pros & cons: vivarium

[Porky Pig]

HI!

I need your opinion...
I have an old, clean 4ft x 2ft vivarium which was once used by my bearded dragon lizard when she was very young. See photo below.

What are the pros and cons of using this as a kind of a house for my young boar?

Obviously, I will remove all the fittings (light, heat) which were suitable for a reptile. It will be lined with linoleum for easy wiping/disinfecting, drill out a place for the water bottle and replace the glass doors with something else for ventilation.

At the moment, i'm using it as storage and am wondering whether I should give it away, sell it or put it to some use!

What do you think?

Porky's fussy mum

 

[boozyfruits]

if you changed the doors to ventilating ones, wouldn't it just be like a hutch, but inside?

 

[Porky Pig]

if you changed the doors to ventilating ones, wouldn't it just be like a hutch, but inside?

That's what I thought, but I was wondering if there's something I'm might be missing, like a really important downside to it.

 

[boozyfruits]

i'm sure a buddy will be along soon to advise
B

 

[Niki]

That's what I thought, but I was wondering if there's something I'm might be missing, like a really important downside to it.

I can't see a downside. It looks like it's made from melamine/contiboard, is the floor the same material? I've had hutches made from contiboard for my piggies & still use one for my bunnies. If the doors were meshed or similar i think it'd be perfect as a home for piggies

 

[Porky Pig]

It looks like it's made from melamine/contiboard, is the floor the same material?

Yes, but I'm planning to put lineoleum on it for easy cleaning/disinfecting. Do your piggies' wee affect the melamine/contiboard at all?

If the doors were meshed or similar i think it'd be perfect as a home for piggies

I was thinking the same - but not sure how to put mesh doors. Will probably ask a D.I.Y. person --- unless there's someone here who can instruct me!

 

[smithie]

i think it's a great idea to convert it Makes me want one now lol.

 

[Porky Pig]

i think it's a great idea to convert it

Lol! It IS a great idea - now I have the problem of transforming it from reptile vivarium to guinea pig home... I'm not a d.i.y. person and don't know where to start

Makes me want one now lol.

You mean a bearded dragon lizard or a vivarium or both?

 

[Niki]

Yes, but I'm planning to put lineoleum on it for easy cleaning/disinfecting. Do your piggies' wee affect the melamine/contiboard at all?

I wouldn't line with lino as wee may seep under. Their wee doesn't affect it in anyway because it's coated (i line my hutches with newspaper)

I was thinking the same - but not sure how to put mesh doors. Will probably ask a D.I.Y. person --- unless there's someone here who can instruct me!

My OH makes all my hutches, the doors are basic frames made from 2" x 1" wood & mesh (from wilkos) attached on the back. This is a basic door frame diagram he did for someone else

 

[Porky Pig]

I wouldn't line with lino as wee may seep under. Their wee doesn't affect it in anyway because it's coated (i line my hutches with newspaper)

Ok, noted.

This is a basic door frame diagram he did for someone else

wow... i sent you a pm.

 

[Porky Pig]

Thanks to Niki (and her husband's diagram), I have converted my reptile vivarium, 4ft x 2ft, into Porky's new home.

It is has MANY flaws but it is my VERY FIRST d.i.y. project of this kind.

The only thing I regret is making a "shelf"/ledge (like a second floor) made of wood. Porky is gnawing on it like crazy! There might not be any shelf left by the end of tonight! mallethead

See photos (while it's still neat and tidy!):-

 

[Niki]

I think Porky's new home is fantastic & well done to you!

Snoopy will be dead chuffed his instructions helped!