Sooo, Nefarian is outgrowing his small storebought cave and i've been trying to think of ways, or find a realistic looking cave that fits him and will fit him for some times to come. Lol, he actually liked the make-shift shelter made out of his hammock, some reptile carpeting and acouple of books lining the walls of his aquarium.

Also, as he's still recovering from the calcium deficiency he has a harder time climbing on things still. Any ideas on things to do with his habbitat to make it more homely. He really doesn't have much, just a cave, a little pond and a hammock. It's a 50 or 55 gal? Can't remember what size the standard is, in either case... any ideas? I'll see about some pictures of the current.

My best cave for my beardie is the one I made. I have seen other ppl put their own spin on it and do great too.

Basically I took some slate tiles broke them to make two sets of steps, grouted them together then placed a whole tile on top. Then used some aquarium sealent over the grout where require (remeber to off gass).



can bask...


and hide


only disadvantage is that it is heavy

BTW
50 gal is 36"L x 18"W x 19"H
55 gal is 48"L x 13"W x 21"H

go to the D.I.Y areas i just posted some threads on how to make similar things your self might give you some ideas

yea ppl use all sorts for hides, I have seen ferret hides used, half plant pots, etc and then what wookie has done seems to be a common thing. we have a ledge built in for basking then bark which they tend to hide under... barks just a bugger to clean... thing is if you do something like wookie has, you can adapt it so its not such a climb for him to go bask on top... longer thinner steps etc its your design.

what does your bd like to do? coz everyones is different and it may help you be more creative if you think about the stuff he enjoys to do and how you can adapt stuff to help him do it.
may help us too :)

Hm.... thinking on the lines of Wookie's cave. How did you break the slate though? Hammer? Throw it on the ground? an actual cutting tool? Lol, He likes to run, use to climb alittle but until he is completely recovered he can't do too much. (I saw him standing, well sitting, but i mean using his back legs to prop himself up abit the other day! Big step for him since my stroke of new reptile owner stupidity led him to have this problem to start with =(. Atleast it's getting better =O) Anywho, I think i'll design something and have it ready for when I figure out how to break the slate without killing myself in the process.

you can cut it (wet saws work best imo), but I used a hammer and masonry chisel. Safety glasses might be a good idea...
Just tap along the edges with the hammer after to blunt the edges.

sounds easy

Hammer and chisel eh? Lol, i'll have something to do I guess =D. Yeah, we had a wet saw borrowed from my grandfather here awhile ago... Pity, around the time i started thinking about the cave made out of slate (after seeing yours originally) we gave the saw back... go figure!

take pics when u finish

Lol, i'm STILL working on the design. I want it to last him awhile but also fit in the current tank which i'm likely to dispose of, or just put away, when he gets big enough that i need to make a bigger one...,

yup big tanks r a must.

I can make ceramic hides :3 general-reptile-f81/topic654.html