The task commences!!!

[gregmonsta]

Here we go ... the challenge has started!!!

Initial plan

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/vivideas.JPG

Heating detail - heat cable + lighting

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/vivideas2.JPG

Todays efforts

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC06995.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC06993.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC06994.JPG

Size guide ... modelled by the lovely Terri

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC06997.JPG

Tonnes left to do ... but I'll get there .... oh yes!!!

[adamanteus]

Looking good, Greg... you have been busy!
Hi Terri! :D

[anji1971]

It's gonna be beautiful, Greg!
Hurry up so we can see it all finished!;)

[gregmonsta]

:) She says hi too .... lol seeing as she's too lazy to log on herself :P

[infernalis]

Looking good Greg:cool:

Hello Terri.

[Sid]

Good start, Greg. Keep the photos coming as you progress.

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like it will be great. What are you using for a front and entry to the different enclosures? Glass or screen? You have my interest.

[Stefan-A]

Looks promising, Greg. :)

[drache]

cool
what kind of heat? cable?
hi Terri

[gregmonsta]

They'll be glass sliding front doors :) on order through my brother (ie free :D ). The heat cable will provide an ambient warm area and will be pulse statted. The big viv will have a 100watt redlight bulb to keep the air temp comfortable for the everglades ratsnake and all of the vivs will have low wattage spots for daytime light/heat and these will be dimmer statted.

[Lori P]

Looks great Greg! But fess up-- Terri did all the work didn't she? :p

[gregmonsta]

:) you've caught me out there... :D

Shelves finished and getting ready to plinth ...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC06998.JPG

[gregmonsta]

Runners arrived today :D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC06999.JPG

[jitami]

Nice Greg! I can't wait to see the finished product!

[adamanteus]

Aren't you bothered that your light bulbs/fittings will be on view?
I always extend my plinth above and below the floors/shelves to conceal everything, but then I am a little bit OCD!

[gregmonsta]

I won't secure the top plinth until the glass is here ;)

[gregmonsta]

Bought radiator reflector foil and wire fittings yesterday.
Light fittings, heat-cable, extra thermostat and extra plants due tomorrow. :) ... I've got a gig tonight so I can't work on the viv anyway :( but ... I can see me having a busy weekend :rolleyes:. Maybe I can set Terri on sewing pieces of repti-carpet together :p

[prattypus]

Very nicely put together. I may have to commission someone a bit more handy to construct a badd-o home for my gang.

[toff]

Can't wait to see the finished product :). Looking good.

[gregmonsta]

Radiator reflector foil on polystyrene. Attached with staples :D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07000.JPG

[Lori P]

Wow, Terri, it's looking great!!!! :D

[gregmonsta]

Rofl :) ... well ... she did tidy the spare bedroom the other day :rolleyes:

[gregmonsta]

I had hoped my heat cable would have arrived by now. I had two boxes of stuff due to arrive today .... one arrived (containing fake plants and a thermostat) ... the other which was part of the same consignment, as I have just found out, containing my heat cable, food dish and .... A FROZEN FOOD ORDER!!!! Is sitting in an English depot!!! Verdict will be tomorrow ... I can see myself making a complaint or two!!!

[Lori P]

Damn the English!!!:rolleyes::D

[gregmonsta]

Oh well ... food totally defrosted, heat-cable and food bowl not included in the order ... at least the owner of the pet shop was very apologetic and I will have everything by Thursday, including replacement food! ... I hope my light fittings arrive soon ... to give me something to use my power-drill for :D!!!

[gregmonsta]

Found something to do :D .... attached some electrical bits and also put really thin strips of soft velcro into the glass runners for a really snug fit :)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07001.JPG

[infernalis]

I love watching this all come together for you.

[gregmonsta]

:) so do I :D ... and hopefully it will be of use for others too ;)

[gregmonsta]

It's national light-fitting day ... at least for me ... £2 light fixtures from e-bay in brushed aluminium ... the postage was £11 ... still worth it tho

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07004.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07005.JPG

In the big viv

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07006.JPG

Junction box - four spots joined to one cable.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07003.JPG

Tomorrow promises to be heat-cable day (possibly glass too ... if nothing else cross your fingers for me and the build will be complete on Friday) .... (that probably means next week rofl)

[olive oil]

My fingers are crossed:)
Nice light fixtures.

[jitami]

Fingers crossed... can't wait to see it finished :)

[gregmonsta]

Almost there!!! Snakies move in tomorrow!!!

Secured wiring

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07008.JPG

Lighting and heat cable installed

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07007.JPG

early decor

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07010.JPG

Installing climby bits

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07011.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07012.JPG

Full view today

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07015.JPG

[brain]

Almost there!!! Snakies move in tomorrow!!!

Secured wiring

Lighting and heat cable installed

early decor

Installing climby bits

Full view today



I"m impressed. Looks pretty good, I'm a cabinet maker.:cool:

[gregmonsta]

Thankyou :) ... it's my first ever attempt. There were a few failed bits and bobs ... I will have to tidy the top plinth on the bottom viv sometime in the future and I drilled some badly placed holes (I call these unintentional ventilation lol). But I'm really happy with what I've managed to achieve for my scaly friends :D

[Stefan-A]

Not bad at all, Greg. :)

[Snaky]

Looks nice. Well done :)

[infernalis]

:DSuperb, Brilliant, well done.:cool:

[Sid]

Nicely done...looks really great, Greg.

[Lori P]

Wow!!!!!! REALLY nice, Greg!!!!

[gregmonsta]

Cheers guys :D .... snakey moving in pics tomorrow :D

[jitami]

Very nice Greg!!! Well done!!!

[count dewclaw]

Looks great! Can't wait for the "moving in" pictures. :D

[drache]

wow, Greg
really nice - really nice, yes

[Snake lover 3-25]

looks great greg:D

[gregmonsta]

Ok guys here they come ... although I apologise in advance for still having to use my camera phone (I'll update with better pics sometime in the future)

The girl tank is full of peek-a-boo style behaviour and they seem to be getting along just fine.

The boys are driving me nuts as per usual rofl ... with J now in brumation there's only Xerxes and Slithers ... and Slithers has once again decided that his tankmate is a girl and has been chasing poor Xerxes about ... waht a twit!!!

N e Waaay ... here're the piccies!!!

Bachelor pad

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07017.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07021.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07016.JPG

Girls room

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC070221.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07023.JPG

Penelope's pad ... she's 5 foot now!!!

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07020.JPG

[gregmonsta]

Full view :D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07025.JPG

[drache]

that is really nice
great job

[gregmonsta]

Cheers :) ... A little dream come true :D

[Lori P]

Greg, that's just too sweet!!!! Well done!!!!!! I love it. :-)

[jitami]

That turned out so well!!! Nice job Greg!!!

[olive oil]

That is sooo awesome Greg!!!
Wish it was in MY living room. :D

[gregmonsta]

:) ... yer not getting it .... 'tis mine!!!! :D

[infernalis]

Brilliant work Greg. Them are some lucky snakes.:cool:

[reptile3]

Greg, what a wonderful job you have done! It looks really nice. WOW, your Penelope is huge!!!

Okay, now you can come to USA-Georgia, & help me build one!! ha ha

very nice work!!:D

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to watch it from beginning to end. Thanks for sharing. Looks great. If you ever get to Council Bluffs Iowa I'll hire you to build me a set.

[gregmonsta]

Thanks everyone :) ... well, if anyone wants the measurements etc don't hesitate to ask :D

[Snake lover 3-25]

little late.... nice cages!!!!!!:D looks great

[misskris]

MMMM Can I hire you?

[gregmonsta]

:rolleyes:
MMMM Can I hire you?

As long as all expenses are met :D

[reptile_jones]

Very Nice!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

greg, I have to ask, where did you order the runners for your sliding glass doors? I am building a viv system very similar to this one, and we're having trouble finding runners for the glass.

[drache]

Shannon - remember Greg's in Scotland - his source might a bit too far for you to order from
I'll check around here for you
there's a mega glass place up the hill
you might also want to contact enclosure builders to see where they get theirs
these people are very friendly and they also sell tank frames, sheets of glass and acrylic etc, so they might even sell you some of what they're using Glasscages.com - Home (http://glasscages.com/)

[gregmonsta]

:rolleyes: I think the postage could prove difficult ... but just in case - this is the person I sourced my runners from - Glass Runners, Viv Handles And Air Vents - Essex - Reptile Forums UK (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/equipment-classifieds/137144-glass-runners-viv-handles-air.html) - I suppose if you order a lot it might work out good ... they do handles and all sorts of other fittings too.

[reptile_jones]

greg, I have to ask, where did you order the runners for your sliding glass doors? I am building a viv system very similar to this one, and we're having trouble finding runners for the glass.

I was looking for the same thing this weekend. Then today at work i remembered that some one on CS.com posted at link to an online store that sold them.

Here is the link,
Glass Door and Mirror Hardware - Rockler.com (http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=32&cookietest=1)

Dusty Jones

[drache]

that is a very useful link
thanks Dusty

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I did find a store locally that has glass runners! But we may also just use grooves cut into slabs of birch mounted onto the cages. My dad is the drywall contractor here so it's up to him!!!:D I got my glass priced today, it's going to be $123 for my 8 slabs of 1/4 inch thick glass :)..... then about $100 in melamine and backing, and $20ish in odds and ends, at the very most it will be $250 when completed, and.....

it's so worth it!!! It's going to be 6' tall, 4' wide, and 2' deep. Four cages, each 1.5' tall. Sliding glass doors, and a panel mounted to the back of one side for basking lights to clamp to. Basking lamps will be angled through a large screen hole on the side of each viv. The other side will be purely ventilation.

[drache]

sounds great, Shannon
if you're just using wood grooves, you may need to wax them and depending on what kind of substrate you're using, it could be a problem later
I myself would try to find aluminium runners, because in my limited experience they seem to hold up better than the plastic ones, but they're probably more pricey too

[Stefan-A]

Where I buy my aluminium glass runners, they cost me about 7€ per enclosure.

[drache]

being that it's a long-term functional upgrade, it might be worth the extra bucks

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

We have decided to opt for a different type of door other than sliding glass. Running into too many problems getting a decent price from these glass people, they want $125 extra JUST to sand the edges down and another $80 to simply drill 8 holes! That was not counting the cost of the glass itself. we are going to build hinged glass fronted doors instead. a fraction of the cost, and actually more secure for smaller snakes because there's no gap between the glass to worry about.

[k2l3d4]

Ok.... now I would like to place my order....... :)

[gregmonsta]

Send me a stamped addressed human sized box with seat, ventilation and minibar :D

[Stefan-A]

Send me a stamped addressed human sized box with seat, ventilation and minibar :D
If necessary, leave out the seat and the ventilation. ;)

[gregmonsta]

Too true ;) make those fumes last :D

[gregmonsta]

Here I am bumping this old thread ... Well, plans are afoot. I'm considering an order with these guys when the next holiday pay comes my way - Pro-cages Plastic reptiles cages PVC RD 12mm - Home (http://www.pro-cages.com/Pro-Cages-english/index.php) ... My homemade effort has done well but I'm starting to see some warping and general deterioration. The plan is to have a 'main' stack of large plastic enclosures and to rebuild/salvage a set of 4 smaller vivs from the old set (by taking the top two vivs and adding a divider). This is still a couple of months away ... But you know I'm sucker for planning.

[guidofatherof5]

They look good. Looking forward to seeing them in your flat.

[gregmonsta]

It'l be closer to April when I'll put in my order for those. I'll be getting 4 of these - PC05 (http://www.pro-cages.com/index.php/en/cages-and-prices/pc05#8-320045_2348823515091_1085164577_2803684_1004174134 _n_1_) I've been in discussion with the owner, who is very helpful, and he's helping me make the right choice for size of heatpanel. He's actually ordered some in to do some testing on static tanks. Great customer service so far.

My old stack will be facing an overhaul. I'll be keeping the top two vivs, stripping them, re-sealing them and then putting in a dividing wall. This will give me four 2' vivs to work with for smaller snakes/moving snakes around at breeding time.
The rest of the old stack will be re-organised and I should get a nice 4' viv out of it to give to my singer whose ratsnake needs and upgrade.

I'll see how things go, I can see myself ordering more vivs from pro-cages in the future if they match my expectations.

On another note .... already bought: 6m plastic ivy, black silicone, lots of screws and fittings, a new saw and a new set of drill bits .... be prepared!!!

[gregmonsta]

Plans changing once again :o... I've spent the last three days digging every old enclosure I could find from the attic.
I currently have - 2 x 2' glass vivs, 1 x 3' glass viv and a 50L plastic tub ready to receive some of John's snakes. Being a horder has had positive results here as I have enough heatmats and furnishings for all of these (I even have an extra enclosure) and have only needed to order 1 extra thermostat. I'm taking on 7 adults: 2.2 T.m.marcianus and 1.2 T.s.sirtalis (Florida blue). I am satisfied that I can provide adequate accomodation for them until I order the new enclosures and set them up in April. These guys are set to stay for the foreseeable future.

I have other headaches to deal with now though. I have an order with Sjoerd for 7 new additions in September. My collection is about to sky-rocket this year by twice what I thought.
My collection is currently set to reach the following total:

2.2 T.m.marcianus
2.2 T.s.sirtalis (Florida blue)
2.2 T.r.radix
2.2 T.s.parietalis
1.1 T.s.infernalis
1.1 T.s.concinnus (potential for 2.2)
0.1 T.p.orarius
1.0 T.a.atratus
1.1 E.o.rossalleni
I'm looking at running a minimum of 10 x 4' enclosures. I will be ordering 5 of the plastic enclosures and am now looking at turning my existing 4 viv refurb into an expansion project. I think it is possible to divide this into 5 enclosures by the end of April. Penelope (my E.o.rossalleni female) will face a reduction in the height of enclosure she has been accustomed to. Fortunately this won't be an issue as she doesn't really use the height I've so far provided.
I guess the last thing to plan for will be the replacing of the newly created wooden vivs with plastic equivalents later in the year and then converting the wooden set into smaller groups of 2' vivs for 2013.

[chris-uk]

Glad to know you managed to find what you needed in the attic. I'm probably going to be shopping soon to setup a second new viv - one for each of John's radix. I have one sat on the livingroom floor, but the second will depend whether John has a suitably sized tank I can borrow for the second radix.

My plan is to use an Ikea wardrobe shell as racking for our ExoTerras when we move house in a few months, but until then it's a matter of fitting on existing surfaces.

[EasternGirl]

Sounds like quite the project you have ahead of you, Greg...and quite a collection of snakes you are looking at as well. I give members that have many snakes a lot of credit...It gets challenging sometimes just caring for the four that I have now...and I will be getting two more in the spring. I think six will have to be my limit for a while. What you and Chris are doing for John is wonderful. Your viv project sounds exciting!

[gregmonsta]

I think six will have to be my limit for a while.

The collection is going to be wrth every little piece of the effort. I keep saing that 'limit' phrase myself .... beware ....

Anyhoos ... quick look at what is there -

You old hats may recognise these. The top enclosure actually housed my first ever pet snakeys at one point.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/a11.JPG

It has served as a temporary home for a host of my beasts as my quaranteen/growing on enclosure of choice.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/a21.JPG

This one is the enclosure that was part of my 'getting back into the hobby' time. It housed expensive cat food ... as well as Slithers and J for an extended period.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/a31.JPG

I was given this old aquarium by a relative about 3 years ago. It has been in my attic ever since. It has cleaned up quite nicely, me thinks. It will bring the magic of snakes to my kitchen for the first time.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/a4.JPG

A couple of shots of the enclosures that birthed this thread. They have done well as a first build. You can see my issues with the bowing of the wood though. I think the size is part of the issue which is why I will eventually downsize these in the future. The refurbishment will keep these going for a wee while yet.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/a51.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/a61.JPG

[EasternGirl]

Very nice. I really like the ones in the bottom pics that you built...they are fantastic. And yes, I say I am going to stop every single time I get a new snake! :rolleyes:

[guidofatherof5]

I must ask what you need with a flintlock.
Your garters can't be that much trouble.:D

[gregmonsta]

Very nice. I really like the ones in the bottom pics that you built...they are fantastic. And yes, I say I am going to stop every single time I get a new snake! :rolleyes:

That's the spirit ;)


I must ask what you need with a flintlock.
Your garters can't be that much trouble.:D

Shhhhh Steve! ... don't give them a reason to test my only line of defence!!! :eek:

[Stefan-A]

I must ask what you need with a flintlock.
Your garters can't be that much trouble.:D
Every garterkeeper needs a flintlock.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/garbage/larry.jpg


Actually, Greg's looks like wheellock.

[gregmonsta]

Every garterkeeper needs a flintlock.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/garbage/larry.jpg


Actually, Greg's looks like wheellock.

It is indeed ;) my flintlock snapped in half a while back :eek:

[andycul]

I must ask what you need with a flintlock.
Your garters can't be that much trouble.:D

I thought it was more for keeping the cat and pesky flatmates in line :D

[gregmonsta]

Well, it's just as well I test things in advance. I ended up moving the kitchen tank into the living room today. Overnight the heatmat struggled and, despite the hot-spot being at the required temp, a cold end drop overnight to 15C didn't sound right to me. Things are much steadier in the living room and I'm much happier with the gradient. 30-20C makes me a lot happier :D

[gregmonsta]

We'll, the task re-commenced a couple of days ago. So far my old melamine stack has been emptied, the backboards have been loosened and the heat-cable has been removed. The aim is to complete the re-fit before my new concinnus girls arrive in 10 days.
The old stack will go next to the new vivs in my living room. With the snakes I'm getting in September my groupings will be as follows:
1. Everglades ratsnake female on her own
2. Everglades ratsnake male on his own
3. Mixed group boys sirtalis 2/marcianus 2/ radix 2
4. Mixed group boys concinnus 2/ parietalis 2/ infernalis 1
5. Florida blue sirtalis girls 2 + Panama
6. Parietalis girls 2 + infernalis 1
7. Radix girls 2
8. Concinnus girls 2
9. Marcianus girls 2

There might be some shuffling depending on sizes. I'm thinking about other things both for when I order another set of pro-cages in the future and for streamlining the collection ... I can point to two orange monsters that may find new homes in the future .... still thinking on that one.

[chris-uk]

By September you're going to have some impressive garters (not that the current ones aren't), between the concinnus and infernalis... Nice.

We're moving house next month, and assuming we get the one we looked at on Tuesday Char has suggested that the spare living room becomes a snake room (with a desk in there for her to study at). I may still need to have a couple of garters in my office, I've got used to having the Cuitzeos with me. Unfortunately, with little Joseph on his way I can't add too many more - I'm being allowed some infernalis (so I'm watching for progress on Sjoerd's infernalis litter), maybe I'll be able to slowly slip a few more into the room ;).
At the moment I'm enviously looking at your setup.

[gregmonsta]

maybe I'll be able to slowly slip a few more into the room ;).


You'd better keep some space :rolleyes: ... I've got to have somewhere to deposit future offspring :p

[gregmonsta]

I actually completed the re-furb on Sunday. The only thing that's holding me back is the thermostats that I ordered more than two weeks ago that haven't arrived.
I contacted the company yesterday and they were very apologetic and sent out a replacement package immediately ... I should get it later today so I'm hoping to do my final install either tonight or tomorrow evening. At any rate I'll be starting a new thread with links to this and the Pro-cages thread.
THe re-furb turned out relatively ok. Penelope's viv will never be the easiest to open but I have more confidence in this stack surviving until I can afford my next stack of pro-cages and the fittings required. One year max.