my cage in progress.. finally, lots of pics...

[peterm15]

after being short on cash since last show i havent done any work on it.. but today i started again... here are some early pics and what it looks like with my first coat of motar...

just after being built

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/gecko063.jpg

glueing on some shelves

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/Picture002.jpg

done electrial and started foamin back and sides

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/Picture025.jpg

first layre of motar

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/Picture023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/Picture026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/cage025.jpg

[Jawz]

that looks kinda small for some reason...what are the dimensions of the cage?....what kinda wood did u use for the frame?

[peterm15]

it has 8 sq feet of floor space..

the inside dimensions ( i use inside cause of the extra space taken up by the foam...) are 45x27x22 (lxwxh)

it might just be the angle of the pics...

[peterm15]

oh and sorry.. i used plywood ( spruce maybe)

oh and just a rundown of what it cost me...

plywood- nothing.. free from a job that i had ( was left behind in a wharehouse)

foam- $10 for all the foam board and $30 for 3 cans..

light fixtures- $4 ea for the ceremic fixtures and $0 for floresent ( my uncle gave it to me, i just hat to wire it, came with wires)

mortar- $8 for a 25 pound bag (only need one bag hopefully)

sealer- left over but about $8 cause ill prob need some more

sand- $5

screen and straping for vents- had it lying around so $0

glass and slider- $0 perks of a father that owns a glass company

switches, boxes and wireing- $5 ea for dimmers $1 for the switch $7 in boxes and about $6 for 3 extension cords

about $90 for the lights and $89 for the entire cage...

TOTAL $179

not to bad.. would have cost me about $60 for a 55 gal $20 for screen top $30 for decorations then and prob about $100 - $120 for all the fixtures and lights and heat pad ( i NEED night heat.. my room is about 60 at night)

and plus this looks nicer

[peterm15]

here are some after tonight... i threw some sand on it to see if it would give it a cool effect... imo it did.. i like how its turning out.. i might even have him in there by tomorrow or wednesday... the darker parts arent dry yet and with all the foam at leas i know it will keep in the heat

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/cage028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/cage029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/cage030.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/cage031.jpg

i just love the effect the sand gave

[Boakid]

wow man that is one seriously cool viv you are one handy guy, congrats! Yes you are right the sand adds a lot of depth to it.

[peterm15]

thank you.. i wasnt impressed at fist but im startin to really like it...

[peterm15]

and finally the finished product.. just gotta put the glass in ( to much glare for the pic...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/finished029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/finished028.jpg

[K1LOS]

sweet, so how is mine coming along? can i pick it up this weekend? 8)

looks great. Do you have any idea what that tool ppl use to carve stirofoam is? and where to get it?

Geoff

[peterm15]

the sites sayd a metal file.. but i used a knife and sand paper.. i found it alot easier.... as long as the knife is bendable...

and i wish i could make more but i think if i do it will be on a smaller scale....

and one peice of advice for anyone, get all your materials first hen start, ive been waiting weeks to be able to afford the rst of the stuff....

[mmichele]

awsome I think its great. keep up the good work

[peterm15]

thanks alot.. im starting a 2 level basic one tomorrow for my leos.. not a rock wall just the floor and a few hides. i may not even do any mortaring.. for heating reasons