Gloria Gets a New Enclosure!
Long time no see! The past few months have been a crazy combination of field work and international travel - BUT now that I'm settled back at home I wanted to share Gloria's much-awaited new enclosure.
http://i.imgur.com/QOgq22gh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gJNmzrBh.jpg
I opted for an Animal Plastics T10 with a Pro-Heat 80watt RHP regulated by a Herpstat Intro+ thermostat. I installed some 2.5" PVC pipes across the enclosure so Gloria could roam vertically as well as horizontally. So far she seems to enjoy taking advantage of the extra space! I think she likes the new levels as a "alternate route" when cruising around at night.
http://i.imgur.com/UZL6IFSh.jpg
The enclosure is illuminated by an LED aquarium strip that operates in a variety of colors. (Gloria seems to like blue the best)
http://i.imgur.com/uz6U3Cll.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ydUmSOEl.jpg
The T10 was super easy to construct, and I had Animal Plastics pre-install the RHP for me. Waiting 12 weeks for the unit to ship, 5-7 days for the silicone sealant to cure, and another 5-7 days for the entire unit to de-gas was hard. But I didn't want to expose Gloria to tacky substances and stinky, hot-fiberglass odors. Despite the wait, I would highly recommend AP and Pro-Heat products for BP owners. Everything is very nicely constructed and the whole unit looks very professional.
The 95+ outside temps in Oregon have been a little tough to manage without AC, but the enclosure never gets above 85 on the cool side, and usually hovers around 78-82. Hot side is always 88-91. When it isn't ridiculously hot outside, the enclosure is very easy to keep at optimum temperatures. And maintaining 50-60% humidity is a breeze, even with newspaper!
I'm very excited to watch Gloria continue to grow into her new space.
Re: Gloria Gets a New Enclosure!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
thejennabird
Long time no see! The past few months have been a crazy combination of field work and international travel - BUT now that I'm settled back at home I wanted to share Gloria's much-awaited new enclosure.
http://i.imgur.com/QOgq22gh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gJNmzrBh.jpg
I opted for an Animal Plastics T10 with a Pro-Heat 80watt RHP regulated by a Herpstat Intro+ thermostat. I installed some 2.5" PVC pipes across the enclosure so Gloria could roam vertically as well as horizontally. So far she seems to enjoy taking advantage of the extra space! I think she likes the new levels as a "alternate route" when cruising around at night.
http://i.imgur.com/UZL6IFSh.jpg
The enclosure is illuminated by an LED aquarium strip that operates in a variety of colors. (Gloria seems to like blue the best)
http://i.imgur.com/uz6U3Cll.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ydUmSOEl.jpg
The T10 was super easy to construct, and I had Animal Plastics pre-install the RHP for me. Waiting 12 weeks for the unit to ship, 5-7 days for the silicone sealant to cure, and another 5-7 days for the entire unit to de-gas was hard. But I didn't want to expose Gloria to tacky substances and stinky, hot-fiberglass odors. Despite the wait, I would highly recommend AP and Pro-Heat products for BP owners. Everything is very nicely constructed and the whole unit looks very professional.
The 95+ outside temps in Oregon have been a little tough to manage without AC, but the enclosure never gets above 85 on the cool side, and usually hovers around 78-82. Hot side is always 88-91. When it isn't ridiculously hot outside, the enclosure is very easy to keep at optimum temperatures. And maintaining 50-60% humidity is a breeze, even with newspaper!
I'm very excited to watch Gloria continue to grow into her new space.
Beautiful!
I really like seeing cages like this, and you did a nice job with the perches. I moved our royal into a new plastic enclosure and kept the perches I had in their for the carpet python. I agree that giving "options" is a nice touch.
I really enjoy the looks of the AP cages.
Re: Gloria Gets a New Enclosure!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
anicatgirl
I like this. Construction question: Are the PVC perches attached with just the brackets? Orrrr... Idk. I was trying to figure out how you did it. :confusd:
Looks like the shower rod holders.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Re: Gloria Gets a New Enclosure!
Thanks for the compliments everyone!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
anicatgirl
I like this. Construction question: Are the PVC perches attached with just the brackets? Orrrr... Idk. I was trying to figure out how you did it. :confusd:
Tsanford is correct that I used plastic shower rod/closet rod brackets (just like these). Because I didn't have any screws short enough, I just used a healthy dose of hot glue to affix them to the sides of the cage. I know just using hot glue sounds crazy, but they stuck surprisingly well! The bottom (long) pole just rests on the brackets and is removable. It's a very snug fit with no gaps or cracks. The top pole is both resting and glued onto the brackets.
We weight-tested both poles to 12lbs without sagging, breaking, or popping out of their holders. Though personally I hope Gloria never gets THAT big. :O
I can provide some additional detail pictures if that would help.
Re: Gloria Gets a New Enclosure!
I'd be interested in seeing up close shots of the enclosure itself.. That way I have a better idea on how to construct one myself. I've been wanting to set up a display case with either a jungle or GTP.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Re: Gloria Gets a New Enclosure!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tsanford
Looks like the shower rod holders.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Yeah that's what it is! I was more wondering how they were affixed to the enclosure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
thejennabird
Tsanford is correct that I used plastic shower rod/closet rod brackets (
just like these). Because I didn't have any screws short enough, I just used a healthy dose of hot glue to affix them to the sides of the cage. I know just using hot glue sounds crazy, but they stuck surprisingly well! The bottom (long) pole just rests on the brackets and is removable. It's a very snug fit with no gaps or cracks. The top pole is both resting and glued onto the brackets.
We weight-tested both poles to 12lbs without sagging, breaking, or popping out of their holders. Though personally I hope Gloria never gets THAT big. :O
I can provide some additional detail pictures if that would help.
OK yeah, I figured screws would be choice #1 but after that I wasn't sure. Don't let Gloria be too much of a fatty :P 12 lbs would be big!!! I would appreciate a couple shots up close, as I too am interested in how to put this together as seamlessly as possible. :gj: Thanks for the info :D