Building (2) enclosures, both 4x2x2'

[DeesBalls]

Ok, so i cant stop doing lil projects... i am going to be building two enclosures out of melamine, i believe 3/4 ". i found a big sheet that is 4.08 foot wide, by 8.08 ft long... I am going to be cutting that into 3 pieces of 2 foot x 4 foot peices, and then the last peice of 2x4, ill cut in 1/2 and get 2 pieces of 2x2 for the sides... here is a diagram...(attachment)

im just trying to get everything in order, i want to get the sheet starting sooon, i will be making one for my Bearded Dragon 1st, then my BRB. i will have questions along the way..

my 1st is, how would i put in ways to heat? i seen people add ceramic heat emmiters in but how do they get them to work?

any way, hope i have verything straight and everything will work out, also what would you guys suggest for a door/front??

[stephanbakir]

Sliding glass looks awesome, and is convenient.

[DeesBalls]

i do like those, just not sure for 1, how to put them in, and how to keep them closed, and 2, it seems like my BRB could just push them open...

[stephanbakir]

I can show you how to make locks for them, although you can buy locks for like 6$ (my locks are pretty much free) you put in the rolling slots, and then the glass.. For the most part.

[DeesBalls]

if you have any vids, or pics, go ahead and post... :)

[stephanbakir]

I meant to make the locks, You bent a wire into an extended s, then slide it in between the panes and turn it, it clicks right in and can't be removed from the inside.

[DeesBalls]

Oh I see. Thanks. I will keep that in mind. BUt first I need to start lol.

[Lankyrob]

My che's are all attached to the roof of the viv with a hook and then guarded - the cable goes through the gaps in one of the vents in the back, the thermostat probe is the same - goes through a gap in the vent (or i drill a hole into the side of hte viv, depending on how the vents fit.)

[DeesBalls]

lanky, could you possibly take a pic so i can see? i sort of know what your talking about, just want to see a visual reference to see.

[Lankyrob]

Here are the best pics i could get with my phone, couldnt use flash as it blinded everything so hope you can see!!

Wide shot of guard/wire at top of viv
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/Photo0425.jpg
Wire coming through vent at top of viv
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/Photo0424.jpg
Thermostat probe through vent at bottom of viv
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/Photo0426.jpg

[DeesBalls]

Thanks lanky, that's a good pic. I still am let to how You get the thing the bulb screws in to, in... like the light socket how do You get that in?

[Lankyrob]

Take the plug off the end of the cord, push the wire form the inside of the vov through the vent then put the plug back on - bulb socket is now inside and plug is outside.

[DeesBalls]

... I'm still lost... the thing the bulb would screw in to, how.do you get that put into the enclosure,.for my beardie I will need 2 of these, one for basking and one for the uva/uva.. I may be not understanding what you are saying rob, if so, sorry.

[Lankyrob]

Ok, PUt ALL of the wiring/bulb sockets etc into the viv. Use a hook to hang the bulb socket (if it has a hook attachment) - the hook just screws into the roof of the viv. If there is no option to use a hook on the bulb socket then i use multiple cable clips nailed into the roof of the viv to hold it up. NExt screw the bulb into the socket. Next put the guard over the bulb and socket and screw that into the roof of the viv.

You should now have the plug and some wire hanging from the guard, take the plug off the wire and then feed the end through the vent on the rear of the viv, pull all the excess wire through (so that snakey cant climb on it!) so that all of the excess wire is now hanging from the outside of the viv, replace the plug.

You can now plug the bulb in but obviously you need to plug it into a thermostat and you need to feed the thermostats probe from the back of the viv through the vent into the viv under where the light is hanging.

Hope it all makes sense!!

[DeesBalls]

It does make sense, i just never understood it until now, i got it though, next week i will get the melamine and start!!

[Lankyrob]

Cool! Cant wait for pictures!

[DeesBalls]

UPDATE!!!

i did just get back from getting my melamine... i got (3) sheets of 4x2 boards, and (2) 2x2 sheets, i got an attachment to put 2'' holes in the boards, im going to put 6 in my BRB cage... ( 4 in the back, 1 on each side) and i got a 3'' litter damn... also got (2) extra 3''x4ft pieces too, i think ill put one on the top, and the other one, not sure...

however, i am probably NOT going to be using melamine for the rest of my cages ... it is WWWWWAAAAYYYYYYY too heavy!!!!!!!! this is going to be on the bottom of the stack, and the other cages will be made out of either expensive sealed plywood, or aspen or something, (maybe my black blood will get melamine) but i am scared to put all 3 of theese heave butt cages on top of each other...


ill prolly start tonight, but we are celebrating my wifes bday today, so maybe tomorrow morning....

[Lankyrob]

Melamine vivs are fine to stack, yes they are heavy but that is good for us as the cats like jumping on top and sleeping above the heat bulbs, and the vivs are heavy enough not to be moved around by them.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/Animals/Reptiles/Photo0180.jpg

[DeesBalls]

Melamine vivs are fine to stack, yes they are heavy but that is good for us as the cats like jumping on top and sleeping above the heat bulbs, and the vivs are heavy enough not to be moved around by them.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/Animals/Reptiles/Photo0180.jpg

i dont have cats, but it is still good to know that you can stack them... are all of yours melamine? what are the dimensions?

[DeesBalls]

i was just reading/watching some more videos and articals, but i wanted to ask something...

when i put the cage together, should i place the sides on the END of the top and bottom -OR- should i put the top on top of the sides, and the bottom on the bottom? would either way give more support? for this one, i need to have the sides on the ends of the top and bottom....

i hope you guys know what i am talking about.

[millertime89]

its all about how much wood you want on which part. If you're using 1 inch thick pieces, for a 12 inch high viv, you'll need either 14 inch high ends or an extra 2 inches on the top/bottom pieces. I would use the sides sandwiched between the top and bottom and the back sandwiched between the sides, it'll provide the best support.

[millertime89]

like this
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[-----------]
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not this
[------------]
[------------]
[------------]
edit: make sense?

[DeesBalls]

like this
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[-----------]
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not this
[------------]
[------------]
[------------]
edit: make sense?


ya man, thanks alot!!!
i got it perfect...

its like a sandwich....

top (bread)
sides (meat/veggie)
bottom (bread)

like my attachment.... CORRECT?

and im using 3/4 in melamine... with i believe 1-1/2 in screws (i may go bigger though. )

[millertime89]

that's money, and you get how the back goes inside it all for extra support right?

[millertime89]

so with 3/4in melamine you'll want an extra 1.5inches on the top and bottom.
edit: and the exact desired height and width for the back piece.

[DeesBalls]

so with 3/4in melamine you'll want an extra 1.5inches on the top and bottom.
edit: and the exact desired height and width for the back piece.

you lost me on this one... :(

[millertime89]

say you want a 2ft tall and 4ft long and 2ft deep inner size of the viv. You want the back to be exactly 2ft x 4ft. The top and bottom will be 24.75 inches wide and 49.5 inches long. The sides will be 24 inches tall and 24.75 inches wide.

[Lankyrob]

Mine are all melamine, large ones are 4ftx2ftx2ft, small ones are 3x2x2 and arboreals 2x3x2.

[DeesBalls]

say you want a 2ft tall and 4ft long and 2ft deep inner size of the viv. You want the back to be exactly 2ft x 4ft. The top and bottom will be 24.75 inches wide and 49.5 inches long. The sides will be 24 inches tall and 24.75 inches wide.

i already have the wood cut, so i cant change it... but i looked at the "crossfire bearded dragon cage" and they used 4x2x2.... i am not arguing, just curious c

[DeesBalls]

Mine are all melamine, large ones are 4ftx2ftx2ft, small ones are 3x2x2 and arboreals 2x3x2.

thanks, mine will be 4x2x2, and stacked. :) thanks!

[millertime89]

I was using the dimensions as an example, not sure what the appropriate size is. I was merely saying that you need to include proper overhang or the viv will shrink a bit.

[DeesBalls]

oh, i gotcha!!

[ladyjustice33]

Where did you get the protective covers for over the bulbs?

[DeesBalls]

Where did you get the protective covers for over the bulbs?

Good question... lol

[DeesBalls]

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1653.jpg

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1655.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1658.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1661.jpg


Here are a sew pics. Letting the glue and sylacone dry... getting stuff for doors tonight.. what do yiu all think?

[DeesBalls]

finished it up, letting everything dry and need to get some more clips for the doors...


http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1662.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1664.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1666.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1669.jpg

need a little clip on the glass to keep them closed, but it is finished... just need to add substrate and all the fun stuff for him...


and eventually the light guards, when i can find them.

[millertime89]

looking good! Than handles on the side area great idea too.

[Gungirl]

Looking pretty good. I don't know if I trust the doors that way but as long as you make sure they cant get pushed out you are all set.

[DeesBalls]

Thanks you two, i will be using 4 clips, 2 on top, 2 on bottom, to help keep it close better, i will be using gungirls idea on next cages, and yes, I LOVE MY HANDLES!!!

[millertime89]

maybe 3 on both the top and the bottom, one close to each corner and one in the middle, no such thing as too safe.

[Gungirl]

Haha I Actually saw your handles and thought about adding them to my vivs. Instead of having them sticking out I think im going to recess them in. that way the vivs can sit flush against each other.

Good luck on your next cages!

[DeesBalls]

Mine wont be by each other, so it is fine, i was foing to do resess them in too.

[millertime89]

another handle idea is to use a soft cloth for a strap with some strengthening around the hole.

[Lankyrob]

Where did you get the protective covers for over the bulbs?

Got mine from the reptile shop but here is a link
heat bulb guards | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=heat+bulb+guards&_sacat=0&_odkw=heatbulb+guards&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313)

[DeesBalls]

Got mine from the reptile shop but here is a link
heat bulb guards | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=heat+bulb+guards&_sacat=0&_odkw=heatbulb+guards&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313)

Thanks Lanky!! i will need some of these for my snakes cages, not so much his, there is no way he can get up on the light... (its about 23.5" high)

one thing i am going to do, is switch over to sliding doors, i dont like the way i did my doors, but they work for now...

thanks for the compliments guys!