| Member |
Message |
|
#2264750
`
View Profile
|
8x4x4 cage questions 
Started building a new 8ft long x 4ft deep x 4ft high cage for my baby water monitor (18in long). I used cabinet grade plywood and 2x3 wooden beams. This is what i have so far, but i have a few questions (This is my first time building anything like this).
How should i build the front? Sliding doors on each side? Any advice or ideas?
What kind of bulbs should i use for heating the cage? How many watts?
How should i waterproof the inside?
Do i need any vents? (Cage is in the basement on carpet floor).
Am i on the right track so far?
|
|
04/29/12 05:50pm
|
|
|
#2264769
Krusty
View Profile
|
Message To: ` In reference to Message Id: 2264750
8x4x4 cage questions
Bottom 2 feet, just make a wooden wall like the rest. Then put 2 foot sliding glass panels or buy windows that fit the space. Line the entire cage in waterproofing sealand, let it dry, AND (not or!!!!) then line the inside entirely with panels of FRP glued down and screwed with silicone on the edges. That level of waterproofing and it may last 10 years kept sufficiently hot and wet the way Monitors like things. You can put internal keyless ceramic fixtures in a bank of 3-5 in there. Put as many 50W outdoor halogen FLOOD bulbs as needed to get good temperatures. If you’re only using 2 or 3 of your lights either put a dead bulb in the fixtures you want off, or add in cheap compact coils to add light brightness. Fill the bottom of the cage with 20" of dirt/substrate/leaflitter. Add in a big rubbermaid soaking tub. Enjoy.
|
|
04/29/12 08:27pm
|
|
|
#2264833
Varanus_odom
View Profile
|
Message To: ` In reference to Message Id: 2264750
8x4x4 cage questions
Good job, on the right track. Everything Krusty just said, plus, regarding your question about vents - if you want them, make sure they aren’t too large and try to place them where the ground level will be rather than up near the top of the enclosure.
You want those temps and humidity levels to stay consistent and if the vents are up top, it will allow constant loss. If they are low near ground level it still allows for a nice air exchange but also still allows the heat and humidity to rise and get trapped. Might be wise to figure in a way to cover the vents if you needed to for whatever reason.
|
|
04/30/12 11:22am
|
|
|
#2265427
`
View Profile
|
Message To: Varanus_odom In reference to Message Id: 2264833
8x4x4 cage questions
Thanks for the responses. So far i put a 2ft high board against the front and double coated the inside with waterproof paint. I also made a basking spot from left over scraps of wood. I just need to seal the edges with aquarium sealer to avoid any heat/humidity from escaping, then put up the doors.
How should i install the lights? I bought outdoor fixtures but don’t know how to properly set up and wire them so i’m going to home depot tomorrrow to return them. I want a plug-in light fixture, do you guys have any suggestions?
|
|
05/06/12 02:59am
|
|
|
#2265501
Dp525
View Profile
|
Message To: ` In reference to Message Id: 2265427
8x4x4 cage questions
I’m building a cage the same exact dimensions, I’m using florescent fixture for 36" UVBs and a 250 watt heat emitter. The florescent route will be easier on your electric bill.. after you install whatever lighting call an electrician ( it’s safer) that just me everyone is different. I didn’t go the two foot front board route but I agree with it 100,000%. Vents on the bottom for sure!!!! I’m doing a 1/2 inch sliding temper glass for a 7’.5" space. Also, you might want to cover that paint with a NON TOXIC poly gloss. I used a Non toxic, NO VOC and all that mumbo jumbo type of semi-gloss. The most important thing for some is electrical output price of a cage and the temperatures and ease of cleaning; what do you value is the question. Finally aske yourself what type doors will make it easier to change the water, and should you add a drain on the side for easy draining or a strong filter. I revamped a power filter for a 200 gallon tank. I’m a little extreme some may say, but to each his own and the other guys have great suggestions as well. Here’s a fun fact!!!! most Monitor enthusiasts have enclosures larger than most common zoos do. a basic enclosure doesn’t exceed even 5 feet in most case which sucks but space is limited. Your monitor is a luck lizard!!!! KEEP ON BUILDING
|
|
05/06/12 08:28pm
|
|
|
#2265640
`
View Profile
|
Message To: Dp525 In reference to Message Id: 2265501
8x4x4 cage questions
Thanks, i think i’ll add some fluorescent lights to make things brighter. I was thinking of just adding the regular porcelain lamp fixture into the cage for the basking spots.
Is the polyurethane gloss really necessary after double coating weatherproof paint that will last 6 years?
I don’t think adding a drain is possible. I do have a filter though.
|
|
05/08/12 01:48am
|
|
|
#2265696
`
View Profile
|
Message To: Dp525 In reference to Message Id: 2265501
8x4x4 cage questions
I found a 4x4ft sliding glass door for $130 @ home depot. You think its worth it? I’d appreciate a cheaper alternative. There’s also a 3x3 for $110 but i cant fit through it to get inside the cage.
|
|
05/08/12 05:22pm
|
|
|
#2265823
Dp525
View Profile
|
Message To: ` In reference to Message Id: 2265640
8x4x4 cage questions
In regards to the paint, the one I used is Non toxic/VOC free. I wish I would have gotten a natural clay based paint. Honestly, most of the psuedo experts, real experts, and even some zoos don’t have a particular stance on the paint issue, but my thing is I do things one way and spare no expense. I have a thing about keeping animal enclosures as non toxic as possible. I’m anal as hell when it comes to husbandry issues. I can’t tell you if it will be ok, but honestly just make sure it doesn’t chip! just be careful. you already put in allot of work and this is your first cage your doing well. Fluorescent light fixtures are a good economical route, mine are being installed by an electrician tomorrow morning. I’ll be sure to take pics. If your installing the lights yourself just be sure to read up on it. You can grab a basic how to book from the library or hit up Youtube, etc. Just please be careful. If your doing fluorescent though I suggest UVB I mean theres a million people that will tell you it doesn’t matter, but i always think it does, I’ll spare you the technical mumbo jumbo. I would use a ’ceramic heat emitter,’ near the basking area. Bigappleherp.com has them and a lil video on their site. I got mine on amazon for half the price though. I have a 250 watt emitter with a porcelain fixture. I’d try my best to match the climate of the place of origin. A millionnnnnnnnnnnn opinions vary on that too, but poopie head I always came out better with my animals health and longevity when I mimicked their environment. Once again there are cheaper ways and I’m just sharing how I do it. Its best to sit down and look at your info on your animal and make a list of what is needed for their environment and then figure out the most economical and efficient way to achieve it. If you have a water monitor check out the climate charts of Indonesia. I’m always going to promote such things... I hope I was of some kind of assistance.
|
|
05/09/12 06:27pm
|
|
|
#2265864
Krusty
View Profile
|
Message To: Dp525 In reference to Message Id: 2265823
8x4x4 cage questions
Quote: I have a 250 watt emitter with a porcelain fixture.
Very, very, very dangerous amount of heat and energy from these things in a confined space. Bad idea. It is soooooooo much safer to wire up a bank of several lower wattage bulbs (2-4 50Watt Halogen floods for instance) and have bright lighting and heat from this than to have a single 250 watt porcelin fixture that may cook your lizard on contact or potentially be a fire hazard. Seriously, don’t install the ceramic. They’re too hot.
|
|
05/09/12 10:09pm
|
|
|
#2266072
Dp525
View Profile
|
Message To: Krusty In reference to Message Id: 2265864
8x4x4 cage questions
incorrect.. everything is on timers and on a circulation rotation... hired an licensed electrician to do it.... smh...
|
|
05/11/12 04:13pm
|
|
|
#2266075
Varanus_odom
View Profile
|
Message To: Dp525 In reference to Message Id: 2266072
8x4x4 cage questions
Not incorrect bud... what Krusty warned you about is true.
There’s absolutely zero, ZERO, need for a heat emitter of any wattage (250 watts especially) in that type of enclosure. You’re asking for trouble - with or without a "licensed electrician" wiring it up for you on timers or not on timers.
A heat emitter does nothing that lower wattage halogens can’t do more efficiently and safely. Using a heat emitter, you aren’t accomplishing ANYthing that outweighs the very real safety hazard...
|
|
05/11/12 04:39pm
|
|
|
#2266084
Dp525
View Profile
|
Message To: Krusty In reference to Message Id: 2265864
8x4x4 cage questions
That’s why they make thermostats..lol, climate control devices, etc. smh.. have a great friday everyone! I got some new info with citations coming soon...
|
|
05/11/12 06:16pm
|
|
|
#2266087
Varanus_odom
View Profile
|
Message To: Dp525 In reference to Message Id: 2266084
8x4x4 cage questions
Thermostats are not made to allow monitor keepers to use them safely, no. Thermostats can and do fail and when they do, your lizard is nothing but beef jerky.
So again,
Option 1 - Use bank of low wattage halogen floods that supply all of light AND heat needed. More economic, efficient, and most important of all - much more safe. If/When timers and-or thermostat fail, big whoop - a bank of halogen lights are left on and you won’t end up turning your enclosure into a charred mess.
Option 2 - Use high wattage CHE (ceramic heat emitter). Does not supply any light so you’ll need lighting anyways. Produces oven like heat and melts anything that it comes into contact with. If/When timer and-or thermostat fails, you surely end up cooking your monitor and depending on how fast you catch it - your enclosure and house could be burned to the ground.
Get out of the dark 90’s. Come join us in the new millennium of monitor husbandry...
|
|
05/11/12 06:35pm
|
|
|
#2266121
3240
View Profile
|
Message To: Dp525 In reference to Message Id: 2266084
8x4x4 cage questions
Terrible advice.
What species have you kept/do you have? I’ve read a few of your posts and you seem to be new to this yet you act like an expert???
|
|
05/12/12 12:58am
|
|
|
#2266131
`
View Profile
|
Message To: 3240 In reference to Message Id: 2266121
8x4x4 cage questions
Alright then.. Guess i’m going with the low wattage halogen bulbs!
Just finished making the doors with plexiglass. Hopefully i can finish this within a couple weeks, then i’ll post pics.
|
|
05/12/12 02:43am
|
|
|
#2266161
Aragarnn
View Profile
|
Message To: ` In reference to Message Id: 2266131
8x4x4 cage questions
Good choice, very experienced keepers who said what you chose.
|
|
05/12/12 11:15am
|
|
