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DIY lantern display enclosure

Nurse Ratchet

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304
Location
South Carolina
Picked up a lantern at Walmart ($16.40), and touch activated puck lights (2 for $9.95).
Unscrewed top, removed two side glass panels and replaced with acrylic scraps I had on hand allowing my to put in cross ventilation holes. Added a strip of Plexi on the front edge to allow for a bit more substrate. Sealed the wood, glass, Plexi, bottom, etc with 100% silicone. Added a Plexi top with more vent holes. Attached light base to lid with hot glue. It's small enough you don't have to unscrew the lid to change the batteries.
Waiting for everything to cure bf decorations.
Interior area measures slightly over 6x6x10.5 inches.
Now what to put in it....?
C. versicolor?
 

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Lentulus

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SoCal
I’m of little use for species recommendations, but I like your style! Nice project for sure.:T:
 

Vermis

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Belter. It does look pretty well suited for an Avic or Carib.

Also, look at that sad face. Let 'em in.
 

m0lsx

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Something like a Linothele sericata would look great in there. The webbing would be an issue, but a big, impressive primitive spider would look amazing in there.
 

Oursapoil

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Very nice and creative setup, tip of my hat to you. Please do post more picture once it is fully set then again after the T is moved in.
 

Nurse Ratchet

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304
Location
South Carolina
Didn't go bioactive, but stuck with a naturalistic theme. Baked and sanded wax myrtle branch and twigs from the yard, cork round, terra aranea, leaf litter and moss. Threw in some fake rubber succulents at the bottom for some added contrast.
 

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Oursapoil

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Didn't go bioactive, but stuck with a naturalistic theme. Baked and sanded wax myrtle branch and twigs from the yard, cork round, terra aranea, leaf litter and moss. Threw in some fake rubber succulents at the bottom for some added contrast.
It is beautifully done! If I may make a suggestion, the light from above seems to be quite bright for a T that would be living under it. Is it a dimmable light? If it isn't (and as you seem very crafty), or darkened or color film added to the light should be an easy fix ;)
Once again, stunning job.
 

Nurse Ratchet

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304
Location
South Carolina
The light is kinda bright, 7w. Deciding on the right film. Construction paper was too thick. Thinking mb a bit of scrap fabric.
@octanejunkie , the bottom is actually at the bottom of the wood so an inch of the substrate isn't visible. 2 inch's in front slopped to 3 in the back. Deep enough for an arboreal? I can always add more.
 

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octanejunkie

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The light is kinda bright, 7w. Deciding on the right film. Construction paper was too thick. Thinking mb a bit of scrap fabric.
@octanejunkie , the bottom is actually at the bottom of the wood so an inch of the substrate isn't visible. 2 inch's in front slopped to 3 in the back. Deep enough for an arboreal? I can always add more.
2 inch is good for an avic. Non avics that dig and burrow would favor more.
 

Oursapoil

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The light is kinda bright, 7w. Deciding on the right film. Construction paper was too thick. Thinking mb a bit of scrap fabric.
@octanejunkie , the bottom is actually at the bottom of the wood so an inch of the substrate isn't visible. 2 inch's in front slopped to 3 in the back. Deep enough for an arboreal? I can always add more.
See how much heat the light generates to make sure the fabric is not at risk to burn ;)
For @octanejunkie there will never be enough substrate :p
 

Oursapoil

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Next project... Hobby Lobby is having a 50% off terrarium sale. For $27, doesn't this just scream out to be a terrestrial tarantula enclosure!?
Keep in mind with this one that if it is all glass you might need to swap again some of the windows for drilled acrylic for ventilation. Looking forward to it.
 

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