View Full Version : Building Bud and Cloud's permanent enclosures
bigsnakegirl785
06-15-13, 05:20 PM
We've finally started working on Bud and Cloud's enclosures. We've had the wood for several days, but it's been raining pretty much non-stop. Our yard was flooded, and still squishes like a sponge when you walk across it.
Both cages will be 6 feet long, 3 feet tall, and 2 feet wide. It's a bit big for ball python, but I couldn't talk my dad out of it. I'm not too worried, because I know he will use every inch of it, as his old cage was about as big, and used all the floor space and would climb if I provided branches, every day. I'll just give him some extra hides. My dad is leaving the decorating to me, so any decoration ideas would be awesome, as I've never done anything like this. I know I'm going to put branches in it, and maybe a shelf.
Day 1:
We cut the plywood and framing for the first cage, and we were able to cut and put together the first box. All it's missing is the door and the lip for the bottom edge. We were thinking about making both of them swinging doors. The enclosures will be on top of each other in my room, with top swinging down and the bottom swinging up. Once we treat the wood and let it air out, and then put together the second cage and treat it, we will bolt both of them to a frame in my room. Then, we can put the RHP's and fluorescent lights in, and decorate them.
The back and bottom, before we stood them right side up.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1985_zpsdf98934e.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1985_zpsdf98934e.jpg.html)
Side view of the back and bottom.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1986_zpsa4fb3548.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1986_zpsa4fb3548.jpg.html)
The back and bottom right side up, with the framing cut and ready to be placed.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1987_zps9e9b3189.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1987_zps9e9b3189.jpg.html)
With the left side wall secured into place.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1989_zpsc2f07dc1.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1989_zpsc2f07dc1.jpg.html)
End of Day 1! The first box put together.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1990-1_zpsed1a8519.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1990-1_zpsed1a8519.jpg.html)
Mikoh4792
06-15-13, 05:46 PM
Awesome. Your dad also keeps reptiles? That's cool, I wish my parents were that way.
I wouldn't say it's too big at all. As long as out fill it up with things it will be great. Good luck.
brylecc1989
06-15-13, 05:48 PM
That's going to be one happy Royal :)
bigsnakegirl785
06-15-13, 05:50 PM
Haha, no, but he used to. Kinda feel bad for them, because he doesn't any clue how to keep them now, so I doubt he did then. They ended up freezing solid when my mom and dad went on vacation, because the person renting them their trailer refused to fix the power and heat in the trailer. I think that was either the year I was born, or a year before. And thanks for the luck. :D
EDIT:
That's going to be one happy Royal
Yeah, he loves his space. As it is, he wrecks his tub every night. I've started only putting a little water in his bowl, because he just flips it upside down that night. I wake up with his hides and water dish flipped over and deep ridges in the bedding or all of it to one side. lol He does this, even if he just ate. I gave him a rat that was half-way between a large and medium one time, and he was still up and about wreaking havoc that night. I won't do that again, though, because he barely got it down. And he's just as much trouble when I bring him out. lmao
Amadeus
06-15-13, 09:23 PM
Haha, no, but he used to. Kinda feel bad for them, because he doesn't any clue how to keep them now, so I doubt he did then. They ended up freezing solid when my mom and dad went on vacation, because the person renting them their trailer refused to fix the power and heat in the trailer. I think that was either the year I was born, or a year before. And thanks for the luck. :D
EDIT:
Yeah, he loves his space. As it is, he wrecks his tub every night. I've started only putting a little water in his bowl, because he just flips it upside down that night. I wake up with his hides and water dish flipped over and deep ridges in the bedding or all of it to one side. lol He does this, even if he just ate. I gave him a rat that was half-way between a large and medium one time, and he was still up and about wreaking havoc that night. I won't do that again, though, because he barely got it down. And he's just as much trouble when I bring him out. lmao
Constant moving around could be a sign that either temps or humidity are slightly off. My ball is usually pretty lethargic for at least a day after a big meal then slowly she starts cruising and coming out of her hides a little.
bigsnakegirl785
06-15-13, 10:52 PM
I think it's mostly him just being hungry, he's a very problematic feeder. He's picky in what food item he eats and sometimes he just doesn't want to eat. I've started keeping his tub cooler, though, and now he pretty much sticks to his hides after a meal. But once he's done, he's exploring again. He came out during the day every once in awhile before, but now he strictly comes out at night, unless he's getting something to drink, or I disturb him. I'm trying to get him back on rats, but he just refuses to eat them now, and it's difficult to get enough mice to fill him up, so he digests them quickly. He still destroys his cage, but he takes rests. His basking spot was at 90F, but I brought it down to 85F because he was burning off what little he ate so quickly between his activity and the heat. Luckily, because I did this, he's gained some weight in the last month or so. Is 85F still too hot? Or should I continue with it and see how he acts in his new enclosure?
As far as the cage decorating for him goes, what would be the best way to take up space with the least amount of materials? I can't seem to find any decently-spread plants around here, or even vines, but I could squeeze out some money and buy online if I need to. Unless I could use some of the bamboo growing around here? Just get the thinner stalks with lots of leaves, and overlap them or something. If I was more experienced with arts and crafts, I might make stuff out of styrofoam, but I'm just not very artsy and I'm afraid I'd waste a lot of material.
smy_749
06-16-13, 05:34 AM
you should have left it 90 and add an 85. Im a bit suprised your unhappy that he basks, burns it off as you say, so you lowered the temps. If he was using it and digesting quickly, Im missing the negative aspect...? You should have been pleased that he was metabolising so quickly , it means hes growing and healthy. Dont lower the temps to make it last....:-/
Mikoh4792
06-16-13, 09:50 AM
I think it's mostly him just being hungry, he's a very problematic feeder. He's picky in what food item he eats and sometimes he just doesn't want to eat. I've started keeping his tub cooler, though, and now he pretty much sticks to his hides after a meal. But once he's done, he's exploring again. He came out during the day every once in awhile before, but now he strictly comes out at night, unless he's getting something to drink, or I disturb him. I'm trying to get him back on rats, but he just refuses to eat them now, and it's difficult to get enough mice to fill him up, so he digests them quickly. He still destroys his cage, but he takes rests. His basking spot was at 90F, but I brought it down to 85F because he was burning off what little he ate so quickly between his activity and the heat. Luckily, because I did this, he's gained some weight in the last month or so. Is 85F still too hot? Or should I continue with it and see how he acts in his new enclosure?
As far as the cage decorating for him goes, what would be the best way to take up space with the least amount of materials? I can't seem to find any decently-spread plants around here, or even vines, but I could squeeze out some money and buy online if I need to. Unless I could use some of the bamboo growing around here? Just get the thinner stalks with lots of leaves, and overlap them or something. If I was more experienced with arts and crafts, I might make stuff out of styrofoam, but I'm just not very artsy and I'm afraid I'd waste a lot of material.
Best way to cover space with least amount of materials is obviously big materials. Big logs, big rocks, big caves, big water bowl...etc
bigsnakegirl785
06-16-13, 03:54 PM
you should have left it 90 and add an 85. Im a bit suprised your unhappy that he basks, burns it off as you say, so you lowered the temps. If he was using it and digesting quickly, Im missing the negative aspect...? You should have been pleased that he was metabolising so quickly , it means hes growing and healthy. Dont lower the temps to make it last....:-/
That is because he's full grown, he's almost 7 years old, and he was getting really skinny. His skin hung loose, and his body was pyramid-shaped. Now he's starting to put on some weight, slowly but surely. At his size (3ft 7in) I shouldn't be able to touch my fingers together wrapping them around him. My hands are really tiny. Unfortunately, he only really seems to eat when I give him mice. He'll eat as many as I offer him. He won't touch a rat of any size, and he hadn't been fed mice in years, until he stopped eating this time. I guess I can bring it back up when I get him into the new enclosure, so he has more options to thermoregulate.
Here's a question for anyone who can answer: would it be best just to give him enough mice each feeding, or continue giving him a mouse with a f/t rat snuck in behind it? I can start breeding mice if I stick to just feeding him mice.
Best way to cover space with least amount of materials is obviously big materials. Big logs, big rocks, big caves, big water bowl...etc
Don't ball pythons prefer small spaces? That seems like it would stress him out if I made them too big. I have a big Tupperware box I can use for his water dish, it's plenty big enough. I am also going to be putting branches/logs and maybe a shelf in both enclosures. I'll make the hides as big as I can, though, to help take up space.
Mikoh4792
06-16-13, 08:11 PM
That is because he's full grown, he's almost 7 years old, and he was getting really skinny. His skin hung loose, and his body was pyramid-shaped. Now he's starting to put on some weight, slowly but surely. At his size (3ft 7in) I shouldn't be able to touch my fingers together wrapping them around him. My hands are really tiny. Unfortunately, he only really seems to eat when I give him mice. He'll eat as many as I offer him. He won't touch a rat of any size, and he hadn't been fed mice in years, until he stopped eating this time. I guess I can bring it back up when I get him into the new enclosure, so he has more options to thermoregulate.
Here's a question for anyone who can answer: would it be best just to give him enough mice each feeding, or continue giving him a mouse with a f/t rat snuck in behind it? I can start breeding mice if I stick to just feeding him mice.
Don't ball pythons prefer small spaces? That seems like it would stress him out if I made them too big. I have a big Tupperware box I can use for his water dish, it's plenty big enough. I am also going to be putting branches/logs and maybe a shelf in both enclosures. I'll make the hides as big as I can, though, to help take up space.
You can make small spaces with big objects. And not everything has to be big inside an enclosure. You can put a big log, a small log, a small hide under a big hide. You can make a hide out of a water bowl that is stacked on two objects.
These things are just coming off the top of my mind. You just have to be creative. Just figure out what works by testing out different things in the enclosure.
Aaron_S
06-18-13, 11:08 AM
That is because he's full grown, he's almost 7 years old, and he was getting really skinny. His skin hung loose, and his body was pyramid-shaped. Now he's starting to put on some weight, slowly but surely. At his size (3ft 7in) I shouldn't be able to touch my fingers together wrapping them around him. My hands are really tiny. Unfortunately, he only really seems to eat when I give him mice. He'll eat as many as I offer him. He won't touch a rat of any size, and he hadn't been fed mice in years, until he stopped eating this time. I guess I can bring it back up when I get him into the new enclosure, so he has more options to thermoregulate.
Here's a question for anyone who can answer: would it be best just to give him enough mice each feeding, or continue giving him a mouse with a f/t rat snuck in behind it? I can start breeding mice if I stick to just feeding him mice....
You need to stop thinking the size of a ball python as black/white. I have plenty of adult males that are healthy and smaller than your snake. I only ever feed my males small rats as they don't require more than that to stay healthy, thrive and breed for me. Even if they go off food during the breeding season it doesn't scare me.
I wouldn't worry about him being a certain length and age and how your fingers fit around him. I'd worry about his eating habit. It's odd he went off rats and now will only eat mice. I'd keep him in a smaller tub and only offer rats.
Maybe scent live rats, I'd use rat pups as they are similar size to a mouse.
Lastly, I would NEVER lower the temp of the enclosure because you suck at keeping his weight up. The solution if he's cruising right after a meal? Feed him more. Clearly you're underfeeding at this time if he was still losing weight.
bigsnakegirl785
06-18-13, 12:37 PM
You need to stop thinking the size of a ball python as black/white. I have plenty of adult males that are healthy and smaller than your snake. I only ever feed my males small rats as they don't require more than that to stay healthy, thrive and breed for me. Even if they go off food during the breeding season it doesn't scare me.
I wouldn't worry about him being a certain length and age and how your fingers fit around him. I'd worry about his eating habit. It's odd he went off rats and now will only eat mice. I'd keep him in a smaller tub and only offer rats.
Maybe scent live rats, I'd use rat pups as they are similar size to a mouse.
Lastly, I would NEVER lower the temp of the enclosure because you suck at keeping his weight up. The solution if he's cruising right after a meal? Feed him more. Clearly you're underfeeding at this time if he was still losing weight.
Ok, I'll see if I can get him to eat a little more. Right now I've managed to get him to eat every 2 weeks, with the mice. Should I try feeding every week instead, until he gains weight? Next time I go to the pet store, I'll ask if they can give me the stinkiest mouse bedding they have. It's really strange, though. The scent and movement of the rat will get him into a striking position, but when he gets close to it, he turns away. I even tried smaller rats to see if it was the size he had a problem with, despite me seeing him take medium rats every time he ate. And now he's gaining weight, rather than losing it. Another reason I lowered was I read 90F was too high of a basking spot for a ball python, is that incorrect?
bigsnakegirl785
06-18-13, 12:51 PM
Anyways, here's an update. We worked some more on the first enclosure yesterday and the day before. We ended up going with sliding glass doors, and the glass and tracks should be arriving by sometime next week. During one of the days it isn't raining, we will begin working on the second cage.
Day 1: We added the lip, treated and sealed the wood, and drilled ventilation holes.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1993_zps09df36c6.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1993_zps09df36c6.jpg.html)
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1996_zpsd23bfd71.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1996_zpsd23bfd71.jpg.html)
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_1999_zpsbda6a91c.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_1999_zpsbda6a91c.jpg.html)
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2002_zps978c1855.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2002_zps978c1855.jpg.html)
Day 2: We went ahead and mounted one of the RHP's, and the one fluorescent light fixture we have. We still need 3 more fluorescent light fixtures, 2 red bulbs, and 2 white bulbs, bedding, decorations, and hides. I got one set of 3 blocks of EcoEarth, but I'll need several more. Should I get a big bag of ReptiBark as well, and just mix them up? Or will the EcoEarth be fine by itself?
The RHP's wire goes out through the top, and so does the light's. We will rearrange the wire for the fluorescent lights so it comes out the back of the fixture, and no longer has that loop behind it.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2019_zps4722c26f.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2019_zps4722c26f.jpg.html)
Mikoh4792
06-18-13, 04:28 PM
It's coming out very nice. Where will you place the probe for the thermostat? I don't have any experience with thermostat probe placement when it comes to overhead heating and ground dwelling animals. I use belly heat for most of my terrestrial snakes and only overhead heating for arboreal/semi arboreal snakes.
Just wondering since I will be moving all my snakes to plastic enclosures when they get bigger and I am planning on also using RHP's for them.
guyabano
06-18-13, 09:52 PM
Awesome snake box. The pattern on the plywood is pretty cool too. You planning to stain it?
Terranaut
06-19-13, 04:24 AM
Yup, thats looking great.
sweatshirt
06-19-13, 05:39 AM
It's coming out really nice :)
bigsnakegirl785
06-19-13, 01:45 PM
It's coming out very nice. Where will you place the probe for the thermostat? I don't have any experience with thermostat probe placement when it comes to overhead heating and ground dwelling animals. I use belly heat for most of my terrestrial snakes and only overhead heating for arboreal/semi arboreal snakes.
Just wondering since I will be moving all my snakes to plastic enclosures when they get bigger and I am planning on also using RHP's for them.
I will be placing it 6 inches off the bottom, right below the panel.
Awesome snake box. The pattern on the plywood is pretty cool too. You planning to stain it?
No, I don't plan on staining it, but I might end up doing something to cover up the wood on the front and sides.
And thanks everyone! I'm liking how it's turning out, too. :D
bigsnakegirl785
06-20-13, 02:25 PM
Day 4:
We started working on the second cage, and got all of the sides cut out and screwed together. We have sealed the edges, and we will treat the wood later today. My brother is out of town at the moment, but when he gets back later today, we will rearrange my room and mount the cages. Once the wood in the second cage is treated, all we lack are the doors, mounting the other RHP, getting the other light fixtures, and the decorations that go inside. I don't think the doors will get here until next week, though, so it will just be in place until they arrive.
The 8'X4' 1/2in piece of plywood, before we made any cuts to it.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2064_zps17a6120b.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2064_zps17a6120b.jpg.html)
Getting ready to put the other end on the second cage.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2067_zpsf629d1fc.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2067_zpsf629d1fc.jpg.html)
The top in place, before we trimmed it to size.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2068_zps0f1f7d26.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2068_zps0f1f7d26.jpg.html)
The second box finished, before sealing and treating.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2069_zpse12f3324.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2069_zpse12f3324.jpg.html)
We enclosed the ends on the first cage, and this is before we drilled the secondary air holes.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2070_zps7c02a793.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2070_zps7c02a793.jpg.html)
bigsnakegirl785
06-21-13, 04:12 PM
We mounted the first cage in my room today. My room feels so much more open and spacious now. lol I was able to get rid of the two big dressers I never used, and I was able to put my bed where I wanted to in the first place. Now I don't have to walk around a bunch of dressers and my bed to do anything, just because my dad likes the look of it better.
My dad called the company mailing our doors, and they said the tracks should arrive tomorrow, and the doors should arrive between Monday and Wednesday. That means over the weekend I'll have to get everything to put inside the cages, as my dad was only able to pay for the cage materials.
Overall, he's spent around $1,200 on the cages. That's including the RHP's, the thermostats, the glass, tracks, wood, and the light bulb. The wood itself was around $400, and we have 3 sheets left over from the 8 he bought, which should give us just under $100 back when we return them. My dad also spent almost $1,800 on my brother's new computer (he's putting one together in my dad's old tower), with other parts still to be ordered as far as I know. So, the rest is up to me. He bought everything else, and put them together, as a kind of graduation gift for me. :)
The first enclosure, mounted. Bud and Cloud will stay in their tubs until everything's ready, and I'm just storing them in the first enclosure ;) :
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2083_zpsf403200c.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2083_zpsf403200c.jpg.html)
sweatshirt
06-21-13, 04:47 PM
Nice =] congrats to your dad and you. And I have the same heat lamp as yours!
Amadeus
06-21-13, 06:11 PM
Nice =] congrats to your dad and you. And I have the same heat lamp as yours!
I have like three of those I don't use; they were cheap like 6$ :)
rocknhorse76
06-21-13, 07:36 PM
Looking good! I'm assuming that the other one is stacking above that one judging by the framing. You're gonna need a stepstool for the top cage unless you're really tall lol.
NCHornet
06-22-13, 04:13 PM
I have kept snakes for 30 + years and am a cabinetmaker by trade and I don't make my cages any longer, if that tells you anything. But it can be done correctly, the best advice I can give you is forget the idea of sealing the wood with varathane or other brush on products. It would take multiple, multiple coats to fully fill all the pours in the wood and the odor would be extreme when heated even months later. Instead do it this way. Use some 1/8" plexi and cover at least the bottom and 4 to 6 inches up each side, I myself would cover the entire interior but that is me. Use clear silicone to adhere it to the plywood and seal all joining edges. Another option is to cover the sheets of plywood with formica of your choice and then screw the cage together. Both of these will be much better to clean up messes on the floor of the cage. You will still need to reseal the corners now and then but that is far better than having to reseal with varathane. If I can help you with any other items just ask.
bigsnakegirl785
06-22-13, 04:55 PM
I have kept snakes for 30 + years and am a cabinetmaker by trade and I don't make my cages any longer, if that tells you anything. But it can be done correctly, the best advice I can give you is forget the idea of sealing the wood with varathane or other brush on products. It would take multiple, multiple coats to fully fill all the pours in the wood and the odor would be extreme when heated even months later. Instead do it this way. Use some 1/8" plexi and cover at least the bottom and 4 to 6 inches up each side, I myself would cover the entire interior but that is me. Use clear silicone to adhere it to the plywood and seal all joining edges. Another option is to cover the sheets of plywood with formica of your choice and then screw the cage together. Both of these will be much better to clean up messes on the floor of the cage. You will still need to reseal the corners now and then but that is far better than having to reseal with varathane. If I can help you with any other items just ask.
We've sealed the corners with caulk, and treated the whole inside with Polyurethane. It only takes one layer of Poly to seal it, although the second one took two. Poly also doesn't put off much of a smell, and little to no fumes.
Looking good! I'm assuming that the other one is stacking above that one judging by the framing. You're gonna need a stepstool for the top cage unless you're really tall lol.
Yup, the other one's going on top. :) Yes, we have a step ladder, so I'm all set. I'm super short, like 5'1". XD That's why Cloud's going in the bottom one, I don't want to wrestle with a heavy, stubborn boa atop a ladder. lol
The tracks came in today. The company says the glass should be here either Monday or Wednesday, so they'll be here sooner than we thought. And, he's actually spent $1,800 on the cages as well, including the glass, tracks, and the LED light he bought yesterday.
NCHornet
06-23-13, 02:30 PM
OK, sounds like you got it all figured out.
No way one coat is going to seal A/C construction grade plywood, nor will two coats, you are kidding yourself. If you used Water base the fumes will be lower but it will take more coats to build up a decent boundary layer. But both will have an odor when heat is applied. I would let it air out with the heat turned up as high as you will ever use it for a week or so until the odor fades. Construction grade (A/C) plywood will also have areas where splinters can pop up with normal use that can hurt the snake. A thin sheet of plexi will solve all this and make clean up a breeze, but what do I know, ll!!!!!!!
rocknhorse76
06-23-13, 04:19 PM
I think I'd lay down a sheet of plexi or some kind of flooring material on the bottom of the cage and probably continue it up about a foot on the sides as well to facilitate cleanup and make it safer for the snake.
bigsnakegirl785
06-23-13, 08:37 PM
I could get Plexi, but it's over $200 for each sheet at the size we'd need, and we just don't have the funds for that kind of spending anymore. If there are cheaper ways to cover it (like, less than $200 altogether), I can pay for it, though. If Plexi is the only way to go, then it will be several more months before I could get it, and Cloud's already outgrown his tub. I still need to buy two more fluorescent light fixtures, at least 8 more blocks of EcoEarth, and two more bulbs. I'm going to guess that's going to be well over $100, and I've only got $300 to play with.
bigsnakegirl785
06-26-13, 12:50 PM
We got the other cage mounted and the doors put in. The amount the website said to take off for play ended up being very close, but we managed to get it to work. The bottom one has been heated for the last day or so, and I put the bedding and temporary hides in. It has also been airing out since 6am to let out any lingering fumes that may be there, and we will be putting Cloud in tonight. The top cage has been airing out in the sun for 2 days now, and I'm heating it up now. It will be heated up for the next day or two, aired out for another day, and then I can start putting everything in it. My dad won't have time to make the permanent hides until he gets our neighbors CB radio mount ready, so the cardboard ones will have to do. I have enough cardboard to switch them out at least 3 times, and we get more sodas and such every few weeks, so this will work until the hides are ready. We have a branch cut down that we just need to even the edges out and it will be ready. In the next few days we'll go find some more, treat them, dry them, and put them in. There are also some shelves we need to cut to put inside, but that will also have to wait until the other project is done. Later today we'll be hooking up the lights we have, and we'll be basically finished! :D
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2166_zps250184dd.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2166_zps250184dd.jpg.html)
Lankyrob
06-26-13, 12:51 PM
Looks good
Mark Taylor
06-26-13, 12:52 PM
That looks great.
rocknhorse76
06-26-13, 02:20 PM
Those look really nice. I'm sure the snakes will be quite comfortable in them.
I use cheap cardboard boxes for my boas as well, since they keep outgrowing hides lol. Once they're pretty much maxed out, they'll get nice plastic hides.
Have you thought about maybe checking out a flooring store to see if they have some kitchen or bathroom remnants that would fit your cages?
bigsnakegirl785
06-26-13, 03:08 PM
That looks great.
Yup, thats looking great.
It's coming out really nice :)
Looks good
Thanks!
Those look really nice. I'm sure the snakes will be quite comfortable in them.
I use cheap cardboard boxes for my boas as well, since they keep outgrowing hides lol. Once they're pretty much maxed out, they'll get nice plastic hides.
Have you thought about maybe checking out a flooring store to see if they have some kitchen or bathroom remnants that would fit your cages?
Maybe I should do that with Cloud, as he's still growing. Bud's done growing, and I doubt he'll get any bigger, though.
Yes, and they turned me against it, as with tiling the water would seep up underneath the tiles and act like a sponge. The Plexiglas just stains too quickly and gets scratched pretty easily too - I've worked with it before. Really, it would be cheaper to just sand down any damaged areas in the Poly and apply new coats if anything happens. It would save me hundreds of dollars, rather than buying new big sheets of Plexi every time it gets damaged. Really, everyone I've talked to who works in carpentry, or woodworking general, has wholeheartedly advised the Poly as the best way to seal/treat it.
EDIT: Just realized I could have read it wrong. For the floor, or for building decorations? Sorry, I'm just really slow lately.
rocknhorse76
06-26-13, 03:51 PM
I was referring to it being used on the floor and up the sides a bit. If you think you got a thick enough coating of poly on the floor, then I guess you'll be fine though.
EL Ziggy
06-26-13, 04:13 PM
I need a snake interior decorator to help me add some flair to my vivs : ) Anybody in GA? I'm not good at building things at all.
I could get Plexi, but it's over $200 for each sheet at the size we'd need, and we just don't have the funds for that kind of spending anymore. If there are cheaper ways to cover it (like, less than $200 altogether), I can pay for it, though. If Plexi is the only way to go, then it will be several more months before I could get it, and Cloud's already outgrown his tub. I still need to buy two more fluorescent light fixtures, at least 8 more blocks of EcoEarth, and two more bulbs. I'm going to guess that's going to be well over $100, and I've only got $300 to play with.
FRP would do the job just fine and cost about a tenth of the price. I think a 4x8 sheet is around $20-30.
rocknhorse76
06-26-13, 06:42 PM
FRP would do the job just fine and cost about a tenth of the price. I think a 4x8 sheet is around $20-30.
That's a great idea! You could use liquid nails to glue it on and seal the seams with siliconized acrylic caulk (water based).
To clarify for those who don't know what it is....its the textured plastic material that you normally see covering the lower parts of walls in restrooms and sometimes in commercial kitchens. Very thin, lightweight, and durable. Looks nice too.
Terranaut
06-27-13, 04:42 AM
What about using glass with a wood frame?
Call a glass place and as how much for the size you need. Be sure to tell them a raw cut is fine as your wood mounting it anyway. (As oposed to a beveled ground dull edge) Glass is super cheap and actually best for seeing through as well as cleaning.
Looks real nice so far.
bigsnakegirl785
06-27-13, 09:34 AM
That's a great idea! You could use liquid nails to glue it on and seal the seams with siliconized acrylic caulk (water based).
To clarify for those who don't know what it is....its the textured plastic material that you normally see covering the lower parts of walls in restrooms and sometimes in commercial kitchens. Very thin, lightweight, and durable. Looks nice too.
I'll give this a test run, and if I notice any problems, I'll go and look for some. So far, everything seems to be going well. But, I can definitely get some to put on the shelves, and maybe cover the wooden hides when they get done. Or, could I make the hides out of the plastic?
I was testing the humidity and temperatures for a little over 24 hours before putting him in the enclosure, first without bedding and hides, and then with them. I have the thermostat set at 80-85F with the probe at the bottom of the enclosure, and I'll be putting a shelf below the RHP so he can get the higher temperature basking spot. The humidity was 70-75% when I first put the bedding in, and now two days later it's down to 60-65%, and staying steady. This is a good level of humidity, but, despite this, he's been spending all of his time in his water dish. He hasn't left it since I put him in his enclosure. I checked for mites, but he came out clean. The water's clear, and I didn't find any crawling on him. Is he maybe just taking advantage of the fact that he now has a big enough dish to soak in?
bigsnakegirl785
06-27-13, 10:24 AM
Ok, so I just thought that maybe my hygrometer is going bad. When I opened the door to change out the water in the smaller bowl, the humidity felt a lot higher than just 60%. So, I put the new hygrometer in it, and it's reading 80%. So, the enclosure is holding humidity really well, and I'm letting it air out a bit to dry out the bedding, and bring down the humidity a little. Could the battery be affecting the read-out? I've had the hygrometer almost 2 years, but I haven't changed out the battery before. If not, I'll get another one.
They do require calibration from time to time. If you look up salt calibration for hygrometers there are some simple, cheap ways to do it yourself. If its a model you can calibrate that is. The cheaper ones often cant be recalibrated and just have to be replaced.
bigsnakegirl785
06-27-13, 10:44 AM
They do require calibration from time to time. If you look up salt calibration for hygrometers there are some simple, cheap ways to do it yourself. If its a model you can calibrate that is. The cheaper ones often cant be recalibrated and just have to be replaced.
Idk if it can be, it's a cheap $15 Exo Terra hygrometer. Well, it's $15 on Amazon, but it says the original price is $35. It doesn't have any options to re-calibrate, but I could try anyway. The next one I get I'll look for one I can calibrate, if not.
Well $15 for a hygrometer that lasted you two years is a pretty decent deal. ;) Calibration is not the easiest thing ever, but Id always advise a higher quality unit if you can afford it.
bigsnakegirl785
06-27-13, 06:52 PM
So, the lights have been very...fun...to work with. We wired the fluorescent light up to the switch, and put a plug at the end of the wire. We plugged it in, and it immediately tripped the breaker. And, as an added bonus, since we had it hooked up to my power strip, it's now broken. Since 4 of the outlets on the power strip were "power-saving surge-protectors," only they broke. Of the other 2, I can only use 1, because the last one is blocked by a strip of metal for whatever reason. We brought an extension cord up from the basement and plugged it up, and it tripped the breaker again. We flipped it back on, and the fluorescent light turned on, this time without shorting out. So, we wired up the other one. When that was done, we plugged it in. It never turned on, but it tripped the breaker. We figured, hey, we've got one working. We were wrong. It turned on for about 5 seconds, and flipped the breaker again. The light doesn't work on the extension cord anymore, but a lamp we tested it with does. So, we may have blown the light, too. Which means we'll have to have an electrician look at everything.
bigsnakegirl785
06-28-13, 01:49 PM
I set up Bud's cage, and put him in it. We'll be putting branches in Bud's cage first, because Cloud seems to only want to stay in his water bowl. He hasn't left if of his own will yet. I'm confused as to why, because his temps stay 80-85F on his hot end, on the ground, and I've brought his humidity down to 70% from 85% (the highest reading I read before I aired it out). I tried adding more hides, and tunnels like I did in Bud's, thinking maybe he felt exposed, but he still hasn't left his dish. It's not mites, because his water is clear and there aren't any crawling on him. He's spent the last 2 days in it, and he's only left it when I had to take him out to clean it out because he had "peed" in it.
A few of the hides turned out to be a little tall, like this one, so I cut them down after this photo shoot. I put him in, and he explored all over the enclosure, and when he was satisfied he went into one of his hides. I'll let him settle into his new home, and try - again - to get him to take this rat. I'm going to try once every 2 weeks to feed him this same rat, but I'll kill it before it gets too big for him to eat, and offer it a few times to him as f/t. When I first introduced it to him, he showed a bit of interest in it, but when the rat came close, he turned away. This was with it being scented with mouse bedding.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2176_zpsf7a167ae.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2176_zpsf7a167ae.jpg.html)
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2175_zpsa333d6de.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2175_zpsa333d6de.jpg.html)
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2174_zps9b22ca57.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2174_zps9b22ca57.jpg.html)
Right when I put him in.
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p600/dtr_2009_/IMG_2173_zpsdeda7fda.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/dtr_2009_/media/IMG_2173_zpsdeda7fda.jpg.html)
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