Acrylic Arboreal Enclosure

[Jamie Cooper]

DIY Acrylic Arboreal Enclosure.

This is my second attempt at working with acrylic. I have built 4 other Arboreal enclosures which are currently occupied and this is the first of 4 upgrades for when my spiders get a bit bigger.

The main structure is made entirely from 5mm Extruded Acrylic. Measuring 30 x 15 x 15cm. The hinges and hasps are also acrylic. All the sheets were cut to order and "diamond polished" by a supplier. The sheets are bonded together using a clear setting acrylic bonding solution, applied with a syringe and needle. The screen vents (2") are alluminium and attached with Aquarium Silicone.

I really enjoy building these. Acrylic is clearer, lighter and stronger than glass. The only downside is it does mark easily and scratches are difficult to buff out.

Jamie.

[Colin D Wilson]

Nice job Jamie, looks very professional.

[Jamie Cooper]

Thanks Colin!

I've had all the bits and pieces for weeks. I finally put some time aside at the weekend to put it all together. I have plans to build another 3. More coming soon!

Jamie

[Chris Barnard]

Nice one Jamie - looks fantastic. Diamond polished acrylic makes such a difference. What T are you planning to put in here?
I've just ordered some acrylic for a large arboreal enclosure 410 x 210 x 210. May build it this weekend.

[Jamie Cooper]

Thanks Chris. My poor photography doesn't do it justice! lol

I'm just planning ahead. I have 4 A.minatrix that will soon outgrow their current homes and occupy these in about 6 - 9 months.

I have just requested another quote from RED to build 3 more. Trying to resist buying more T's is difficult enough as it is without having empty enclosures sitting around! But what the hell!

I decided to keep the sides of the enclosure bare so I can stack rows of them side by side. That's why I put the vents on the door instead.

Jamie.

[Chris Barnard]

Makes sense. A row of enclosures side by side will look fantastic. I am not planning on having that many so will be putting vents on the sides. I cant wait for my pokies to grow a bit so I can put them in the new enclosures. I might need to wait for another two molts before the P regalis is big enough though. I know what you mean about empty enclosures, it seems such a waste to have them just sitting there looking at you LOL!
Once again - great job with this one Jamie.

[R Thomas]

Nice job Jamie,

I would be interested to know where you got the acrylic sheeting from and what it cost polished and cut.

For all those tempted to give it a go the following link may be worth viewing

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/spiders-inverts/460468-how-make-acrylic-terrarium.html

Posting it here so I know where to find it when I need it lol

Richard

[jasonbotting]

would you be willing to sell one? i have just started in tarantula keeping looking into keeping a pink toe

Thanks Colin!

I've had all the bits and pieces for weeks. I finally put some time aside at the weekend to put it all together. I have plans to build another 3. More coming soon!

Jamie

[Jamie Cooper]

Nice job Jamie,

I would be interested to know where you got the acrylic sheeting from and what it cost polished and cut.

For all those tempted to give it a go the following link may be worth viewing

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/spiders-inverts/460468-how-make-acrylic-terrarium.html

Posting it here so I know where to find it when I need it lol

Richard

Thank you Richard!

I got the acrylic sheet from an online supplier. They cut and polished the acrylic for about £22.00 including delivery. The acrylic fixings (hinges and hasps) are quite pricey too. I think they are about £2.00 per hinge/hasp. I can't really remember to be honest.

If you want contact details for the suppliers, just ask and I wil PM you.

Hope this helps.

Jamie

[Jamie Cooper]

would you be willing to sell one? i have just started in tarantula keeping looking into keeping a pink toe

Well Jason, it's your lucky day! I would definitely consider selling you one.

I will send you a PM

Jamie.

[Aaron Annal]

Hi Jamie i would also like the contact details for the suppliers of the Acrylic if you dont mind sending me a pm with the details
cheers