I've Had Enough!!!

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by smy_749

I don't think a 125 gallon is a large enough base for an adult rudi which can get pretty large. I definitely don't think 1 quarter land to 3 quarters water is enough either. They are not an aquatic species, and I don't think they need a water feature other than a small tub to soak in. If they were mertensi, salvator, cumingi, mangrove, etc. I may have agreed but I think a large land area would be of far greater benefit. I would really look into a trough. By the sound of things, if you just bought a 8x4x3 trough and slapped something on top of it, it would be a much more adequate enclosure than what he is in at the moment. You can later think about adding some height, but an 8 foot trough should be plenty large enough to allow you to stall for time.

alright then the stock tank is a good idea, I still want a large(not as large) swimming area for him. Would it be possible to build a drain or something into a water dish so you could drain the water out rather than having to lift it? I'm rather insistent on the largish water area because he seems happiest when he's swimming.

[franks]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

So I was inspired by some pictures Franks posted on the thread titled "Bio-active Water Bowl?" Of some cages he made with large fishtanks as a base full of water for swimming, and a tall frame up around it for perches/ground area stuff. I was curious about if this would work for my rudi? I could use a 125 gal aquarium as the base and have it as a swimming area for him as he loves to swim. I could build a tall frame around 5-6ft tall with light-weight material and tons of climbing space. The frame would also have a greater width of around at least 3ft expanded from the fishtank for plenty of surface area, making the width of the enclosure 4ft 6 inches. A quarter of the tank itself could be walled off with something for a small area full of soil/sand for digging (he doesn't do much digging). He could have a hide there, as well as two more, one right off the water, and one up high on a shelf.

There would be on shelf about 4ft, and another 5ft up. One would be set with UV. Logs would criss-cross the tank for access from the water and all the way up the platforms. One log may be for basking of 130 F, or maybe a platform. The 3rd hide would be hanging of the back up high for an elevated resting area. The background would be latticework so he can hang off it and for aesthetics. The big thing is being able to move both halves of this cage separate for transport. I wont be living with parents for more than 2 years hopefully and I wouldn't want to have to rebuild an entire cage all over. I am also curious about filtration and draining of the water. Also curious as to light weight but sturdy wood one could use for the 3 sides (sliding doors would be used for the top half, and swinging for the bottom half of the front.

Thank you. That would not work for a rudi. These cages do not move well. Honestly- I know you are not going to want to hear this- but I think you should wait until you move out. You don't know where you are even going yet. You cannot put a monitor enclosure on anything but a ground floor without modifying the house. You would not believe how much weight these things have. A custom built enormous enclosure is hard to move.

[LarryS]

Yes please heed others advise concerning power tool safety. I can't even begin to express online how dangerous a table saw is.

Maybe have a talk with your Dad, show him a proper cage and build it together with his new understanding.

[franks]

Yes. Simply elevate a platform and put a shower pan on it. You can also screw down a cement mixing tub and drill a drain into it. The elevates platform allows you to get a bucket underneath to remove water.

[Akuma223]

Sweet thanks franks

[shaunyboy]

sorry to be blunt mate,,,,,

at least your father takes an interest and trys to help you,so why not cut the poor guy some slack

re your fingers
if you cut your fingers off then that's on you,NOT your poor father

you might understand when you go on to become a father yourself one day


cheers shaun

P.S.you should try having a father who's only interest in his teenage son was.....punching his teeth out and breaking ribs throughout his (my) teenage years

[Akuma223]

Be as blunt as you want dude, it doesn't bug me I appreciate honesty. I'm very well aware of how awesome my dad is and thank him all the time for it. p.s I'm a chick