Ultimate DIY Tegu Enclosure
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- čas přidán 15. 05. 2019
- Learn how to build the Ultimate Tegu Enclosure
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/ @somethingjackmakes
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#Tegu #onedaybuild #reptile
💵Project Cost - $550💵
🔨 Materials
✔️0.75" x 4' x 8' Melamine - 4 - www.lowes.com/pd/Melamine-Boa...
✔️0.5"x 4' x 8' Plywood - 1 - www.lowes.com/pd/Plytanium-15...
✔️2" by 4"s - 15 - www.lowes.com/pd/2-in-x-4-in-...
✔️1" by 2"s - 16 - www.lowes.com/pd/Common-1-in-...
✔️ 1" by 3"s - 8 - www.lowes.com/pd/Common-1-in-...
✔️2.5" Drywall Screws - 1 box - www.lowes.com/pd/Grip-Rite-8-...
✔️1.25 " Drywall screws - 1 box - www.lowes.com/pd/Grip-Rite-6-...
✔️0.75" Modified Truss Screw - 1 box - www.lowes.com/pd/Pro-Twist-8-...
✔️1.24" Pocket Hole screws - 1 box - www.lowes.com/pd/Kreg-Pocket-...
✔️Pond Liners - 2 - www.lowes.com/pd/MacCourt-26-...
✔️3" Casters - 4 - www.lowes.com/pd/TITAN-3-in-R...
✔️Chicken Wire - 1 roll - www.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Zone-...
✔️Edge Banding - 1 roll - www.lowes.com/pd/Actual-00-02...
✔️Hinges - 8 - www.lowes.com/pd/National-Har...
✔️Gate Latch - 4 - www.lowes.com/pd/National-Har...
✔️Flex Seal - 1 can - www.lowes.com/pd/Flex-Seal-32...
✔️Glass - Bought second hand online - check Facebook Market Place or Craigslist
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Music: JPB-High by NCS
• JPB - High | Trap | NC...
Total Project Cost for this Enclosure - $550
List of materials used in description with links
Something Jack Makes hello sir. What is demensions of this cage? Is it fit an adult tegu? I'm asking just curious. But that's look so good. Do you have it on sale? Or just show people how to do it?
Nguyen Pham hello there. Glad you like it. It is 8 feet long. 4 feet wide and 4 feet higher. With the base it brings the total enclosure to 6 feet higher. I do not sell them just have the video to inspire people to build their own.
Something Jack Makes do you put the subtrate in already? Because I see the bottom is little low so I'm curious how you put substrate in
Nguyen Pham the substrate goes across the bottom. And the deeper pool is full for digging and burrowing.
Something Jack Makes so this enclosure will fit an adult tegu with max size around 4ft right? Can you measure temp and humidity well inside?
Pro: Now I got really inspired to build a big tegu enclosure!
Con: I can't even put together an IKEA chair by pictures. I don't have a lizard :-|
🤣
The only time ive ever seen anyone use flex seal for an actual build project😂
I'm actually sitting here with Flexseal in front of me doing an enclosure and thinking.... "I'm not sure about this, let me check CZcams". And... I'm still not sure about this! :)
It is actually mad useful for waterproofing stuff
Me to 🤣
Its weird because its pet safe we used it on my tortoise enclosure to help hold in humidity
Your Tegu's enclosure is nicer than my apartment.
yeah I wonder how much the rent is in that enclosure
@@vixtion9180 my Savannah monitor told me it's only 80 a month
@@user-cg4hx1kp5r Oh well Im in! Lemme get my stuff from my parents basement
Use it as motivation😂
This is so cool thanks for sharing!
You could make big money 💴 by building and selling these
new york be like: $400,000 to live in here for a month
Hahaha yeah it’s probably bigger then some NYC apartments
Now THAT is a proper-sized tegu enclosure! ❤ Nice to see they have lots of windows, too. They're very intelligent animals and it's good to give them the ability to watch what's going on outside their enclosure. I love the elevated height of the cage as well, and thr whole thing looks super legit and sturdy! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Very, very, very nice build! My question is are you able to maintain the humidity levels in the tank with the tub of water and the moist substrate bowl? Would you ever consider lining the tank and putting mulch throughout?
Gatør haven’t had much trouble. I have put in some more mulch around on the floor to help too. And I mist from time to time
This is an amazing video, I am so glad I found this. I'm coming up on getting my first tegu, and while I can't copy this build as I'm lacking in the tools and skill required, this gives me some ideas. The fact you have 23 subscribers actually offends me, I realize this is some REALLY niche stuff for the more advanced reptile hobbyist but still! Excellent work man.
Maleok that’s I really appreciate that.
Amazing build! You make it look so easy. I like the way you explain yourself during your process, and how you think about what you're going to do.
Coral Gene thanks. Glad you enjoyed it
This was extremely helpful, thank you so much!! I’d love to eventually see an update for what it looks like now with some finishing touches
Jaclyn Duellman thanks. Glad you like it. Unfortunately the tegu belonged to my girlfriend at them time but we are no longer together. So the tank is no longer in my possession 😕
@@SomethingJackMakes good to see your more upset where the tank went than the mrs lmao
Beautiful build! I love seeing builds like these!
Charles Chen thanks!!!
Thank you for showing me how to build a big terrarium for a tegu this will comw in handy for wheni get one. 👍
Gio Baa-Barbarino you’re welcome. Glad I could help!
Just bought a red tegu. He's just a few months old and I'm starting early on planning for a big cage (house) for him. Thanks for your video. Helps out alot.
Dan Lilly glad it helps. Tegus are lots of fun to keep.
1/3 of the way thru this video and I'm thinking to myself wow this really is the ultimate enclosure!! Nice job!!
Devin Ringle thanks glad you like it
Nice Video, your Audio Mixdown is great man
Beautiful work. EXCELLENT craftsmanship sir!
Can I hire you to come to my house and just build my whole dang life for me 😫
But really...Such an amazing build♥️
Bushy-Tail Wildlife Rescue hahaha sure I’ll be right over. Glad you liked it!
My only critique would have been to raise everything at least a foot while creating raised platforms for the water. That way you could have given Maria at least a foot a substrate through out the entire enclose.
She has no traction to walk on melamine and she loves to dig. Very nice box though! I've been sniffing out moniters for a while now and your design with a couple personal mods is definitely going in the archive!
Well done!
Nite Owl thanks. Yes I agree some modifications to allow for more substrate would be good.
This is awesome.
I just subscribed
Wow! What a beautiful enclosure!! Thanks for the video. I would love to see another video of what you decide to do to the inside.
Thanks! Glad you liked it. Unfortunately the lizard belonged to my girlfriend at the time and we are no longer together. So I don’t have access to the lizard any more.
Wonderful!!!! Hope to come back to this video once I finally get a tegu!!! You're awesome!
msfelixcristy thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!!
I can see a ton of thought went into this, great job!!
Thanks! Glad you liked it!!
Thank you. We have been thinking about getting a Tegu for a few years now. I will need a bigger enclosure than my Common Boa, and your build gives me some good ideas.
Joe JoeLesh thanks. Glad I could help!
this is such a good build, so impressed with what you have thought to do all ways around
Mitchell Visser thanks! I appreciate that. Glad you like it
great video, would love to see updates as you experiment with how to set up the interior! Have a red myself and its always fun changing up the his setup.
It's so not his animal it's his ex gf
Nice build man, you provide a great example of working smarter and not harder
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Well done dude. You imagined it and delivered.
Bravo.
Thanks! I really appreciate that!
intelligently built, you tought of everything , this make me want a Tegu even more ! and the use of Flex Seal was perfect! Flex Seal is a good product tbh, i like it!
I love these guys.
such a great build!! i might actually use this video as reference for an avery i wanna build for two doves, because the measurements are roughly the same and with chicken wire on the walls instead of glass windows itd make for a beautiful avery!! even the built in bath is perfect for birds too!
That One Channel I Use To Write Comments thanks! Glad you like it. That would be a really cool variation on the build.
Amazing job
Sweet build! But that horrendous stock music has got to go.
Right?!?!? So terrible or at least put volume lower lol
it made me litterally want to puke I heard it so many times it was soo loud
yes
And this is precisely why I can't own a tegu: I live in a trailer and I would need to clear half-ish of my kitchen out to fit the enclosure into it. Also, if I'm living in a trailer you can imagine how much money is made a year in my case. A tegu would be out of my price range. It's unfortunate but whatever, I'll just get a jumping spider instead.
save a dollar a day if you have to idk best of luck
You ever get that jumping spider? You could also get a smaller tarantula, like a green bottle blue.
i wish i was this handy
Amazing job mate.
Thanks!! Glad you liked it.
This is sooo cool. I'd never be able to do this. Great job!!
Rachel Heisler thanks glad you like it. And sure you could make it. Just need a few simple tools. Whole project could be done with a jig saw and a drill.
@@SomethingJackMakes thanks for the encouragement!! 😹😹
Good job!!! I like it. Thank you for sharing this video
Thanks!! Glad you liked it!
Very cool !!!!
Awesome build sir! I am looking into getting a Argentine black and white tegu in the future. It wont be for a while yet. I have to have my own place and more experience with lizards! Thank u so much for doing this! Looks amazing!
Leen thank you. I’m glad you liked it
awesome job! Follow up after you have the plants in.
Deann Frey thanks glad you liked it!
Really really nice build
Orange6uy 1 thanks. Glad you liked it !
This is a bad ass enclosure and assembly video!!! Love it
Thanks. Glad you liked it
You earned it!! In the next few months I'm going to have to build an 8x4x4 enclosure as well for my little "Dragon" (black and white tegu).
@@thomasanson6033 good luck on the build. I’m sure it’s going to turn out great.
Thank you so much!!
@@thomasanson6033 you’re welcome!
She’s one lucky tegu such a great cage well done 👍
Gemma Howell thanks!!! Glad you like it
Thinking about getting a Red Tegu, Thx 4 help!!!
Glad it helped!!! Thanks.
wow nice job...beautiful tegu!
Thanks! Glad you liked it
I can really appreciate the work you put into it, but some of the materials chosen and the aesthetics leave allot to he desired. Oh well. 5/7
S G thanks for the feed back. I tried to choose materials best for the animal. But at the end of the day it is a big white box. There are definitely ways to spruce it up
you're an impressive carpenter
Thanks I appreciate that!
Cool build. Nice Work:)
Herping Bros thanks !
Sweet!
Incredible job dude (cage is a lil bare tho), you can tell he really does care about his animals
Stoned asf Clarence thanks! Glad you like it. I agree the tank looks bare in this video. It was intended to show how to build the enclosed not necessarily how to set it up on the inside
Awesome enclosure man 👍👍👍👍👍
Heidi Stewber thanks. I appreciate that
Dang this thing is dope
Tj Hultquist thanks! Glad you like it!!
Super nice work 👍👍👍
Asil/Aseel USA thanks! Glad you liked it!!
Great job 👍🏻
Thanks. Glad you liked it
Nice, I have a big grow tent and it has saved so much time and effort. Would still consider a build at some point, perhaps for an outside summer enclosure!
Ted 🦎
Thanks! Outside enclosures are always good. Can’t beat natural sun shine.
Tremendous enclosure
Thanks! Glad you like it!
Imma copy this
The best😍😍😍
Yeah I used flex seal for mine, but been recently having lighting and basking areas cause mine is an adult male red tegu and his temp gotta be super dupa high lmao higher then I can get.
I have watched many videos and looked at many diy tegu enclosures online and this is by far the best in my opinion.
I just bought some of the materials today to get started.
Thank you very much for sharing, I hope I can replicate it ok. :)
Lycanlena thanks! That means a lot. I’m glad you like it. I’m sure you’ll be able to build a great enclosure!
Hello! Did you end up building one? I'm thinking about getting a Tegu, it'll be a great reason for me to invest and use power tools :D
@@jonathanvega1779 I did and it is pretty good! I changed the design of the front because of the size of the glass I had but I will redo it down the road because my doors are too large. The only downside I can think of for this enclosure is that it does not keep the humidity much, even with a good substrate. But it's ok, I mist my tegu a couple times a day at least.
Thats great! I saw other videos using a big plant thing, forgot what they're called, but I might just use that for starters. Can't wait to finally get my Tegu :D
@@jonathanvega1779 tegus are amazing so I could not recommend them more! 😄
Awesome job
Inda coma thanks!
When you click on a diy thinking it’s something any person can do then realize this guy is like a professional carpenter 🥴
I’m far from a professional lol. But I appreciate the compliment!
Ausome setup . Personally i would like more to have substrate across all the flooring if i did something like this. Very helpful. Only question is i havnt seen asked below how do change youre water ?
wicohan lakol yeah the water is a little tricky. If I did it again I would include a bulkhead in the pond so I could install a drain out the bottom. As it is we used a short hose and siphoned it into a bucket.
Gotcha, thanks !
Dang that thing is nice man :)
Geeky Gecko Creations thanks!! Glad you like it!!!
Have you made a modular version that grows with the lizard and can be disassembled for moving?
I have not but that would be a great idea !
Have you had issues with him jumping and clingy to the chicken wire I had this issue with a three year old had to remove and make a solid top she couldn’t see out of. Also the standard distance they should be from their uvb source is like 18-24in were you able to add hanging fixtures
I haven’t experience any issues. Yeah switching it out for a solid top would help. Or covering the wire with some non-clear plexiglass or plastic could work too
Looks Great
Thanks I appreciate that
Such a good cage lucky tegu
Thanks! Glad you liked it
I am going to do a build very similar, so I just wanted to check. For the frame you said, you used full 2x4's and half 2x4s for the sides. However; to get it to fit properly, would you have to make 3ft 8inches, to do the equal for foot size of the plywood, because if you don't that makes 4 foot 4 inches when account for the additional 2 inches of each sides 2x4. Just curious before I go put this thing together and then have to trim it down more. Thanks.
Yes. You are going to want to account for the thickness of the boards on the ends. You’re right. If you use full 8 foot and 4 foot boards the frame will end up larger then the sheet of plywood.
Amazing work man
j b thanks !
@@SomethingJackMakes no problem man
I loved this video! I have a one month old tegu and I will soon be needing to build one! Just curious to how much approximately did it cost to build it? I know glass is expensive
Jackie Lavallee it was about $500ish for everything. But I got all the glass second hand off Craigslist/Facebook market place. Buy old single pane window and carefully remove the glass from the wood frame. Give the glass a good scrub and they are good as new. And much cheaper then buying brand new glass.
Something Jack Makes that’s a good idea! Thanks a bunch!
damn Jack now this is an enclosure!!!
Gusti Arya Wiriadhana thanks !!
Awesome vid, curious as to where you got those tubs though?
Jake Loudermilk thanks. I got them at Lowe’s
very very coo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Agen thanks!
you make me want to build an enclosure for my monitor 😅
You should! Go for it!!!
Where did you learn to do that ! That takes some skill. Wish I could do that. Would like an iguana, but can’t build an enclosure myself and to get custom made your talking near a grand over here ☹️
I just kinda picked it up along the way. There are endless tutorials on CZcams about building. I watch a bunch. Even those not about reptiles. And just pick up techniques. Also don’t be intimidated by not having every tool. You can do a lot with simple tools.
Cool build! Question, how do you keep the wood from rotting in the long run?
The melamine is like wood with a plastic outer coating. It prevents it from getting moisture.
Okay, thanks! Gonna get into my own build soon and wouldn’t want it rotting on me haha
I'm going to build something like this but with four different platforms I ill lock them together to make one big cage. I live in an apartment trying to think about the future
Yeah it’s good to plan as something this big is hard to move. So making be able to come apart is important.
How long are the boards between the base? Is it like 18” it almost looks like?
You mean like how high is it off the ground? Like to the floor of the enclosure? The boards were 18” and the casters add a few more inches.
Hi, I know this video is old but it's still an amazing build. I really love it. Simple but still great. My question is why didn't u frame the top? You did such a good job with framing the base. Im just curious. I'm totally copying this but I'm going to definitely frame the top/sides, etc. Your Tegu is really nice. Thanks for video.
So I sandwiched the chicken wire between to boars to make a type of “frame”. That way the top has a clean look. Is that what you are talking about? Or do you mean something lease by “frame the top” ?
Or do you mean like frame the top with like studs? I think that’s what you mean when you say “like the bottom”. I didn’t want exposed wood on the inside of the enclosure. So I screwed the melamine to itself. This was plenty strong. If you planned on moving the enclosure a lot. I would recommend more framing for stability.
Either way. Thanks! Glad you like the build. Good luck on your build.
@@SomethingJackMakes hi thanks for your reply. Yes I meant to say a real frame- studs. I know melamine is heavy but it tends to split when I've used it. But I'm not a real carpenter either lol. I always try to think about "what if"
one day we need to move this & don't want it falling apart.
Again it's great & I appreciate your reply. New sub.👍
@@nastypupp yeah. You could always add more framing to support the melamine if needed. Could be added after it’s out together and you see you need more stability
What type of wood did you use?
Lucas's Adventures the base is made from 2x4s and plywood. All the white parts are melamine
I will literally pay you to make me one this is so cool! I do not have all of the tools to cut the wood, do you know if Home Depot can do it for me? Or is that asking too much....
Yes Lowe’s or Home Depot will cut the wood. I get wood cut there some times. They can be a bit annoying about it saying they don’t cut “project dimension”. Saying they only cut wood to fit in peoples cars. I’d say you may need to go a few different times to get it all cause if you roll up with a big cart of wood they probably won’t do it. I have also heard you can call ahead and have them cut what you need and they will be willing to make a lot more cuts that way. There are always ways to do a project. A hardware store can help you. And if all else fails a simple hand saw will get the job done
how did you put glass in?
The glass is held in by the wooden frame screwed to the Melamine
Wish you could build one for me 😩
I have a question about the way you put the glass.
In the video it looks like you cut the window the same size as your glass, but I don't understand how you make it stay in place because the thickness of the melanine board is 3/4" but the glass is much thinner.
Thank you again, my enclosure is slowly getting together thanks to your video!
Lycanlena so the galas I used for the sides of the tank were double pane windows, the same thickness as the melamine. So for those I cut a hole the windows would fit into and used small strips of melamine to hold them in place. The glass I used for the front and doors were a single pane of glass. So I cut the hole in the Melamine smaller then the glass so the melamine supported the glass from the back and used the strips of wood to hold the glass from the front, sandwiched to the melamine. Hope this makes sense. If you are using single pane glass that isn’t as thick as the melamine use the technique I used on the doors to hold the glass in place
Thank you, it makes sense, and that is what I was going to do because I couldn't think of any other way.
But I feel more confident with your explanation. This is my first building project so I am very slow to try not to mess up.
Thank you for taking the time to answer!
Lycanlena you’re welcome. And I totally understand the apprehension to not want to mess anything up. I have those feelings too. But hey the worst that will happen if you cut something wrong is you have to buy more material. Yes that’s an additional expense but it’s not the end of the world. But I’m sure your enclosure will turn out great!!!
Something Jack Makes: Calm instructions, deliberate and creative process
Song: HA ha hA! HA ha BEEP BEeP BeEP
Modarius glad you liked it. Would it be better if it was just voice over with no music?
@@SomethingJackMakes no no I was just making a joke. Love the video man. Very clever
Modarius thanks! Glad you enjoy it!
Beautiful job. If I ever make something that big I’m not going to move it from my garage, unless it will roll through my house with double doors or something.
Do the castors lock or how do you keep it from rolling around? I’m sure it’s heavy but never know.
Did you end up finishing the lumber with stain or anything? A nice dark wood would look sick with that white. Also, any plans on cabinets on the bottom for storage?
The Reptile Dude glad you liked it! I did not use locking caster. I never had a problem with it not staying in place. But it would be an easy change to use locking casters to make sure it stays in place. Yes I agree a dark stain would make it look really good. There was always a plan to use the bottom as some kind of storage. But unfortunately I no longer won the cage or the lizard as it was my girlfriends lizard at the time and we are no longer together. So I guess that means I’ll just have to make my own version 2.0 someday.
Something Jack Makes that suck bro, sorry to hear and dig up old memories. I’m going through a divorce now and I understand. Should have paid more attention to dates.
Well I know you’re up north somewhere because of the snow and one day I want a Tegu so maybe I’ll have to have you comne help. Lmao
The Reptile Dude hey now worries. It’s been long enough and I’ve moved on. Sorry to hear about your divorce. I hope things go smoothly for you. Outside enclosures would be ideal but up state NY is a little too cold for a tegu most of the year lol
Something Jack Makes that’s true. I was born in Plattsburgh. Don’t remember much but I have seen pics
The Reptile Dude ThAts way way north. Very cold lol
What size should the glass be?
So you can make it any size you want. It kinda depends on what size glass you can get. If you have a store that sells glass use what size you like from them. I got my glass off Facebook market place. So I worked with the glass I had. And could find.
I thought this was going to be something easy lol I didn't know the guy was a fucking master carpenter!
Amazing build but did it rot since it's wood.
Since the melamine had a plastic coating it has held up very well
I wish I had three drills, must save so much time from not switching bits all the time
It definitely makes things easier. But completely doable with just a single drill.
I wonder if I leave a comment almost a year after this video was made that Jack will still heart it
Fan Vixtion wonder no more. I hear it!!!
Loved the vid and build looks great but did you keep track of the measurements
bo3rapster killer thanks. The tank itself is 4’ by 8’ by 3’ high. With the base it brings the entire set up to 5’ tall.
@@SomethingJackMakes thanks so much I haven't got a tagu but beardi so I will be looking forward to make.it
bo3rapster killer glad to hear. Next I’ll be working on turning a 125 gallon aquarium into a tank for my beardi. Maybe that will give you some ideas too. Stay tuned for video
@@SomethingJackMakes you got me excited know can't wait I definitely be looking out for that video
@@SomethingJackMakes have you made it yet if not when
Did you put soil in it
Yes a mixture of soil, mulch, repti bark, and coconut fiber
Does anyone know if theres any exo terra terrariums that could hold a tegu or caiman lizard?
lee on the back wheel they could hold a juvenile. But I believe the biggest Exo Terra they make is a 36”long x 36”tall x 18” deep. That is much to small for an adult.
@@SomethingJackMakes they have one that's 90 x 40 x 35 would that still be to small ??
lee on the back wheel yeah that is still too small for an adult. You really need something like 240 cm by 120 cm by 120 cm
Plants for enrichment?
Judah Wells yeah bioactive is the way to go!!!
How much do you think you spent In materials making this?
It was around $400-$500 back when I made it. But building material prices have gone up lately.
Welp there goes half my stimulus
This is an awesome build but the mulch filled bin :( tegus make tunnels and Burroughs all throughout their cage, they need the opportunity to have multiple hiding areas, at the least on the warm side and cold side so they’re able to thermoregulate. They also use the substrate during shedding, and they usually bury themselves during sleeping and brumation. I’m surprised that this would work long term and not stress the tegu out 😅
Thanks. Glad you like it. Yes I agree there need need more the just the small bin of mulch. The entire floor needs to be covered in a thick layer of mulch. So the tegu has lots of places to dog and hide
@@SomethingJackMakes yesss but overall you made the build look very easy and I’m sure it’s not haha I’m going to try grow tents before I invest in a custom build, but this is goals!
@@flowersreptiles2707 good luck. And it’s not all that hard to build. I’m sure you can do it!