Large enclosure build.

I started with an enclosure that someone had built already and put on Craigslist for 100. 8ft 3ft 4ft. Going to change the CHE out for heat panels. Going to use 3 of them placed in different zones. 1 hot 1 cooler on top and one hot and 1 aquatic side to the bottom. A ramp will be connecting them to help her climb up and down. I know the aquatic part is not necessary but Rainbow loves water. Will update photos as progress is made. Looking for suggestions on temp control in the 3 zones. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...695239dc3e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ef18a04fe5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...761125e127.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c5b6d22123.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ae9f40854f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d5ecca71a0.jpg

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nice. Can't wait to see the completed project.

I'm not mechanically inclined so I can't offer any advice but I can imagine the possibilities with that enclosure. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

This is going to look amazing when it’s all done definitely keep us updated!


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That looks awesome so far. How are you going to install the aquatic section?

Is going to be a large plastic basin I can take out and clean.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

That looks awesome so far. How are you going to install the aquatic section?

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Your ball python will love all that space. LOL Seriously - it looks like an amazing enclosure with a ton of potential. Following your build!!!

Is for my mainland female reticulated python.

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Originally Posted by BR8080

Your ball python will love all that space. LOL Seriously - it looks like an amazing enclosure with a ton of potential. Following your build!!!

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

nice. Can't wait to see the completed project.

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I have a lot to do before it is done and have to get it ready before my new girl arrives in a couple of months. Going to do the spray foam rock formations and plants. I know I don't want to do bioactive but would love to have some live plants in there. I don't have all the materials yet and working on a budget. Keep in mind I am still paying 300 a month on the new girl. The new girl will go in the enclosure Rainbow is in now. I want it to be as awesome as I can make it because this is my display cage in the living room. Right now just working on sealing everything up with the paint sealant. The guy had lizards in it before and I know they carry bacteria. I sterilized the entire thing but the paint should cover anything I missed. More paint on the 15th and then the foam will be here on the 1st. when the foam arrives the real fun begins. Heat panels and LED lights will be here on the 15th of October. November 1st I might purchase a my temp controls and humidity monitoring. Still reviewing products. I hope by the time everything is done I will have less than 600 invested in the enclosure all together. Which is not bad for a huge cage like this one.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I'm not mechanically inclined so I can't offer any advice but I can imagine the possibilities with that enclosure. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

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Youtube is your friend. Sometimes you have to grab a hammer and saw and see what you can do. You might surprise yourself.

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Originally Posted by AlexisFitzy

This is going to look amazing when it’s all done definitely keep us updated!

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I hope. This was a huge undertaking. Rainbow deserves it for sure.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

That looks awesome so far. How are you going to install the aquatic section?

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I am going to put a huge tub for water in there so I can take it out for cleaning when she poops or pees in it. I need to figure out how to de-chlorinate the water on that volume that will be safe for her. Looking for suggestions here?

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I am going to put a huge tub for water in there so I can take it out for cleaning when she poops or pees in it. I need to figure out how to de-chlorinate the water on that volume that will be safe for her. Looking for suggestions here?

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I really don't think you need to. I've never dechlorinated my snakes water.

But, if you really want to you could add a reverse osmosis filter or an activated carbon filter directly to your sink. Than attach a hose to fill your bucket or tub or whatever means you will carry water to the enclsoure. The hose may even reach the enclosure depending on locations if sink and enclosure.
You could also use dechlorinating agents found at pet stores. I use them for my fish, but not my snakes.
The third option would be to let the chlorine evaporate in a tub or bucket. This will take anywhere from 24-48 hours though, depending on chlorine levels in the water and how big the quantity of water is. You'll have to store the water uncovered somewhere it will stay clean though.

But any which way, I'll be watching this build and possibly "borrwing" some ideas from you. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. Rainbow is lucky to have such a hard working and dedicated keeper!

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

But any which way, I'll be watching this build and possibly "borrwing" some ideas from you. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. Rainbow is lucky to have such a hard working and dedicated keeper!

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Go for it. You can also learn from any mistakes I make. Trust me I will make a few. LOL. Is part of the fun. Hope this will house her for a lifetime. If not will go bigger. LOL..

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Go for it. You can also learn from any mistakes I make. Trust me I will make a few. LOL. Is part of the fun. Hope this will house her for a lifetime. If not will go bigger. LOL..

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Hahaha, thanks!! I've got to make a decision soon. No new snakes til enclosures are upgraded and consolidated, so the sooner I do that, the sooner I get new snakes!! Hahaha.

I hear you on the mistakes too. I turned a 4'x6'x6' closet into my ferret enclosure, built myself. I put ramps and tunnels and a dig box and all sorts of cool stuff, they love it. But if I did it again I would change a handful of things to make it easier on myself come cleaning time.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Hahaha, thanks!! I've got to make a decision soon. No new snakes til enclosures are upgraded and consolidated, so the sooner I do that, the sooner I get new snakes!! Hahaha.

I hear you on the mistakes too. I turned a 4'x6'x6' closet into my ferret enclosure, built myself. I put ramps and tunnels and a dig box and all sorts of cool stuff, they love it. But if I did it again I would change a handful of things to make it easier on myself come cleaning time.

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Yeah, I know what I would like to do but not sure when it comes to cleaning is the best thing to do. I want to do the floor in foam rock formations as well. I also will be using wood chips still as a substrate. If the surface is uneven rock formations some of it will not be covered by wood chips. Might try it to see how it works and remove it if it sucks though. I think look wise would be amazing.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Yeah, I know what I would like to do but not sure when it comes to cleaning is the best thing to do. I want to do the floor in foam rock formations as well. I also will be using wood chips still as a substrate. If the surface is uneven rock formations some of it will not be covered by wood chips. Might try it to see how it works and remove it if it sucks though. I think look wise would be amazing.

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In a case like that, I would personally learn from the pros. Look at the top enclosure manufacturers like AP, boaphile, Neodesha, etc...all of them have flat bottoms. So to me, that makes the most sense. Trying to clean urates and poop out of grooves and nooks and crannies will be a pain in your butt.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

In a case like that, I would personally learn from the pros. Look at the top enclosure manufacturers like AP, boaphile, Neodesha, etc...all of them have flat bottoms. So to me, that makes the most sense. Trying to clean urates and poop out of grooves and nooks and crannies will be a pain in your butt.

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Is why I most likely will not do that. I do want live plants though. Sure will take a while for them to grow but will look nice once done. Working on a watering system for them that I can control from outside the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Is why I most likely will not do that. I do want live plants though. Sure will take a while for them to grow but will look nice once done. Working on a watering system for them that I can control from outside the enclosure.

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Sounds awesome. I've thought about live plants, but I feel like my BP, Borneo STP and even my King would just trample them and I'd be fighting a losing battle.
That being said, I have done VERY little research on that, so I don't know what plants would be avail that would hold up better.
I'll be interested to see what you use and if they hold up to a Retic, I may learn from you and follow your lead on that one too! Hahaha

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Sounds awesome. I've thought about live plants, but I feel like my BP, Borneo STP and even my King would just trample them and I'd be fighting a losing battle.
That being said, I have done VERY little research on that, so I don't know what plants would be avail that would hold up better.
I'll be interested to see what you use and if they hold up to a Retic, I may learn from you and follow your lead on that one too! Hahaha

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Great, Let me make the mistakes? LOL. I think they will be more background features than used by her but we will see. As big as the cage is I could put a large bonzi tree in there. LOL. Would have to look at what is safe and not. I think I saw a list online once. Will have to find it again.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Great, Let me make the mistakes? LOL. I think they will be more background features than used by her but we will see. As big as the cage is I could put a large bonzi tree in there. LOL. Would have to look at what is safe and not. I think I saw a list online once. Will have to find it again.

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Hahahahaha, YUP!!! I'll learn from your mistakes!!

Trust me, I've made millions of mistakes in my lifetime that could be used by others as a learning experience!! Hahahahaha!!

Looking good! I am building a 6' long, 18" deep, 12" high cage for my burmese right now. All i have left is to Install the linoleum on the inside (trying to pay someone to do that properly so I don't get leaks), Order the RHP, and Fix the front glass. I built it for hinge-opening glass, but the hinges that I apoxied to the glass are coming off before I even finish the cage. I am going to take that whole section off and re-do it with sliding glass. So close but so far.

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Originally Posted by Jnksnakes

Looking good! I am building a 6' long, 18" deep, 12" high cage for my burmese right now. All i have left is to Install the linoleum on the inside (trying to pay someone to do that properly so I don't get leaks), Order the RHP, and Fix the front glass. I built it for hinge-opening glass, but the hinges that I apoxied to the glass are coming off before I even finish the cage. I am going to take that whole section off and re-do it with sliding glass. So close but so far.

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I would stay away from linoleum. It WILL come up over time, especially with a big, strong snake like a burm in there. And you do not want those adhesives coming in contact with your snake.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I would stay away from linoleum. It WILL come up over time, especially with a big, strong snake like a burm in there. And you do not want those adhesives coming in contact with your snake.

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I'm having a professional silicone it with animal safe silicone. Silicone will be the adhesive and the sealant. Using a ton. If it's done right it won't come undone.

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I agree. Sticky and snake don't go good together. I am sealing with a paint sealant and then painting and resealing again with an epoxy layer. Then the run with foam begins.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I agree. Sticky and snake don't go good together. I am sealing with a paint sealant and then painting and resealing again with an epoxy layer. Then the run with foam begins.

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I'm not using anything im not 100% sure is animal safe. I didn't research a whole lot though, just know the silicone I chose is safe.

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Originally Posted by Jnksnakes

I'm not using anything im not 100% sure is animal safe. I didn't research a whole lot though, just know the silicone I chose is safe.

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It might be safe as far as toxins and ingestion go, but as far as being an adhesive I wouldn't risk it.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

It might be safe as far as toxins and ingestion go, but as far as being an adhesive I wouldn't risk it.

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What do you suggest to adhesive the linoleum down with? The guy who was going to do it before he backed out told me to get liquid nails or a spray concrete cement. Im not sure if either of those are animal safe.

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Originally Posted by Jnksnakes

What do you suggest to adhesive the linoleum down with? The guy who was going to do it before he backed out told me to get liquid nails or a spray concrete cement. Im not sure if either of those are animal safe.

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Read somewhere there's a water-based adhesive (safe for birds, so...) for linoleum...ask around the home improvement stores, or better yet, a place that installs flooring.

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Originally Posted by Jnksnakes

What do you suggest to adhesive the linoleum down with? The guy who was going to do it before he backed out told me to get liquid nails or a spray concrete cement. Im not sure if either of those are animal safe.

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I personally wouldn't use linoleum at all. I'd pretty much go the route Skyrivers mentioned above

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I personally wouldn't use linoleum at all. I'd pretty much go the route Skyrivers mentioned above

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I've heard lots of good about it. Plus I spent nearly as much on the linoleum as I did my entire cage build so far. Not letting it go to waste at this point. I'll see what I can do.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

...I am going to put a huge tub for water in there so I can take it out for cleaning when she poops or pees in it. I need to figure out
how to de-chlorinate the water on that volume that will be safe for her. Looking for suggestions here?

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I've never used for my snakes but this should work: I use it to get the pool chlorine out of my swimsuits & hair, & it works great...especially the "protective fish
coating" :rofl:and despite the fact that it says "for aquarium use only". Sold in Petco.

Brand- Instant Ocean Marine Conditioner: "makes tap water safe; protective fish coating, eliminates chlorine, chloramine & heavy metals; no-foam formula."
The 8.45 fl. oz. (250 ml) bottle costs about $10..."treats 500 gallons" using 5 ml. per every 10 gallons of water.

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Originally Posted by Jnksnakes

I've heard lots of good about it. Plus I spent nearly as much on the linoleum as I did my entire cage build so far. Not letting it go to waste at this point. I'll see what I can do.

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Doing it the way I am doing it, the cage is triple sealed. Once dry it is dry, water proof and non-toxic. I did a lot of research the past year about it.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I've never used for my snakes but this should work: I use it to get the pool chlorine out of my swimsuits & hair, & it works great...especially the "protective fish
coating" :rofl:and despite the fact that it says "for aquarium use only". Sold in Petco.

Brand- Instant Ocean Marine Conditioner: "makes tap water safe; protective fish coating, eliminates chlorine, chloramine & heavy metals; no-foam formula."
The 8.45 fl. oz. (250 ml) bottle costs about $10..."treats 500 gallons" using 5 ml. per every 10 gallons of water.

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So... the chlorine in the water is safe for snakes? Geez if that is the case I have been doing way to much work. LOL.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

So... the chlorine in the water is safe for snakes? Geez if that is the case I have been doing way to much work. LOL.

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I'm not an expert on this- chlorine is really not good for them OR us, but it depends on how much (how noticeable) it is where you live, I suppose? I'd love to know
more about this too, actually...but all these years my snakes have been drinking the same tap as I do. Granted, I don't live in Flint MI...:rolleyes: and as the water sits in
their bowl, I believe the chlorine off-gases, or so I've read. Where I live the required water test results (they're required to furnish yearly) are pretty good.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

So... the chlorine in the water is safe for snakes? Geez if that is the case I have been doing way to much work. LOL.

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I do truly respect your concern & efforts on that...we shouldn't assume things are safe, just because they're "everywhere". I'm usually the one worrying...;)
What have you been doing or using to remove the chlorine?

I have been balling the water to remove the chlorine.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I do truly respect your concern & efforts on that...we shouldn't assume things are safe, just because they're "everywhere". I'm usually the one worrying...;)
What have you been doing or using to remove the chlorine?

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I have been balling the water to remove the chlorine.

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Boiling it IS a lot of work...it wouldn't be so bad in winter (adds warmth & humidity), but in summer? ugh!

I'm building today and broadcasting on live.Me just look for Sky Rivers. I'll post the again when I'm done broadcasting. Live. Me as an app on your phone

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Keep in mind this is going to take weeks. Another step closer. Now for dry time. Done broadcasting for now. 200 total invested in cage and materials so far.

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18 cans of foam later and all that is left is to dry and shape up and seal it all in with paint and epoxy. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a3c64cd722.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...493ea9b4ec.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...497dfe688f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9ce5628cc8.jpg

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Maybe for the "rock" on the bottom of the cage, where she's going to defecate, you could have smoother, angular edges for your rocks, and for the walls you could do the rougher look? Especially since you'll have water and misting in there--it'll look like an eroded ravine, and you'll have an easier time with your cleaning.

Yep. Going to keep the bottom a little more simple. I know she will poop and pee where she likes but hope with the water on the bottom she will go down there.

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Originally Posted by Tessellate

Maybe for the "rock" on the bottom of the cage, where she's going to defecate, you could have smoother, angular edges for your rocks, and for the walls you could do the rougher look? Especially since you'll have water and misting in there--it'll look like an eroded ravine, and you'll have an easier time with your cleaning.

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Still working on it. Not the look I want yet. Suggestions?

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Lots more painting and shaping up to do yet on the top level. Working on building a custom LED light panel from some LED light strips I have laying around. Time to shop for heat panels. The photos above is her cave hide that I am sure she will spend lots of time in. The photos don't show how huge this cage is. The cave is large enough that a full grown mainland would fit with room to spare. The CHE is coming out. Don't like the look and want to use heat panels. Have room to put a heat panel in there up top inside the shelf. It will also warm the shelf. This will be her hot spot on the top. Getting excited the more I work on it. Is hard to show restraint with my budget. Tapped out till pay day. Will order a heat panel on the 1st to try out and see if I like it enough to order more.

I found this vid of someone making foam rocks for a backdrop, maybe it'll help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpko5rxM9pI

Also, the color right now for the rocks is very bright brown and shiny, which makes it seem unnatural. I'm sure scoring/sanding the foam will help with the shininess, and maybe a more grey-toned paint could help. In the video they mentioned using a sand-mixture to give a more matte and textured surface. You could do that and still have a sealant layer on top. This is such a cool build and I feel you on wanting to blow all your cash on treating your snakes lol. Texturing and shaping the foam can help pass the time until payday.

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Originally Posted by Tessellate

I found this vid of someone making foam rocks for a backdrop, maybe it'll help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpko5rxM9pI

Also, the color right now for the rocks is very bright brown and shiny, which makes it seem unnatural. I'm sure scoring/sanding the foam will help with the shininess, and maybe a more grey-toned paint could help. In the video they mentioned using a sand-mixture to give a more matte and textured surface. You could do that and still have a sealant layer on top. This is such a cool build and I feel you on wanting to blow all your cash on treating your snakes lol. Texturing and shaping the foam can help pass the time until payday.

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Yep. want to go more grey with the rocks as a whole. Waiting on payday to buy more paint and sealant. This has been a learning experience for sure. Right now looks like a big pile of poop exploded everywhere. Thanks for the video. Will be progressing more tonight. Any suggestions on heat panels?

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Yep. want to go more grey with the rocks as a whole. Waiting on payday to buy more paint and sealant. This has been a learning experience for sure. Right now looks like a big pile of poop exploded everywhere. Thanks for the video. Will be progressing more tonight. Any suggestions on heat panels?

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I’m partial to http://pro-products.com/ - these are currently what I have in all my existing cages. They were easy to install and even when on don’t get too hot to touch...though noticeably warm to a human. A big thing with any of these is to measure clearance to the substrate/shelf, and to include the height of your curled up snake. If I remember correctly, you need no less than 7” clearance between the panel and any stationary object, at least for the panels I purchased.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I started with an enclosure that someone had built already and put on Craigslist for 100. 8ft 3ft 4ft. Going to change the CHE out for heat panels. Going to use 3 of them placed in different zones. 1 hot 1 cooler on top and one hot and 1 aquatic side to the bottom. A ramp will be connecting them to help her climb up and down. I know the aquatic part is not necessary but Rainbow loves water. Will update photos as progress is made. Looking for suggestions on temp control in the 3 zones.

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i would get a Herpstat 4 or a combination of Herpstats like a 2 to control the top and a 1 for the bottom. or if u don't want all the bells and whistles, get the EZ2 and EZ1.

Edit:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Yep. want to go more grey with the rocks as a whole. Waiting on payday to buy more paint and sealant. This has been a learning experience for sure. Right now looks like a big pile of poop exploded everywhere. Thanks for the video. Will be progressing more tonight. Any suggestions on heat panels?

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i agree that it looks like poop Lol. u should have added bark, cork or rocks, etc. to the foam when it was still still soft and wet for texture etc. i also would have went in w/ a knife, scraper and sander to shape and mold the hardened foam before sealant and paint. right now there are just too many nooks and crannies to make it too hard to clean for my liking.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Still working on it. Not the look I want yet. Suggestions?

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I first thought when I saw this wow Rainbow really mucked up her new home fast :O but read and realized it wasn't that but decor I am not very artisticly inclined either but I am sure you will have this sorted out in no time looking forward to the end results..:gj:

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Originally Posted by C.Marie

I first thought when I saw this wow Rainbow really mucked up her new home fast :O but read and realized it wasn't that but decor I am not very artisticly inclined either but I am sure you will have this sorted out in no time looking forward to the end results..:gj:

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This whole thing is a giant experiment that I hope turns out great for her. Some learning involved as I go for sure.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

This whole thing is a giant experiment that I hope turns out great for her. Some learning involved as I go for sure.

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Artificial plants will also help a lot to make the not so perfect look much better;) do they make artificial moss that splashed here and there after you paint to what you like also be awesome in hiding imperfections, I think Rainbow is going to love her new home best wishes always..

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Originally Posted by Ax01

i would get a Herpstat 4 or a combination of Herpstats like a 2 to control the top and a 1 for the bottom. or if u don't want all the bells and whistles, get the EZ2 and EZ1.

Edit:

i agree that it looks like poop Lol. u should have added bark, cork or rocks, etc. to the foam when it was still still soft and wet for texture etc. i also would have went in w/ a knife, scraper and sander to shape and mold the hardened foam before sealant and paint. right now there are just too many nooks and crannies to make it too hard to clean for my liking.

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I think after tonight it will look dramatically different. I have more time to work on it again. I thought about putting bark and wood chips in it but did not want to have anything poky fixed so she could scrape herself on it. she will get heavier as she ages and some small wood chips might stick into her and cause issues. I do plan on having loose wood chips in the enclosure but I am a long way from doing that yet. I even thought about sand being a part of the texture of the rocks but decided not to. Crawling across sandpaper would not be comfy either. Going to try to shape the rocks up some and make it easier to clean a little but also look a little better. Also changing paint scheme. Going with more greys and light browns. I will get it right. Just takes some learning on my part.