Yet another project

[Stefan-A]

That's right. I've had my current enclosure for less than a year and I already feel like making a better one. Or rather a complete "modular" system. The current one is otherwise good, but isn't really practical to stack, especially not if I ever need a third terrarium. I hope to make 2 initially, later possibly a third terrarium, all according to the same basic design and of the same width and depth. The depth would be 50cm and the width is still open, but I was thinking of something like 100-120cm. The most practical height, according to my own estimate, would be around 50-60cm.

Opinions or suggestions? Can't even decide between sliding glass doors and swinging plastic ones right now, not to mention which way they should swing. But I don't want to make it any more complicated than is absolutely necessary and I'm just testing a few ideas at the moment.

This is the general idea:
- Very simple design
- Separate modules that can be stacked in any order according to my current needs.
- Big enough for a garter couple and a corn snake respectively.
- Heated by lamps.
- Light from 16mm T5 tubes

Made a couple of quick models in Oxygen. Measurements of these ones from top to bottom: 100x60x50, 100x50x50, 100x50x50 (considering dividing it into two 50x50x50)

[adamanteus]

Pretty much like mine Stefan, only separate, rather than a set of three.

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, about the same width and depth. Didn't notice if you ever mentioned the height or the volume of the individual enclosures in your project, though.

[adamanteus]

The set is 6 foot, so each viv is around 2 foot high.

[Stefan-A]

So each is around 325 litres? I was aiming for one 300-360 and at least one 250-300.

[adamanteus]

I have no idea of the volume Stefan! I never thought about it!

[Stefan-A]

Ok.

But about the sizes, are they in your opinion big enough for the mentioned species? I know people keep them in much smaller enclosures than that, but I'm not really a fan of the "absolute minimum" philosophy.

[adamanteus]

I'm not really a fan of the "absolute minimum" philosophy.

I agree, I always give as much room as possible. I know many people keep Garters in much smaller spaces, and have no problem, but that isn't really my style. I think the sizes you quote are generous, by many people's standards.

[Thamnophis]

100 x 50 x 50 cm is large enough for gartersnakes and most ratsnakes.

[Cazador]

Just a thought for your consideration:

If the top enclosure was just a little bit taller, you could drill small holes through the walls through which to insert dowell rods to support a removable floor. Then if desired, you could divide that top enclosure into two separate enclosures. That would probably mean using a heat mat to heat the bottom portion, and you'd need to add vents to the lower section. The (plexi)glass front would have to slide sideways or fold downward, though.

Rick