New 8 foot retic enclosure build - Page 2

Mark Taylor · 04-12-13, 10:55 AM

Are you going to put hides in?

Gatlin · 04-12-13, 08:52 PM

Thank you guys very much for the compliments! It went from a weekend project that wasn't intended to be this nice and just got out of hand! You know how it goes with a project, once the ideas started coming they just didn't stop.

I will not be adding any hides. I had her in hides for 6 months or so when she was a baby, but she is very conditioned to not having a hide now. Well as conditioned as a snake can get anyway.

She is a doll! As requested, here are some more miscellaneous pics.

Gatlin · 04-12-13, 08:53 PM

This was the messiest feeding she's ever had! All of her food is frozen/thawed but for some reason this rat kinda exploded! It looked like a horror scene in there.

This was the first time i have fed her on bark and was a little paranoid about what i've heard about retics swallowing the bark and having trouble passing it. I laid down some paper to be safe. I have since switched to the black outdoor carpet. It's so much easier to clean and swap with a fresh one.

Gatlin · 04-12-13, 08:54 PM

Here is where i have my Herpstat mounted. I used a computer chord plastic circle to make it look a little cleaner.

Gatlin · 04-12-13, 09:00 PM

Here are a few more pics with the flash off.

JWFugle · 04-13-13, 01:14 PM

again great looking snake and cage, nice to see display cages instead of the "rack and stacks"

is that the only support for that log? it looks great i would just be worried about it breaking if she puts her weight on the opposite end. idk more curious then concerned.

can we get a pic of the how you connected the fogger? it looks awesome and id like to some day do the same.

sorry for the bombardment

BrownSugar92 · 04-13-13, 01:29 PM

Really cool! I have to buy my cages already made because I can't build anything like that o.o
I admire people who have that sort of talent. Well done

Gatlin · 04-13-13, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWFugle

again great looking snake and cage, nice to see display cages instead of the "rack and stacks"

is that the only support for that log? it looks great i would just be worried about it breaking if she puts her weight on the opposite end. idk more curious then concerned.

can we get a pic of the how you connected the fogger? it looks awesome and id like to some day do the same.

sorry for the bombardment

Thanks man. No that's not the only support for that log. I have two "hook and circle" bolts on either end. The circle bolts are attached to the 2x4 frame of the cage. The hook bolts are bolted about 4 inches into the log. Trust me it's not going anywhere!

I also have three of those hook and circle bolts attached to the basking shelf. Both the shelf and the log are very easily removeable for cleaning.

I'll try to get some pictures of how i ran the plumbing.

Tracy33 · 04-13-13, 04:42 PM

Fantastic looking cage !! , and nice snake . I also wish i could build something like that . Still , i just come on here and watch you guys . well done !!!

Bloedig · 04-13-13, 04:56 PM

I assume the log is a natural log and it appears you treated it with something? What did you use to coat the log? I am interested in using a large branch off one of my trees in the backyard for this purpose, but afraid to use un treated/coated.

Gatlin · 04-13-13, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloedig

I assume the log is a natural log and it appears you treated it with something? What did you use to coat the log? I am interested in using a large branch off one of my trees in the backyard for this purpose, but afraid to use un treated/coated.

Yes it is a natural log i went into the woods to get. I brought it home and stripped the bark off it. I then let it soak in bleach water for a couple hours. After scrubbing the crap out of it, it got 3 coats of medium walnut stain followed by 3 coats of polyurethane. I then let it sit outside for about 5 days air drying. Then after another heavy scrubbing with bleach/soapy water. It was ready for the cage.

The same thing was done with the basking shelf made out of 2x4's. They are both completely sealed and water proof. It really makes cleaning them a breeze as well.

Bloedig · 04-13-13, 11:29 PM

Great. thanks for the info on that.

MikeM77 · 04-14-13, 06:18 AM

Beautiful work on the enclosure and gorgeous retic you have bud.

Gatlin · 04-14-13, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeM77

Beautiful work on the enclosure and gorgeous retic you have bud.

Thank you much!

Lickeypie · 04-16-13, 03:33 PM

Wow, great work! I wish I was at least half as handy as you!