DIY: Monitor Enclosure

[War Machine]

So I'm making this, in hopes that common savs, waters, and albigs, can find their way to a proper setup.

Now, A little background to justify why I've built the way I have.

I'm 24, Living at home with a "wife" and 3 year old son. With our single mother and single 13yr old brother.

Keeping monitors is a LONG term investment, and a large term investment. Seeing as I live at home (not forever) I need to build this enclosure (for my V.A Microstictus, said to max out at 4.5') efficiently for the animal, and have the ability to tear down/rebuild with complete ease. So, call this a DIY: Mobile enclosure.

I've built to the dimensions of 9'8" long, 5' Wide, and going 6' tall.

So that sums it up, young, living at home, mobile enclosure.

So, lets cover a basic material list. I'm using 2x4 lumber for this, and probably 2x6 for the top. Your first step is to draw up your tank on a piece of paper, create a pre measured wood list, and you're off.

- 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, what ever you prefer.
- R12 Insulation, 3.5"
- Copious amounts of 100% clear silicone
- Copious screws
- FRP, Linoleum tile, or alike
- 14/2 Wire
- Some form of sealer. I use Thompson Water Sealer.
- Industrial grade glue gun, and sticks
- Heat gun, or lighter
- Shrink tubing.

I will update materials as I go. But that should get you going on a solid frame. Sweat the details later.

So, Here I have just started the base footprint, Because I am building on a concrete floor, it is crucial to insulate, and or Raise the tank 2-3" off the ground (haven't gotten that far yet)

Frame out you're bottom section, I did this in two pieces for mobility. Don't forget to frame 16" studs! Saves you later.



Drill holes like so, enabling attachment



4, 3/8 Carriage bolts



at this point you can sheet your underside, I used 1/4 OSB because its cheaper, and the bottom.



Once that is done, you can fasten the two pieces together via your carriage bolts.

[War Machine]

Then lay it on its bottom, and bust out the R12 Insulation, Don't forget to use Latex gloves, AND longsleeve shirts! This stuff is very irritating.



Here is where framing on 16" saves you so much time



Then you can sheet your Top, I used 1/2 Ply for the bottom, you can use 5/8 if you want for peace of mind, but 1/2 has given me no problems supporting dirt.



Now, you can lay your FRP, or alike. I got really lucky at work, we got these sheets that our "logo" come on, and They throw it out, but I take it now its 1/16 in with, and identical to FRP. I decided to screw my sheets down, just for when I move it, I don't rip it up with the wood.



Now comes your copious amounts of slicone, be generous, can't stress enough. And wear latex gloves!



Thats where I'm at as of tonight. I will keep this going pretty quickly

[ReptileSeeker]

looks good

[Scale_fever]

Wow very nice,keep it up with lots of pictures to.I was in the start of building my Kimberly enclosure & a family member perished,so first things first.....but great start,cant wait to see the final product.

[Scale_fever]

Originally Posted by Scale_fever

Wow very nice,keep it up with lots of pictures to.I was in the start of building my Kimberly enclosure & a family member perished,so first things first.....but great start,cant wait to see the final product.

here a link to my build Diy tree monitor enclosure - YouTube i hope you like!

[Pirarucu]

Looking good!

[War Machine]

I've got some crafty ideas for the walls.

Anywho, since there are pipes, and a water meter behind that hole in the wall that needs to be accessed.

I rigged this up with these Swivel casters. Solid steel, with 1/4 plates. Rated for 450lbs each. Rigged six up equally between the tank. I screwed down two 2x4s across the length, to keep stress off that Bolted joint.

Should be plenty strong.



Walls are tomorrow night.

[jhinton6932]

i would hate to have to take all the dirt out, and move a huge cage like that! nice job though on making something that is easy to disassemble and move! keep us updated

[War Machine]

Yeah, its going to be a pain in the ***, But imagine taking one apart that isn't built this way :P

I'm supplying this guy with 3' of substrate, He is such an active burrower, He's kept on 20" right now, and I feel bad lol, Hard to believe a 3' monitor can disappear :P

[jhinton6932]

someone needs to create a way to easily remove dirt in this enclosure. i used a shop vac for an 8x4 that has about 2ft in it when i moved into my new house and it takes forever it feels like. someone make an easier way. i mite add taking apart the framework was horrid as well

[War Machine]

Yeah, I'm pretty much planning for pre built walls, Carriage bolts, and a few screws. Frame work stays intact and its just a matter of shoveling the dirt out, with ease, no cramming in the tank breaking your back.

[War Machine]

Sorry for the lack guys, my clutch in the car took a dump on me, so I've been busy with that, and tons of OT at work.

I've got all my wood cut and fasteners ready to go for the sides, just gotta put it together. Tomorrow I promise

[War Machine]

Here is how the walls will be fastened, 4 pieces per joint.



Here is how I framed the walls. I chose to "toenail" my studs. Meaning I use the thin section of the 2x4.

When you build these tanks, you need to consider EXTERIOR foot print AND interior footprint. By "toenailing" I've turned my 4" walls, into 2" walls. That's 4" interior space saved.



Also remember to angle your 2" screws. Or you'll be damaging the surface under neath, and/or have screws sticking out.





Also keep in mind, everything has to be flush and square! Or you'll have a nightmare of an enclosure on your hands.

Then you can flip it over and lay your Frp.

That's 34" of dirt going in!



More to come.

Just to show you how big this sucker is.



Enjoy.

[marvelfreak]

Holy cow that looks sweet.

[Pirarucu]

Looking great!