Project Heretic
Automation, Innovation, Blasphemy… all-in-one enclosure.
Our Heretic, a modified Apex model 3x2x4 enclosure, bucks convention by boasting 10 inches of substrate area, staggered side windows, carbon fiber perches, and computer-controlled misting and humidity management.
This Heretic is built with a wide range of heating and lighting components. Programmable Jungle Hobbies Advanced LED lighting, Arcadia Shadedweller UVB, 50w Acadia Halogen, and 100w ProProducts RHP are all a part of the wide array of UVA and UVB offerings for the reptile, live plants, and isopods living in the enclosure’s ecosystem.
Starting from the bottom, this deep substrate dam is filled with 144qts of BioDude TerraFirma soil which is visible through the clear Heretic logo CNC milled into the front of the enclosure.
Planted within are two Bromeliads, one Mass Cane (dracaena fragrans massangeana), one Auntie Lou Cordyline (cordyline fruticosa Auntie Lou), one Dracaena, and some Golden Pothos for floor cover with leaf litter sprinkled throughout. The back wall is sheeted by a large Universal Rocks background.
Cascading frosted acrylic perch mounts are bolted to both side walls between the staggered windows. Carbon fiber perches of varying outside diameters are fitted to these mounts allowing for climbing opportunities throughout a wide range of temperature and humidity gradients. The 35″ interior width coupled with a variety of perch placements in this enclosure offer basking areas under Halogen heat, Halogen/UVB, UVB/RHP, or just RHP.
Both left and right walls of this enclosure are fitted with 1 hygrometer/thermometer each to control either an automated misting system or a 4-inch inline fresh air intake fan. There is one forced air intake grate located on the right wall in the lower rear portion just above the substrate offset by a small exhaust fan on the left side in the upper front wall corner.
The hygrometer on the right side of the Heretic is used to trigger a 4-inch inline fan with a charcoal air filter to limit maximum humidity. When this system is triggered the inline fan gradually pulls in fresh ambient air from outside the enclosure through the charcoal filter and down an exterior hose where it enters through the lower side grate.
The moist air is expelled through the exhaust fan in the upper left wall until the desired humidity level is reached. This system cycles on and off as needed to limit maximum humidity parameters. The ventilation programming display shows temperature, humidity level, and current fan speed so the user can monitor the internal conditions without the aid of any additional thermometers/hygrometers.
However, two additional mounts were added towards the side centers to help map the temp and humidity gradients via Bluetooth SensorPush units.
The left side of the enclosure features the sensor and controls to add humidity to the environment. A 5th generation MistKing with HT-24 Hygrostat monitors the humidity levels lower down near the substrate and live plants.
When the moisture level falls below the set threshold, the MistKing will pull water from a 5-gallon reserve located in a two-foot-tall stand upon which the Heretic sits. Ceiling-mounted misting nozzles add moisture to the enclosure until the minimum set level is reached. Water accumulates on perches and plants which drips down to the soil.
If too much aerosolized water remains in the air, the humidity management system slowly ramps on to bring the level back in check. The HT-24 Hygrostat displays both temperature and humidity levels for the left portion of the enclosure.
The roof of the Heretic is the primary mounting location for the majority of the electronics. All heating and lighting elements are internally mounted with the exception of the Advanced LED system. The large size and potential heat generated by this particular element require it to be placed on top of the enclosure over a clear window.
This light is biased towards the front leaving room for the air filtration and inline fan to be mounted behind it. All internal ceiling cords as well as all probe cords are covered to keep down the potential for unwanted climbing activities.
This is our first test of a fully automated enclosure. Optimizing the blend of heating, lighting, and overall environmental controls will require diligent monitoring as we refine the Heretic. We look forward to the insights gained and the evolution of our contributions to reptile keeping.
