@@Varanibae well I did mess up measurements and now have a bunch of tiny pieces I’ll probably make spider enclosures out of. Thankfully I haven’t paid for glass I always look for old picture frames with glass and recycle the glass. And I still even use my grandfather’s glass tool that’s probably 80 years old but works like a charm.

[@zellcrs]

jump scare at the end

[@josephkaneaster8155]

I need to build something like this

[@TheOGDark]

Pine is Toxic to reptiles homie

[@Varanibae]

My understanding is if pine has been dried and treated it gives off minimal toxins, on top of that sealing it with paint/ polyurethane would make it safe. Also more of an issue in a small poorly ventilated enclosure

[@RolaFN]

How hot is your basking spot?

[@Varanibae]

Around 50c

[@lukehartley7759]

This channel will explode if you keep it up great vids

[@Varanibae]

Thank you!

[@jaxattack7b198]

What are the dimensions of the enclosure?

[@Varanibae]

Around 2.1 x 1.2 x 1.8m

[@jaxattack7b198]

@@Varanibae sweet, thanks for such a fast response

[@texoticas]

Awesome Enclosure! Good Stuff

[@straightwhitemale5753]

What kind of lights do you use?

[@Varanibae]

Outdoor rated halogen floodlights 100-120w and mercury Vapour uvb lamp for uv

[@straightwhitemale5753]

@@Varanibae What Watt?

[@Varanibae]

@@straightwhitemale5753 100w. Always better to have more lower wattage globes than 1 very high wattage globe

[@straightwhitemale5753]

@@Varanibae Thanks. I didn't notice you added the watts at first.

[@alliscott1553]

So I know pine isn't good for reptiles. My enclosure for my black roughneck was made from pine (unknowingly at the time the toxicity) and I was advised to use a sealant. I saw you did the same. With them scratching at the wood, is it still considered safe and what do you do to keep the wood safe?

[@Varanibae]

My understanding is that pine used for construction doesn’t have a lot of oily residues left from the drying process. I’m not concerned about toxicities even if this enclosure isn’t sealed. It’s probably got more to do with the concentration of the oil in the air. More of an issue if you have relatively freshly shaven pine shavings pieces in small poorly ventilated enclosures. Pretty sure there are reptiles in pine forests in the wild.

[@levikenworthy3114]

Awesome build. Keep it up man. I just stumbled onto your page great content and editing.

[@Varanibae]

Thank you!

[@golden_zebra]

This is awesome!! Good job!

[@MrActionproductions]

Wow love it

[@carp8662]

I’m going to build an enclosure for a green iguana. Will mold grow if I don’t treat the wood and just paint it? If so what could I use to prevent mold? Thanks.

[@Varanibae]

Good luck with your build! Mood may or may not grow, regardless of wether you paint the wood. A smooth gloss finish like polyurethane varnish would probably reduce the chances of that happening. But then again, peoples bathrooms grow mold even though the paint used is usually rated for bathroom use.

[@carp8662]

@@Varanibae Thank you. Have you had any trouble with mold in your terrarium’s?

[@Varanibae]

@@carp8662 it’s been about one year now and so far so good. It helps that the enclosure is not very humid, but humidity is something you want green iguanas

[@jayjb833]

u dont spend enough time with that monitor with him wanting to attack u

[@Varanibae]

Yeah maybe

[@jaxattack7b198]

No you are wrong lol

[@RolaFN]

Where did you get the water tub and how much water does it hold?

[@Varanibae]

Got mine second hand, it’s a in-ground garden pond. 200L of water

[@RolaFN]

@@Varanibae ok thank you for fast reply

[@Tonedwhistle844]

what was total price

[@Varanibae]

Around $500-$600 including the pond and filter

[@egtryjrt3999]

haha cool video, what type of monitor do you have? is it a mangrove? I'm either getting a mangrove or Kimberly rock monitor

[@Varanibae]

Thanks! This is a mangrove

[@egtryjrt3999]

yeah I'm not totally decided on whether I'm going to get a mangrove or Kimberly rock monitor

[@Varanibae]

@@egtryjrt3999 I personally would go rock monitors as it’s more achievable to provide them with the space they need

[@egtryjrt3999]

ok thanks! cool vid

[@egtryjrt3999]

@@Varanibae ok thanks

[@kylemarty6548]

what type of outdoor fence paint did you use for the panels??

[@Varanibae]

Water-based quick drying type

[@kylemarty6548]

@@Varanibae awesome ty for the reply and one more thing, what is the pool type of tub you used for the swimming area called? i cant find something similar. Thank you!

[@Varanibae]

@@kylemarty6548 that’s actually just a small plastic pond. It’s made out of polyethylene I believe, but fibreglass ponds work too

[@yumeh0tf1reofficial66]

How much did this cost for you?

[@Varanibae]

Just under $500 AUD from memory

[@yumeh0tf1reofficial66]

@@Varanibae thank you!