Enclosures . suggestions ?

[skar]

I really like the looks of the acrylic enclosures I see but I hate the price.
I've got containers from walmart for 2-3$ with holes in them for now.
However they look as cheap as they are. plus they won't be for the entire
life of the T.s - What do you use, like, recommend ?

 

[jgod790]

Well the regular glass aquariums look really nice. They cost more then kritter keepers, or plastic shoe boxes, but there cheaper then acrylic. If you get a standard 10 gallon tank, with no lid, about 20-30 bucks, lids cost 12-25 bucks. Or you can get one that comes with a slide on lid, they usually cost around 35 bucks, and that's including lid. Or of course you can get the plastic kritter keepers, they look better then the plastic shoe boxes. Depending what size kritter keeper you get, the smallest are like 8 bucks, and the largest are 25. And of course kritter keepers come with lids. I personally use/recommend any of these. Depending how much money is in my wallet at the time. I like the glass aquariums the best, but can't always afford them. But if your low on cash, but still want a good looking enclosure, I'd say go with a kritter keeper.

 

[grayzone]

im really tiggin TalonAWDs enclosures... pretty straight forward yet BEAUTIFUL. he even has step by step tutorials and videos on youtube as to how to do some of the cool stuff... you could make a tricked out enlcosure for 20 to 40 bux ... assuming you dont have some of the stuff layin around. i too agree there is some beautiful acrylics out there, and have even tried my luck in makin a few, however , that is an artform best left to the pros to say the least... PLUS, glass doesn't scratch too easily... i suggest checkin his stuff out usin the search function, or search around you tube

 

[Hobo]

Unless you get 'em used or something, those Exo-terras are fairly pricey.
Around here, they are at least as expenive as those acrylic enclosures.

 

[grayzone]

not sure if that was directed to me hobo, but i totally agree.... exoterras can be steep, but i was referring to the 2 and 5 gal glass aquariums that can be found for around 10 to 15 bux. he does real cool stuff with those stood on end and styrofoam and the "GREAT STUFF" brand spray foam/insulation... i think its pretty neat, as its sorta like an artform. an expression of creativity i suppose ... im a builder by trade so thats right up my alley i post this because talonawd uses both, and i was unsure of the comment .

 

[astraldisaster]

If you mean acrylic enclosures like the ones sold at tarantulacages.com and tarantulahomes.com, I love those too but can't afford to buy too many. If I had the necessary skills, tools, and space, I'd love to make some custom lids like these to put on regular 5 and 10-gallon tanks.

I did recently find these containers that are perfect for juvenile arboreal and burrowing species. Drill some holes, and voila. Oh, and these shoeboxes are AWESOME for terrestrials! They even come with pre-drilled holes.

 

[Obijuan56]

I generally just use kritter keepers because they are cheap and look fairly nice though I have gone to fish stores and picked up 10 gallon aquariums for like $5, then just get a lid at like petco for $10, really cheap way to get a big enclosure.

 

[grayzone]

If you mean acrylic enclosures like the ones sold at tarantulacages.com and tarantulahomes.com, I love those too but can't afford to buy too many. If I had the necessary skills, tools, and space, I'd love to make some custom lids like these to put on regular 5 and 10-gallon tanks.

I did recently find these containers that are perfect for juvenile arboreal and burrowing species. Drill some holes, and voila. Oh, and these shoeboxes are AWESOME for terrestrials! They even come with pre-drilled holes.

i agree those lids are quite attractive, however wit a lil time and work ya can make a masterpiece for around the same cost.. i highly reccomend checkin out that guys (talonawd's) ideas/ method.... not leg riding lol just givin credit when its due.

 

[Jerm357]

I agree, I love the 5.5g-10g aquarium route, I believe building cages is a major part of the hobby... check out some of my first runs at building arboreal cages... http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=184489

They don't do anything but get better with experience. I do have a few plexiglass cages and I still prefer the ones I make myself with aquariums. The enclosure is only half the battle, its what you furnish the inside with that counts to me. I know there not the best, but every one I make is better than the one before it.

 

[Obijuan56]

as soon as I can get some more money I am gonna make my 10 gallon tank into a double enclosure, thinking about housing 2 avics right next to eachother, of course I would separate them and have 2 different lids for each side, but I think it is going to look nice.

 

[skippy]

the container store has some pretty awesome clear plastic shoeboxes that i like to use, several different sizes available too and the biggest one is only $12-14 i believe.

 

[skar]

If you mean acrylic enclosures like the ones sold at tarantulacages.com and tarantulahomes.com, I love those too but can't afford to buy too many. If I had the necessary skills, tools, and space, I'd love to make some custom lids like these to put on regular 5 and 10-gallon tanks.

I did recently find these containers that are perfect for juvenile arboreal and burrowing species. Drill some holes, and voila. Oh, and these shoeboxes are AWESOME for terrestrials! They even come with pre-drilled holes.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am digging these containers very clean
and similar to what I am looking for. Yes I was referring to the ones like on
tarantulacages.com .
I will be checking out Talonawd and see what you are referring to grayzone.
I have one exoterra 12 x12x 12 but as said price is to high .

Agreed with jerm357 part of having T.s is presentation of the setup.
killer responses thx

 

[Hobo]

not sure if that was directed to me hobo, but i totally agree.... exoterras can be steep, but i was referring to the 2 and 5 gal glass aquariums that can be found for around 10 to 15 bux. he does real cool stuff with those stood on end and styrofoam and the "GREAT STUFF" brand spray foam/insulation... i think its pretty neat, as its sorta like an artform. an expression of creativity i suppose ... im a builder by trade so thats right up my alley i post this because talonawd uses both, and i was unsure of the comment .

Yes it was, but I completely forgot that he does regular aquariums too (I've actually made one inspired by his enclosures, making my forgetfulness even more stupid)!
So, yes you are right, you can make a very nice enclosure for cheap with just an old aquarium and styrofoam.

 

[caaraa]

not sure if that was directed to me hobo, but i totally agree.

 

[Motorkar]

Glass terarrium, real bark(oak) and bark hides and wood peaces, some live plants all the way! Don't know how are the prices of glass terarriums on the expos in the usa, but here we had expo in Slovenia at the start of the month and they sold like 5-20 euros, those a bit more expensive had even backdrop in them. I boght mine for P. regalis for 16 euros, measured 35x25x50 cm, ventilation on top and ventilation hole on the bottom wich comes trough the glass barrier on wich is another ventilation net and it has sliding doors though all other enclosures I have the doors open vertically, it is really awsome to do maintainance this way and you don't need to put all kinds of locks and be scared if any spider getsd away becouse the weight of the door is pushing them down. My B. smithi was so frustrated becouse she couldn't open them, she started to bite the glass !

 

[Hobo]

not sure if that was directed to me hobo, but i totally agree.

It was directed to grayzone, whom I quoted this time. My previous post was as well.
You haven't even posted in this thread before now, so I don't see how you would think it was directed at you.:?
This post is partly adressed to you, however.:clap:

Below is adressed to the OP.

I forgot to mention that you can hit up some LPSs (LFSs seem to have them quite often) and ask if they have any leaky aquariums or something. You can get a bargain price, and with some interior decorating, there's your awesome looking enclosure.

 

[Musicwolf]

For aquariums . . . . I shop garage sales. I'm not saying it'll work for everyone, but where I live there are so many garage sales every Saturday that I never pay more than $3.00 for a ten gallon aquarium - I have 20 in my garage right now. I also regularly find things to be repurposed for Ts as well. People have no idea what I do with all of my "treasures."