Delilah the checkered garter.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Sealing with Polycrylic (saw alot of suggestions on using this, I'll probably do a fancy stain on my next one before sealing).



BTW that's my friend helping me in the pics. She has a bunch of her daddy's old tools and her husband is only handy with cars so she was really happy to get a chance to whoops out her tools (we used pretty much every one of her power tools on this project).

[Rushthezeppelin]

Here in a little bit I'll be heading back over and finishing the sealing. We put 3 coats on last night and decided to give it 12+ hours for those to harden up a bit and then do the last two coats for five total on the inside. Outside will only get 2-3 probably, just enough to give it a light gloss (this wood drinks this sealant like water lol). Then I wait at least a week and see if I can smell any offgassing still and then probably give it a few days beyond what I can smell.

[d_virginiana]

Then I wait at least a week and see if I can smell any offgassing still and then probably give it a few days beyond what I can smell.

Good plan.

I can't tell; is the final orientation going to be like it is in the pics with it being mostly vertical, or turned on the side with mostly horizontal space? It looks like it'd be enough space either way, I'm just curious.

[Rushthezeppelin]

This is basically what it will look like finalized. Just add the "branch" in as well as some of those 3M sticky hooks for handles on the glass. Will also be taking the 10g sized terrarium top and repurposing it on this. I built up the top to where it will fit and I can throw some nails halfway and bend em over to secure it. This thing ain't gonna be the prettiest enclosure ever, but Delilah should LOVE it with all the room she will have for climbing (not to mention I won't have to startle her anymore with the loud pop of the clips that hold the top on).

And yes, it's enough space either way. Inside measures round about 22 wide by 20 tall.

[d_virginiana]

With that layout you could get one of those reptile hammocks they make for bearded dragons so she can relax higher up! I've seen people using them for garters on here before (it's been a couple years) but they seem to enjoy them and look pretty cute lounging around.

[Rushthezeppelin]

She certainly does like lounging. Her favorite sleeping position has been draped from the bush in the back to a log in the front with like 5" of her belly just hanging over her water bowl, it's quite hilarious. SoI was thinking of stapling more of that fake ivy all over the sides and back...would the staples rusting be a worry I should have?

[d_virginiana]

Hm... I'd probably stay away from staples. Anything with edges that could work loose is generally better to stay away from.

It's semi-permanent, but I've used this technique in both snake and frog enclosures and it works well. If you get 'Great Stuff' foam (from WalMart or any hardware store), you can spray out globs of it and let it harden, then carve it into whatever shape you want. Then get aquarium grade silicone (make sure it doesn't have any fungicides in it) and cover the outside in it, and while it's still wet press cocofiber (Eco-Earth brand works well) into the silicone. You can then use the silicone to glue the cocofiber covered foam onto whatever place in the enclosure you want. It's very sturdy and makes a safe, naturalistic looking anchor for any ivy or hanging plants. Once the vinegar smell is gone, the silicone has set and it's safe. I've also used that technique to make natural looking hides and covered them in bark with cocofiber pressed into the gaps. My snakes seem to really gravitate to those hides, maybe because they like the textures.

[Rushthezeppelin]

Hm... I'd probably stay away from staples. Anything with edges that could work loose is generally better to stay away from.

It's semi-permanent, but I've used this technique in both snake and frog enclosures and it works well. If you get 'Great Stuff' foam (from WalMart or any hardware store), you can spray out globs of it and let it harden, then carve it into whatever shape you want. Then get aquarium grade silicone (make sure it doesn't have any fungicides in it) and cover the outside in it, and while it's still wet press cocofiber (Eco-Earth brand works well) into the silicone. You can then use the silicone to glue the cocofiber covered foam onto whatever place in the enclosure you want. It's very sturdy and makes a safe, naturalistic looking anchor for any ivy or hanging plants. Once the vinegar smell is gone, the silicone has set and it's safe. I've also used that technique to make natural looking hides and covered them in bark with cocofiber pressed into the gaps. My snakes seem to really gravitate to those hides, maybe because they like the textures.

I've known about the great stuff, silicone and coconut fiber thing for a bit. Didn't know it made garters feel more secure though. Perhaps I'll use it a little bit. I just don't want this to turn into another two days of work on this sucker lol, but I guess a few plant anchors and maybe a hide on the shelf won't be too bad (I was thinking maybe have the side shelf be like a quarter log or something she could sneak behind). Funny how many times I saw some of beginner garter guides state something like "a hot and cold hide and a water bowl are all that are needed, any other decoration is simply for the owners satisfaction". I know full well that's a lie with Delilah. She was immediately MUCH more comfy just from adding the fake plants to her enclosure and giving her basically a leaf bed to sneak around in while still feeling very secure. Also I know full well she is going to go nuts over her new enclosure when it's finished for the vertical room she will have.

[d_virginiana]

I don't know why exactly mine seem to prefer the homemade hides. It could be the texture, but I think that the custom shape just allows them to feel more secure than the typical store-bought ones.

[Rushthezeppelin]

More Delilah photos







Love that hint of light turquoise between her scales.