Constructing a Euopean type Vivarium Step by Step

[MajorNickmo]

As a total Newbie who just spent a bundle buyin' a pre-made viv, I'm really excited to see this finished...I'm pretty sure I can handle this :-)

[Darryl]

16. TOP VENT (PART 2)

• Carefully turn the viv upside down.




• Measure the width of the top of the viv, inside the sides.




• Cut x2 strips of 2mm glass, 15mm wide.
• The length should be just short of the top inside measurement.




• Apply a bead of silicon along the centre of each strip.




• Place the two strips (silicon side down) over the edges of the stainless steel mesh.
• Align the edges of the strips with the edges of the top vent of the viv.




• Press the two strips with a light, but firm pressure to bed them and the stainless steel mesh into the silicon
• Place a block or Cloth covered brick over the strips to weight them down.

17. Allow the silicone to cure for 4 hours.

These strips seal and protect the edges of the stainless steel mesh on the top mesh




18. DOORS (Tracks)
This stage requires two different types of “E” profile.
1. Bottom Profile (Shallow).
2. Top Profile (Deep), this is about twice as deep as the bottom profile.
The profile you use should match the thickness of glass, that you are going to use for the doors.




• Measure and cut a length of top (deeper) profile to fit under the top inside of the front of the viv.




• Check that the newly cut top profile fits in the top front of the viv, with abot a 1mm play on eack side.
• Make any adjustments if required.
• Apply a bead of silicon along the centre of the top profile.




• Carefully align the top track profile to the bottom front edge of the top and sides.





• Press the profile with a light, but firm pressure to bed it into the silicon.

[Riley]

Excellent posts Darryl! I have a few older tanks I'm going to break down and use to make a few of these for sure. If anyone else in the US is looking for E-profiles to make one check this out Brunner - aluminum channel, extruded aluminum angle, anodized aluminum shapes, aluminum pipe, bar, tube, square tubing connector,aluminum channel, extruded aluminum angle, anodized aluminum shapes, aluminum pipe, bar, tube, square tubing connector, a. I haven't had any luck finding these locally.

[housevibe7]

First of all I have to say this tutorial is amazing! THanks so much.

Ok, maybe this is coming but how do you froglet and ff proof the door? Obviously there will be a gap in between the two pieces of glass.

[Darryl]

My post below:

Silicon gasket between sliding doors

[housevibe7]

You know I had read that before but had completely forgotten about it. Thanks. Have you ever had a problem with the silicone eventually shearing off from the constant back and forth?

[Darryl]

Originally Posted by housevibe7

You know I had read that before but had completely forgotten about it. Thanks. Have you ever had a problem with the silicone eventually shearing off from the constant back and forth?

Not as yet, If you read the the orginal post, there is a very small gap between the gasket and the front glass. So there should be no significant friction on the gaskett to shear it off , even over a long period of use.

[kwazarr]

Awesome thread and really nice design! I'm happy that you decided to post up such details on here! I do have a couple of questions for you though:

1. Will the ventilation through the tank be done by way of fans or will it be more of a passive ventilation design?

2. Do you have a plan for dealing with the water that will eventually drip down through the front ventilation screen and out through the door strut?

Ross.

[nish07]

The point of the viv is to keep air flowing through that bottom vent and out the top one due to the heated air in the viv from the lights. Another person has put a heating cord under the vent section to further heat the air there and cause it to rise through the vent but that's not completely necessary. The air through the vent keeps the front glass clear of condensation so only mist should drip through. It probably wouldn't be much especially with the constant air flow.

-Nish

[Darryl]

20. BOTTOM TRACK
• Measure and cut a length of bottom (shallower) profile to fit on-top “L” profile of the door strut, in the front of the viv.



• Check that the newly cut bottom profile fits, with about a 1mm play on each side.
• Make any adjustments if required.
• Apply a bead of silicon along the centre of the front “L” profile above the door strut.



• Carefully align the bottom track profile to the front edge of the sides.



• Press the profile with a light, but firm pressure to bed it into the silicon.

21. Allow the silicone to cure for 4 -6 hours before trying to fit the doors.




22. DOORS
To work out the dimensions of the sliding doors, the following measurement are required to be taklen.
1. The internal width of the viv at the front.



2. The height between the top and bottom tracks.



3. The depth of the top track.




• Calculating the width if the two sliding doors:
1. Divide the internal width by 2.
2. Add 5mm to the above result.
3. The final result is the width measurement for each of the two sliding doors
The 5mm added to each door, result in the overlap, when the doors are placed in the tracks.

• Calculating the height if the two sliding doors:
1. Add the depth of the top track and the height between the top and bottom tracks.
2. Subtract 2mm to the above result.
3. The final result is the height measurement for each of the two sliding doors
The 2mm deduction allows just enough clearance when lifting the doors in and out of the tracks.





23. FITTING THE DOORS

• Before fitting the doors, make sure that all the edges have been rubbed down properly.
• Pay a little more attention to the corners of each door, ensure that they are rounded off and smooth.
• Take a small block of pure bees wax and lightly rub it along the top and bottom edges of each door.
• Check that there are no obstructions in the tracks.

The doors are fitted in a sequence; this sequence is used in reverse when you want to remove the doors.
A. Hold the First door by the sides.
B. Insert the top edges into the top track channel furthest from the front.
C. Lightly push the door all the way, up into the track.


D. Gently swing the bottom of the door over bottom track.
E. The door should just clear the bottom track.


F. Position the door over the furthest channel in the bottom track.
G. Carefully lower the door in the channel.


H. The door should now sit in the both the top and bottom track and slide side to side.



Repeat the above steps to insert the other door into the channel closest to the front.




To remove the doors, this process is followed in reverse.



24. At this stage you have a complete working viv.

25. But there are a few additions that can be made to improve the ways that the doors seal.

26. DOOR SIDE CHANNELS

27. DOOR OVERLAP GASKET