A new 8-enclosure condo in the works!!!! :)

Well....what can I say? I needed more enclosures!!!! :)

I've taken to building furniture as a hobby, and figured the time had come to build a new critter condo. It all started two years ago with my first 4-stack vivarium (first picture)...which works absolutely great, but could LOOK a lot better. After an extended tour overseas, I came back home and built a new cabinet for my wife's 65-gallon African Cichlid tank (2nd picture).

A couple weeks ago, my wife hit me, blindside, and told me I could build a better and bigger (yes, BIGGER) condo....so off to Lowes I went!! :)

This one offers 400 square inches of floor space per unit (which I'm told is fine for adult BPs that are not fed to massive breeder-size proportions), and all will have belly heat run off of 2 Herpstat 4's, LED lighting, and lockable tempered glass sliding doors. Four units will be vacant upon installation in my home, and that's unacceptable. They must be filled!!!!

I'm thinking a Tiger BP would be awesome. Perhaps a Pastave, too? Maybe somebody will send me a Sunset for my birthday, or a Banana even???!!! :) :)

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Looks awesome, great work!

Just got the second coat of stain on the interiors...and first coat on the exterior. Looking good, IMO. Two more coats all the way around...then three coats of clear poly.

Ahhhhhh!!!!!....I hate having to have patience!!!

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Originally Posted by Kona's Daddy

Ahhhhhh!!!!!....I hate having to have patience!!! ]

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I feel your pain. I do furniture restoration as a hobby, I hate waiting for things to dry!

That's some great work! Keep up the update pictures! Do you mind doing detail pics of the lighting/heating/electrical parts? (Working up a plan to ask my boyfriend to build some display enclosures, brainstorming ideas :D)

Wow that looks awesome. I am not very handy. I am more of a hunter/gatherer kinda guy. Building things is not exactly my strong point. But I will say my second rodent rack has turned out a lot better than my first rodent rack so I am improving! Maybe someday I will be able to build something like that!

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Originally Posted by Valentine Pirate

That's some great work! Keep up the update pictures! Do you mind doing detail pics of the lighting/heating/electrical parts? (Working up a plan to ask my boyfriend to build some display enclosures, brainstorming ideas :D)

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I can do that. Not a problem at all.

Just got the second coat of stain on this morning…and now I gotta wait, AGAIN, for it to dry.

Heating/lighting is about 3-4 weeks away...give or take. Will post pictures as I move along.

Please title further posts "A New 8-enclosure condo(update)" so we can follow along and learn. That first 4 stack in a great looking display case. I'd love to know how you heated it. THX

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

Please title further posts "A New 8-enclosure condo(update)" so we can follow along and learn. That first 4 stack in a great looking display case. I'd love to know how you heated it. THX

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Thanks much! I heated the 4 stack with Intellitemp heat pads running on a T-stat. Also have 18" flourescent lights to supplement the heat. Temps are spot on.

Can you post some instructions in how you built your 4 level one??

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Originally Posted by M_sharpton

Can you post some instructions in how you built your 4 level one??

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To be honest...I don't really have any 'instructions.' I built it on the fly, really. Kinda made things up as I went along.

I did have a draft sketch of what I was trying to do...but that's long gone now.

What I CAN tell you is that it took about a month - start to finish - to get it done. That includes all the sanding/staining/clearcoating/silicone sealing I had to do to it.

In about another month, it will be for sale. My 8-stack condo will be replacing it...and my wife was VERY clear that I don't need 12 enclosures in the house. I went from 4 to 8...and that's enough. ;) :)

Those enclosures look great! I was wondering on the 4 story high how did you secure the glass on it? also what type of glass is it?

Ok well can you atleast tell me what wood you use and how you heated it??:please:

That is RAD!


I'm not sure if you need 2x Herpstat 4s unless you're really balling and money isn't an issue. If you use the same size and strength flexwatt, usually running them to a power strip and putting 1 probe to one of the middle enclosures will give acceptable temps in all of the enclosures.

Either way, really cool stuff. :gj:

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Originally Posted by jbabybulldog

Those enclosures look great! I was wondering on the 4 story high how did you secure the glass on it? also what type of glass is it?

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Jen,

The glass for each enclosure is Optix plexi-glass. It’s about 1/5” thick…and secured by standard cabinet hinges, screen window pane tabs, and a window lock at the top center.
I’ve noticed that the plexi is slightly bent in a couple places on two of the vivariums…but nothing severe. It’s lasted me almost two years, and has worked wonderfully!!

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Originally Posted by M_sharpton

Ok well can you atleast tell me what wood you use and how you heated it??:please:

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Sorry….didn’t mean to get all “secret formula” on ya!!!
I used ¾” oak plywood for the enclosure…with solid oak trim to cap things off and create the substrate dams.
As for heating…each enclosure has an Intellitemp heatpad. All four are plugged into an analog T-stat I got from an online dealer. Since I have two BPs and two Corns in there, I balance the temps by adding more substrate to the Corn vivariums.
The BP hotspots hover around 88-92 degrees, while the Corn enclosures stay around 80-84.
I’m building my new one quite a bit different. I’t’s far more substantial in size and construction…but will be heated with the same type of pad. I put a flat sheet of linoleum on the tank ‘floor,’and silicone seal it down. Then I put the heat pads in…and cover them with another sheet of linoleum…which is, again, silicone sealed.
Since I’m going to continue to keep BPs and Corns…I am switching to Herpstat 4s for my T-stats…so I can control each tank individually.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

That is RAD!


I'm not sure if you need 2x Herpstat 4s unless you're really balling and money isn't an issue. If you use the same size and strength flexwatt, usually running them to a power strip and putting 1 probe to one of the middle enclosures will give acceptable temps in all of the enclosures.

Either way, really cool stuff. :gj:

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Thanks!!

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m rolling in dough….far from it.

BUT…..I figure that if I’m going to do things, I wanna do them right. Since I’m keeping two different types of critters in the same condo, I want to be able to control their particular requirements with ease. The T-stat I have now works okay…but the temps fluctuate up to 5 degres…and I’m not diggin’ that.
Having each enclosure monitored independently gives me a lot of peace-of-mind…and provides my babies the best home I can afford.
I gave up a couple expensive hobbies to focus on my snake collection…so I’ll throw my ‘fun money’ at it, with a passion!!! J

That looks awesome and very well made! I do woodworking as a hobby (mostly I make sawdust!) so I can appreciate the time you put into that. Nice choice with the oak plywood; that'll be much more stable than solid wood and shouldn't give you as many issues with seasonal movement. Poplar/Baltic birch would be cheaper but wouldn't take stain at all and has next to no grain pattern. That looks good and gives me some ideas if I can convince my wife to let me get a Gila monster, lol! Look forward to the updates on how it progresses and how the temps hold once you have it all set up.

First coat of poly applied today. Second coat on tap for tomorrow!!!

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It's looking good!!!!!

That looks amazing, wish I could build something like that for my corns/BP. My first project has to be my beardie's new home, because he needs one bad, and then it's the water dragon, so sadly the snakes will have to wait.

Definition of 'good day' = when rockler woodworking, spyder robotics, and reptile basics boxes show up at your front door.

:d :d :d

Okay…..

The stain/seal/silicone is done. LED lights are in. Ultratherm heat pads are down.

Next up is installation of the sliding glass door tracks, installation of the Herpstat probes, second sheet of linoleum silicone down to cover the floor, grommet and silicone seal the wiring holes, and put the glass doors in.

After that…add cypress, hides, furniture, and dial in the temps!!! JJ

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So jealous of the skills! Can't wait to see the finished product. Do you just plan to house ball pythons? Or are other animals in the works? I wonder what adult sized animals could fit in there? Corns or king/milks maybe? Amazon tree boas come to mind too.

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

So jealous of the skills! Can't wait to see the finished product. Do you just plan to house ball pythons? Or are other animals in the works? I wonder what adult sized animals could fit in there? Corns or king/milks maybe? Amazon tree boas come to mind too.

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Hiya!
Thanks much for the kind words. I’m pretty excited about how the whole thing is coming together.

When I did my research on this monster, I wanted to build it big enough to house adult ball pythons. I’m a snake PET keeper…not a breeder…so I’m not trying to push my animals to size. During the course of my study sessions, I learned that male BPs are inherently smaller than females…so that’swhat I’m going to be getting. I have one female Bee, and one male Pied right now. In a few weeks, I’m adding a male Desert Mojave. Any other BPs I get will be males.

The dimensions of each enclosure are slightly bigger in floor space than a 32 qt tub, and I’ve read time and again that is a good size for what I have/want.

In addition to my BP passion, I own a Miami Phase cornsnake (4 feet long), and a Creamsicle Corn (2 feet long). Those were my first two snakes purchased after I got back into the hobby, and they have their choice of which floor ofthe condo they want (they’re spoiled).

My plan is to keep my options open with respect to new additions, and pick up the things that I just can’t live without. As of now, three enclosures are available for rent!!! J

I can house just about anything that stays within the 3-5 foot realm…within reason. I have a feeling one or two more of my tanks will be BP homes, though. I LOVE ‘em!! I WOULD love to get a Tree Boa...but they appear to be a little less tolerant of people than corns or BPs. I know each animal is different....but my animals are wonderful, and tame as can be. Because of this, my wife is VERY tolerant of me keeping reptiles. One strike from a Tree Boa would fly like a lead balloon around here!!! :)

Top glass door tracks installed. Picked them up from Rockler Woodworking, and cut to fit my door openings.
Bottom tracks go in tomorrow, and my glass doors should be ready by this Friday!!
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so the snakes will lay directly on the heat mat?

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Originally Posted by threezero

so the snakes will lay directly on the heat mat?

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No, sir. The heat mats are under a piece of linoleum that has been attached to the floor. Cypress mulch will be on to of that, and that is what the furniture and hides (and snakes) will sit on.

Let the temperature games begin!!!!!

I’m sold on Herpstat. This thing was SO easy to setup…and a ton of fun to play with.

Will be spending a couple weeks playing with the little details in my enclosures, and getting all the particulars squared away to get my husbandry dialed in… then I’m ready to move everyone into their new homes.

Final product pictures will be forthcoming…as will some photos of my soon-to-be-here Desert Mojave male!

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We are up…we are running…we are FINISHED!!!

Hotspots are at 90 degrees and holding steady. Ambient temp is at 82, constant. Humidity is at or VERY near 50% with one misting per week.

My new condo has opened the doors for new tenants, and allis well and right in the world. I have a 5^th snake coming on Wednesday (a Desert Mojave male), and a male Firefly coming in about a month…give or take a day.

I still have two open apartments to fill…so the hunt continues!

I could not be happier with how it turned out, and it’s nicer than any enclosure I’ve ever had!!!

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Almost finished, I mean. Cabinet doors on the bottom get installed today…..

drool . . .

I am jealous from the top of my head to the tips of my toes!!

Can I ask how much roughly one of these cost you to build? I'd give my left kidney for enclosures like that for my babies. That is hands down one of the most amazing enclosures I have ever seen. It looks like something you'd see in a Herper magazine, and cost about $8,000.

You should be very proud of your accomplishment.

Gale

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

drool . . .

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Thanks!
JJ
That’s the exact reaction I have, every time I look at it!!!

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Originally Posted by angllady2

I am jealous from the top of my head to the tips of my toes!!

Can I ask how much roughly one of these cost you to build? I'd give my left kidney for enclosures like that for my babies. That is hands down one of the most amazing enclosures I have ever seen. It looks like something you'd see in a Herper magazine, and cost about $8,000.

You should be very proud of your accomplishment.

Gale

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Ballpark estimate – about $400 for the wood, linoleum, stain, silicone, and LED lights.

$160 for the glass doors and locks.

$350 for the Herpstat 4, and $24 a piece for the Ultratherm heat pads.

All said and done, I put the whole thing together for less than $1k (since I didn’t charge myself for labor!!!)

THE SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PRIDE IN DOING IT = PRICELESS!!! J

Here are a couple more, just to show it in better lighting,and with the cabinet doors installed.

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Wow...I....uh... I just don't even know what to say but wow.

:bow::bow::bow:

WOW...just wuuh...uuuhhh...oowww. An exceptional piece of craftsmanship indeed. :bow:

absolutely amazing work

:O Amazing job!!!!! :gj:

Kudos, excellant craftsmanship and design.

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Who manufactured these cages?

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Originally Posted by OsirisRa32

Who manufactured these cages?

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RIF - check the very first post. ;)

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Originally Posted by OsirisRa32

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Who manufactured these cages?

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Kona's Daddy Cage Designs.

:)

I built them myself...I