Aquarium/Herp Room Design

[freves]

OK, I have been in the process of remodeling my house for two months now. At first I was going to have an extra room built on for my animals but then decided to use an existing room. Now however after talking to (read that as being told by) my fiance we (she) have decided that another bathroom is needed. So now I am back to having an addition built on. The dimensions are going to be 12' X 10'. The floor is going to be tile and I am having a floor drain, multiple electrical outlets, and a service sink installed. I am meeting with my contractor tomorrow to discuss the final details. Any thoughts/suggestions on the design before I talk with my contractor?
Chip

 

[Ed]

If you can afford it, tile several feet up the walls so you don't have to worry about water splashing on the floor getting on the walls.

You may want to consider having a water tank suspended close to the ceiling with a spigot so you can age water and allow it to come to room temperature for water changes.

I would also suggest instead of regular outlets there are multi-outlet strips that can be hard wired for the power source that way regardless of the area there are always enough outlets without having to use a plug in one.

I would suggest GFI breakers.

Some thougts off the top of my head.

Ed

 

[freves]

Thanks for the response Ed. I should have mentioned that I have already planned on the installed power strips (I was posting in a rush). I'm not sure what a GFI breaker is (I'm assuming ground fault something) however I just had the entire house rewired (thought it was about time to replace that 1940 wiring). I will mention it to my contractor however. The suspended water tank idea is interesting. I am thinking that if the tank was of any appreciable size then it would need quite a bit of support. I had decided on a vaulted ceiling so this may pose a problem. Also a good idea about tiling part of the wall but I will probably not do this because if I ever decide to sell I want to be able to market this addition as a possible bedroom. It is for this reason that I have decided not to put an additional door in leading to the outside (my contractor and several friends thought it would be a good idea not having to carry tanks through the house). Thanks again.
Chip

 

[creekcritter]

room

I did the same at my home, here are a few things to add to your list.
built in siphon system mine drains to my flower bed not to waste the water
fill hose for tanks retracts into the floor
many many extra power outlets on a separate breaker with ground fault
recessed lighting or track lighting for show tanks
small food fridge keeps wife happy
if it is hot there and you dont have windows a cut out for ac unit

Good luck with your project and hope it turns out to yoour liking

 

[Jennewt]

I like the idea of a built in siphon system into the garden. Or maybe you could have the floor drain go outdoors instead of into the sewer.

A GFI is the little circuit breaker device that is required on outlets in bathrooms. It's safer than a regular outlet when there is water nearby (and I suspect you're going to have some water in this room!)

Sounds like a great project!

 

[freves]

Again thanks for the replies. I as well like the idea of not running the drain into the sewer, I'll mention this tomorrow. Also good suggestions regarding the retractable siphon and recessed lighting however I already have a ton of fluorescent hoods and again I want to be able to potentially market this addition as a bedroom so I am not going to get too "technological" with it.
Chip

 

[Ed]

Hmm.... the current trend is heading away from disposing of water into the enviroment without some kind of treatment due to chytrid and other pathogens (such as the viruses carried by various populations of tiger salamanders) as these has caused local mortalities in amphibians when introduced.

Ed

 

[tdimler]

Foster,

While I don't have any suggestions personally, you might want to poke around over at dendroboard. There are quite a few dartfrog keepers that have dedicated rooms and you might pick up some tips or see photos of completed set-ups

Travis

 

[Kaysie]

In the wall air conditioning unit!

 

[freves]

I have central air but have already planned on having an air conditoner for extra winter and summer cooling. I have decided against having the drain go anywhere else besides the sewer for a number of reasons (not even counting possible disease transmission). I have lots of houseplants that I water with "partial" drainage so not all of the water will be wasted. The footers were poured today so it will be fun to watch the room take shape.
Chip

 

[Ed]

I would suggest having the option for an in the wall AC unit as opposed to just central air. The main reason is loss of humidity to the animals and with reptiles this causing problems with thier ability to shed.

Ed

 

[freves]

I was just going to use a box unit when necessary. I am not familiar with in wall units. What are the advantages over using a standard window unit? The only reptiles that I have left at this point are some leopard geckos (19 years now - I'm starting to think that they are immortal). Anyway, in that enclosure I keep one corner of the substrate constantly damp with several hides to create humidified areas.
Chip

 

[Kaysie]

Wall units are the same as window units, except they're built in, and don't take up window space.

 

[Ed]

And because they are built into the wall, there is much better insulation and prevention of heat infiltration and cooling loss.

In addition, you can regulate just the room as opposed to cooling the whole house if the room gets too warm (for example if it is a south facing room or has south facing walls if there isn't a window there, the heat gain can cause a noticiable temperature increase in the room.

While it won't bother the leopard geckos, you should be planning for any future aquisitions.

The Zoo used to breed leopard geckoss back before they became commonly bred (back when they were several hundred dollars each for normal ones) and some of those animals lived for 25 years or so.

Ed

 

[freves]

I'll ask my contractor about it tomorrow. If it is not going to cost me too many more monthly payments I'll see if he can incorporate one. This addition will be on the SE side of the house so it will be exposed to quite a bit of sunlight. Thanks again for all of the advice.
Chip

 

[jewett]

Foster, please post pics when the room is complete. I am very jealous! I keep thinking I need to get bids to have the crawl space in my basement dug out into a newt room. I live with my sister right now, and she has told me that if I have the room dug, she won't care HOW many more tanks I get! So this thread is great, I am learning and getting all sorts of ideas.
Heather

 

[freves]

Hey Heather,
My first idea was to dig a basement however after talking with several contractors I learned that it was not feasable on my property, mostly due to the setback lines and the existing construction of the house. This room is costing just under 14k but I think that it will be worth it. Again I want to keep it marketable as another bedroom if I ever sell. I'll post pics if I ever get around to buying a digital camera.
Chip