Stealth Rudi - Page 2

smy_749 · 03-24-13, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, if using it for V. acanthurus, I would cover the outside bottom half with 3/4inch plywood up to a height of around 38cm (15inches). That would obviously cover/partly one of the doors (which isn`t too important).
Doing it this way means it will be able to take the weight of substrate, yet leave the original enclosure undamaged.
By the way, use 6 inch steel angle brackets to fix the ply around the outside, they`re much stronger than screws, and again, so easy to fix together.

Hey, so I'm a bit confused about what you meant about the board on the bottom? I attached a pic of the enclosure. Did you mean to cut out the bottom and put an addition underneath plywood box type thing? Or to make a plywood box inside the enclosure that goes about half way up the door? I feel like the cage is larger than what he told me. I'll have to get out a measuring tape and recheck it (its taller than I expected).

He also installed a shoe rack type thing inside it, to get higher up towards the basking lights I guess (Idk if I like it, and don't think its neccessary if Im goign to install the basking lights inside the enclosure) , and theres a heat tape inside the enclosure which I'll probably remove. Or I may just sell it, it was only 120 and in good shape, they are 350 new at the animalplastics site.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...02122645_n.jpg

murrindindi · 03-24-13, 05:49 PM

Sorry, I meant to suggest turning it on it`s side so the doors are vertical, then it will be taller rather than long (but NOT "arborial", shhh

), then you make a "sleeve" that fits around the bottom half of the enclosure, it will not only strengthen it, it will allow a greater depth of substrate, too (in effect, a box to drop the box into if that makes sense)?

smy_749 · 03-24-13, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Sorry, I meant to suggest turning it on it`s side so the doors are vertical, then it will be taller rather than long (but NOT "arborial", shhh

), then you make a "sleeve" that fits around the bottom half of the enclosure, it will not only strengthen it, it will allow a greater depth of substrate, too (in effect, a box to drop the box into if that makes sense)?

What if I buy a tree from a garden shop, then is it arboreal? I see what you mean now, only thing I'm scared of is if I cant get the sleeve fit 100% from the front of the cage (I think there is a small lip in the framing) that they wedge themselves in there or something? I can fit about 6 inches of substrate when its on its side, I was thinking to get a piece of plexy glass or pvc, and silicone another 6 inches into place over the bottom part of the windows (from the inside so it wont be pushed off). Could that work too? I may just use it for something else though, I don't wanna see it because it was such a good deal, but it has 2 x 8 inch vents in the top (they are very large imo) and slit vents on the side so not GREAT for humidity

murrindindi · 03-24-13, 06:14 PM

Yes, obviously if you put a plastic shrub in there it will be truly arborial, but acanthurus aren`t truly arborial animals so it would still be all wrong (ANYONE would know that).... Now I`m confused about a lip they could get wedged in? It would work the other way so long as the whole thing is sturdy enough to take the weight of substrate (I think a 12 inch depth of soil/playsand would be the minimum). The vents can easily be covered, just tape a piece of plexiglass or similar over them).

smy_749 · 03-24-13, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Yes, obviously if you put a plastic shrub in there it will be truly arborial, but acanthurus aren`t truly arborial animals so it would still be all wrong (ANYONE would know that).... Now I`m confused about a lip they could get wedged in? It would work the other way so long as the whole thing is sturdy enough to take the weight of substrate (I think a 12 inch depth of soil/playsand would be the minimum). The vents can easily be covered, just tape a piece of plexiglass or similar over them).

Nevermind about the lip thing, the cage has a frame which protrudes out in the front, sort of hard to explain, but if I slip a sleeve on the bottom, it will leave a gap of maybe an inch in the front between the plastic and plywood, but I can figure out a way to close it off. I'd rather do something better than the bare minimum, the only thing keeping me wanting to use it for a monitor, is I'm no carpenter by any means. What about a smaller arboreal species like timors/similist/tristis or w.e