Projects uroMAMEstyx & uroVIVAstyx

Discussion in 'Uromastyx' started by superbigjay, Mar 17, 2007.

  1. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

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    85
    Re: RE: uroVIVAstyx : fake wall installation trial

    Thanks 00luke00,
    I currently putting the 1st coat of stain/varnish on the viv right now.
    I've finised the upper level module.

    I just took a break to eat a gigantic steak with some veggies (at 21h00 :x )

    And going back to the workshop in a few minutes...

    I'll post some pic later tonight...

    LOL :D
    if you still don't now, just keep following this thread. More pictures will come and you will eventually see it...

    Cheers!
    Jay
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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    5,483
     
  3. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    uroVIVAstyx : first coat of stain/varnish

    Heeeeellllo!

    I just finished the first coat of stain/varnish. I'm using Maxithane from Sico, which is a combined stain/varnish.

    Don't worry about the "toxicity" of the varnish, I'll let it cure for at least 10 days, while I do the testing for the temp zone and decoration...

    I expect to give 2 or 3 coats, depending of the color after the second coat...

    So here's a picture...
    [​IMG]
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. aaron157

    aaron157 Member

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    RE: uroVIVAstyx : first coat of stain/varnish

    you should go ahead and use a water based varnish for the final coat just to be safe. Minwax makes a water based clear coat that I use with my custom cages, it comes in a blue can as apposed to a gold one.
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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    5,483
     
  7. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    Re: RE: uroVIVAstyx : first coat of stain/varnish

    I don't know for varnish, but for regular paint, you can put oil based paint over water base, but can't do water on oil. you usually have to put a oil primer, then your water base.

    I'm afraid that the water base minwax won't stick properly...

    I'll probably have at least 2 weeks of cure time, with the heating on to let the varnish cure. that should be enough right??

    Jay
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

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    85
    uroVIVAstyx : second coat of varnish/stain completed...

    Quick Monday update.

    I finished last night the second coat of varnish/stain.
    I'll see tonight if I need a third one on the visible sides (depending on the color).

    I read the instruction on the Maxithane and they say I can add Sico Crystalex varnish to seal it.

    This is a good news since that varnish is odorless and water based (mix of urethane and acrylic), which is safer than the maxithane.

    I might also go with the minwax recommended by dragonguy, since it should becompatible too...

    I should receive my windows track early this week, so the project should progress rapidly this week...

    Jay
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  11. aaron157

    aaron157 Member

    Messages:
    294
    RE: uroVIVAstyx : second coat of varnish/stain completed...

    The water base should work over any stain, I used to use it over oil based stain in shop class back in the day :)
     
  12. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

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    85
    RE: uroVIVAstyx : second coat of varnish/stain completed...

    Cool, I'll try it tomorrow night...
    Jay
     
  13. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    Re: RE: uroVIVAstyx : second coat of varnish/stain completed

    I finally bought the minwax like you recommended. That stuff is great:
    - almost no odor (don't need a breathing mask)
    - fast drying time between coat (2hrs)
    - easy to apply
    - works on oil based varnish/stain
    - clean with water... yeah!

    I put 1 good coat everywhere to seal the Maxithane
    I then add another coat for the exterior (with fine sanding).

    I've received the sliding window tracks today.
    I'll order all the 10 pieces of glass tomorrow.
    I'll post some pics later.

    That's it for now...

    Jay
     
  14. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    uroVIVAstyx progress

    Here’s the latest status of the vivarium.

    - I still didn’t ordered the glass. I’ll try to do this today.
    - Varnish/Stain is done.
    - The sliding window tracks are installed.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    What’s next?
    - access ramp + "landing platform" to keep sand on the 2nd floor ;-)
    - install glass
    - install fans + digitaldoc5
    - install ceramic lamp sockets + dimmers + timers
    - wire that thing!
    - install cover
    - give that thing to the girlfriend for the final touch!!!

    PS:
    I might have to change the location from the main living room the the dinning room.
    That thing looks way bigger than what I planned and won’t look good in the living room.
    However, the other spot I found in the dinning room will be perfect.
    Again, stay tune for more pics...

    Jay
     
  15. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

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    85
    uroVIVAstyx: glasses ready to install!!

    Hello everyone!

    my 2 projects were progressing slowly in the last 2 weeks...
    here an update. I intend to finish everything next weekend and start temp testing + decorate that thing!!!

    Here's where I am with my uroVIVAstyx project

    The location
    ----------------------------------------
    The vivarium is definitively too big to go in the living room. I already decided (with my girlfriend authorization) to install the vivarium in the dining room which is right next to my living room.

    The glass is ready to install!
    ----------------------------------------
    I have install 1/4in quarter round molding for all fixed windows (3 per level, 6 total). Instead of nails, I used polyurethane glue (gorilla glue). This is almost as strong as epoxy and can basically glue anything together. Since the wood was already stain, this was the way to go...
    As you see on the picture, that glue generate some "foam" when it cures. However, you can sand it off afterward (wood is forgiving)
    [​IMG]
    On the next picture, you can see a close up of the glass molding.
    [​IMG]


    The top of the vivarium is installed
    ----------------------------------------
    I installed the top of the enclosure today.
    [​IMG]

    I already have some pics of the sliding glass, but I keep them for later
    :D

    Good night!!!
    Jay
     
  16. Nines

    Nines Member

    Messages:
    144
    It's really taking shape. Looks great. I've had a fun time following your progress. Can't wait to see it with the glass and hardware installed. :D
     
  17. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    uroVIVAstyx : need advice!!!

    Quick morning update...

    Last night, I installed the side glasses. I'll post some pictures tomorrow night.

    --------------------------------------
    LIGHTING/HEATING
    --------------------------------------
    This morning I planned the lamp sockets location (4 per level, 8 total)
    Level 1:
    - uvb light (daytime timer)
    - basking light (daytime timer)
    - compact fluorescent (twist) for lighting only (daytime timer)
    - ceramic heater (dimmer, always on)
    Level 2:
    - uvb light (daytime timer)
    - basking light (daytime timer)
    - compact fluorescent (twist) for lighting only (daytime timer)
    - regular incandescent 25W/40W/60W/100W? (dimmer+daytime timer)

    POLL :
    Do you think this will be flexible enough to achieve the right temps??
    Any recommendations??
    Is 1 main timer switch + 2 dimmer sufficient?

    That 2 story vivarium might be tricky to "balance"

    --------------------------------------
    TEMP monitoring
    --------------------------------------
    This morning I also planned the temp probe locations (4 per level, 8 total)
    Level 1 and level 2:
    - cold side (ambient probe) : controls the cold side fan if temp exceed "cold threshold"
    - middle (ambient probe)
    - hot side (ambient probe) : controls the hot side fan is temp exceed "hot threshold"
    - basking probe (surface probe) ***

    I don't know if the surface probe will work. I'll glue the probe to the basking platform and might also use a small aluminum/metal piece to help with heat transfer from the rock/ceramic to the probe. The I'll use my exotic pro temp gun to compare with the digitaldoc5 probe reading to see how off I am with that probe. I might end up remove that probe if it doesn't work...

    As for the 6 ambient probes, I'll mount them in some decorative accessories (fake cactus, wood, ...), so they'll be hidden (or camouflage...)

    Stay tune, I'll post some pics soon...
    Jay
     
  18. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    uroVIVAstyx : its final location!!!

    Hello, Monday morning update...

    I didn't do everything I wanted to this weekend. (big surprise... :roll: )

    Here's what I did:

    Install and wire all 8 lamp sockets. Connected like this:
    ==============================================
    . Level 1 60W regular lamp 60w (light + heat) : connected on daytime timer
    . Level 1 26W reptiglo 10.0 (uvb) : connected on daytime timer
    . Level 1 150W basking lamp (bask) : connected on daytime timer + dimmer2
    . Level 1 150W ceramic heater : connected on dimmer 1 (always on)
    . Level 2 60W regular lamp 60w (light + heat) : connected on daytime timer
    . Level 2 reptiglo 10.0 (uvb) : connected on daytime timer
    . Level 2 100W basking lamp (bask) : connected on daytime timer
    . Level 2 heater (heat : none for now) : always on + connected on dimmer 3

    depending on the temps results, I might:
    - ... change the 60W regular lamp for 40W or compact fluo if temps are too high
    - ... turn off the ceramic heater
    - ... swap the 150W basking lamp for a 100W.
    - ... adjust the intensity of the heaters and/or 150W basking light
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Install the 4 sliding windows
    ==============================================
    You can see on this pic the HW going on the glass. There're the 2 glasses, the rubber, the rollers and the plastic guides.
    [​IMG]

    Install the digitaldoc5 (temp control station)
    ==============================================
    I've installed the temp station. Here's a pic of the vivarium at its final location:
    [​IMG]

    I still have to connect the fans (3 out of 4 remaining) and temp probes (8), which I'll do tonight.

    Then I'll do the access ramp, basking sites and eating site and my gorgeous girlfriend will start the decoration.

    Stay tune!!!

    Jay
     
  19. Drache613

    Drache613 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,725
    Awesome

    Hello,

    I have been watching your thread also. I admire you for putting so much time & effort into your project. Your Uros will be absolutely positively spoiled rotten! That is so awesome, it looks great! :)
    Don't forget to post pics when you have your Uros in it, all scampering around!

    Tracie
     
  20. beezneez

    beezneez Member

    Messages:
    753
    RE: Awesome

    That looks really good. It goes in nicely with your dining room
     
  21. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    uroVIVAstyx : weekend progress... almost there!!!

    Hello Everyone, here the end of weekend update!!!
    I'm almost done. I should be able to get the uros in about 1 week... yeah!

    After a few hours (many hours) of work, I finally completed the wiring clean up. This is a long process, but with that many wires, you don't really have a choice. The good part: I didn't screw anything while doing it. Here's a pic of what it looks like once cleaned up..
    [​IMG]

    Then, as recommended by you guys, I added protection to the wooden floors. I simply use auto-adhesive vinyl. This is cheap and easy to replace. I'll see that in a few months if this is ok...
    [​IMG]

    The next step : than digitaldoc alarm!!! As soon as the temps exceed by 5 degrees the threshold, the digital doc starts beeping. This is really annoying and since there's a visual warning on the LCD, I decided to mute that thing!!!
    I disassemble the whole thing, got my soldering iron ready and was ready to remove the piezo electric speaker when I notice there was a jumper right next to it. After looking at the electrical traces on the PCB, it was clear that was the sound bypass!!! That wasn't in the manual!!!
    So I removed it, re-assemble the thing. Took the air dryer and in a few seconds :
    Visual warning and no sound. GREAT!

    I also did some testing to slow down the fans. The 120mm fan are spinning at 2000rpm. A bit too fast and way too noisy. By adding a 60 ohms resistors on its power, thus reducing it from 12V to roughly 6V, the fan spins slowly and quietly. However, the resistors I had were 1/4W and I'll need 1W resistors (P = V^2/R = 6*6/60 = 0.6W). I'll get them Wednesday.
    [​IMG]

    Next step : keep the sand in the sand area.
    I'm adding a small row of 2"x2" tiles right next to the sliding windows. This should prevent most of the sand to get in the window tracks. I also did the "lips" for the access ramp opening to prevent sand falling on the second floor. Those lips cover 3 sides of the opening. The last side is covered by a slate where the uro will "land" when exiting the ramp. I intend to use a similar slate on the fist floor for the food area...
    You can see on the picture 2 probes (cold and middle sections). Also the rock background are re-installed... Hooray!!!
    [​IMG]

    The last thing I did was the access ramp. It's all wood and I used polyurethane glue to assemble it. I still have to sand the glue residue (foamy stuff) and add some glue+sand to make it look like rock!!! (well sand...)
    [​IMG]



    Well, the project is almost done.
    So keep posted!

    Cheers
    Jay.
     
  22. redzombie40

    redzombie40 New Member

    Messages:
    137
    RE: uroVIVAstyx : weekend progress... almost there!!!

    wow jay you sure are doing a great job, i've been watching this whole project from the start and its lookin really good.
     
  23. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    uroVIVAstyx : we got our first tenant : MOLLY!!!

    Hello Everyone,

    I finally finished my part of the project and transferring it to my girlfriend.
    She'll take care of doing the finishing touch.

    We finally have our first tenant : Molly. She's terrific, but the vivarium that seems so big, is a bit too small. I thinks, I just get 2 smaller uros later...

    Keep posted, we'll have some finished pictures soon!!!

    [​IMG]

    Jay!
     
  24. Ziltoid

    Ziltoid Embryo

    Messages:
    22
    RE: uroVIVAstyx : we got our first tenant : MOLLY!!!

    Beautiful vivarium man. You've given me some great ideas for my next set up.
     
  25. superbigjay

    superbigjay New Member

    Messages:
    85
    Re: RE: uroVIVAstyx : we got our first tenant : MOLLY!!!

    I'm happy if you found some ideas in this project. If you have any questions, feel free to ask...

    The viv is now complete and ready to host the lizards. I'll post some pics later...

    Jay
     

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