Custom Enclosure Parts 1 and 2

[SurfSandSky]

I decided that if I am going to get a sweet animal, he deserves a sweet living space. So welcome to Pimp My Cage, Skink Edition. And yes, this is how we do it in Connecticut.

These are the first photos from tonight's work. This is Melamine. 3/4 inches thick. Everything you see cost me less than $150.00. It was $142.50 to be exact.

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When all is said and done, this enclosure will be 70 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high. It will have 12, 3 inch diameter, circular vents along the top interior for ventilation, as well as two louvered vents on the sides. The louvered vents are 10 inches by 4 inches. It will also include a 5 foot long lighting ballast, that will be synced to turn on at the same time as his/her basking light. The front will be entirely plexi glass, with a sliding track opening. This will allow for optimum viewing pleasure for me, as well as for entertainment for my new dude/dudette.'

I have ordered several pieces of natural slate for a basking surface, and i have a large bamboo bowl, 12" diameter, that I will be using as a water dish. The hides will be hand carved out of blocks of Oak that I am getting from my friend who does tree removal.

Other than that, I cannot think of anything that I missed, other than maybe a disco ball, just for effect.

Here are the shots of the materials

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and of my Dad's arm helping me out with the vents slots in the sides.

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Thoughts, Ideas, Critiques, Praises? Bring it

[Fatal_S]

Sounds great, I love threads like this Please post tons of photos of the build.

My only thought is make sure to seal it well. Then again, and again, and again. Melamine literally turns to dust if any water gets at the wood. My first DIY attempt was so destroyed by moisture it started to collapse, and we were able to pull it apart with no effort. With all those vents and such you'll definitely have your work cut out for you come sealing time.

[nmcnick]

I REALLY want to make a custom enclosure for my next Skink, problem is I'm relatively bad at perfecting construction (sealing perfectly). I'd love to see how this turns out!

[ljhinders]

Looking forward to seeing pics as your project gets underway. I'm also making a habitat for our new member of the family, always nice to see DIY to get more ideas:)

[cdass]

Hey SurfSandSky =)

I love these posts as well. please update with pictures when you are done.

Check out this video - see what she did for the lighting - it might be a better idea for the melamine to keep the heat from warping it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svhCcgtLIBk

Also her one regret was not making it deep enough for the substrate - so you might want to keep that in mind.

I also like the ventilation set up you talked about sounds similar to exo terra where they put vents on the bottom as well as the top to make the air flow more.

Also you might want to put some holes where you can get wires in and out of the cage just in case you need to want to put something electrical in there.

I really wanted a big enclosure like this. The only issue for me was cost. I do not know how to use tools for the life of me and to have to hire someone to build it for me could get expensive

check out newreptilecages.com and centexreptilecages.com for more ideas. I really like the way centex does their vents.

[Sandlizard]

Anxiously awaiting part 2, I am in process of refurbishing a 4ft fish tank as a new enclosure.

[SurfSandSky]

What up peoples......Here is day two. I got a chance to work on the enclosure yesterday. Sorry about the long delay in posts, but I am getting married on August 3rd, and that takes precedence. Now, off to the build!

Here is the close up of the 3" vents before I cut them out.

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And me, just getting my Saturday afternoon project on.

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I ended up using a Roto-Zip as it was way, way easier, than trying to track down a three inch hole saw. And I didn't want to buy one. The Roto-Zip ended up being incredibly quick and simple to use. Here is midway through the drill.

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I also mounted the 4 x 10 louvered vents for the two ends of the cage. These didn't have to be caulked, because they are flush to the inside of the cage and are screw mounted.

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Then, I individually caulked around each of the 3 inch vents, and placed them all with the vents facing the same way - openings toward the bottom to allow the hot air to rise up and out for circulation.

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After all was said and done, I used three C-clamps, and an old piece of wood to clamp all across the length of the cage, in order to apply even pressure to all of the vents.

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That's all for now folks! I will do the next post as soon as I get a chance to work on it again. Peace guys.

[Richard.C]

Looks great,loving the safety gear,thongs,singlet and shorts,haha,reminded me of myself except u have ear muffs on,looking forward to seeing how it comes out

[El Lobo]

Edited to keep thread all together.

[SurfSandSky]

Thanks Lobo! Wasn't sure how to do it.

[Scotts1au]

Lots of ventilation is good but can lead to unnecessary heating. Would be good to include some way of manipulating the ventilation. Scott

[SurfSandSky]

Good point Scott. I think I am not sure it will be an issue here though. The main control of ventilation comes from the two louvered vents on the sides, which I can adjust necessarily. The openings in the circular vents are incredibly thin slits in the aluminum, so I don't imagine too much air actually escaping. But then again, this is my first build so who knows haha. The cage will be situated on an upper floor of my condo, and as such, it is always warmer up here anyways, (usually 85-95, we don't use AC) so the ambient temperature will help to control heat loss as well. The only questions I really have for you pros out there is regarding the front and how to close it. Sliders? Hinged single opening? hinged double openings? with a lock? no lock? do I need to weatherstrip the backside of the glass/plexiglass to get a seal? thanks peoples for all your help so far. I can't wait to finish it.

[Richard.C]

if your rooms always quite warm alot of ventilation is a good thing,if its a cooler room,less will help hold heat in to,depending on climate it can help with holding in humidity or letting it out with more ventilation

where i am from its trickier,hot in summer very cold in winter,so some ventilation is added for summer,in winter i cover up alot of ventilation in some cages to help hold heat in

point being conditions can vary so no set way to make an enclosure,so test when its done and make adjustments to suit your conditions

i think i have every type of door u just mentioned,plus open topped cages,i prefer sliding glass doors ,but dont mind swing open type either,i dont usually seal the glass,but cant hurt to either