2 down, 3 more to go!(let me know what you think!)

[codykrr]

ok so as some of you may know i decided i was going to make a few displays.(5 to be exact) and i finished the first 2 tonight. after making some errors, and fixing and tweeking some things. i think im happy. now all that i have left to do is make some "natural" looking water dishes and ill be done with these 2. so let me know what you think(ps. the light on top is temporary, i will be replacing it with a 36 inch aquarium light that will be on a timer)


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[codykrr]

oh yeah i forgot to add, the one on the right is my singapore blue female, and the one on the left is my female P. regalis.

And both tanks are 5.5 gallon

 

[ZergFront]

NICE DUDE!!

Is there any chance you'll be in the cage-making business (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge)

 

[codykrr]

haha...maybe, once i figure out the easiest way to make the lids. just takes patients. took me almost a week to get these 2 done...but only because ive been super freaking busy with work, hunting and what not...

 

[Redneck]

Awesome job man!!

 

[DeathsPyro12]

Wow those enclosures look great Cody, now I cant wait to make a few.

 

[codykrr]

there are few tips ill give for those who also want to build this.

1. take your time.
2. measure twice cut once
3. keep he protective coating on till last
4. when using a whole saw drill bit, make sure you make a pilot hole, and drill fast as it will go, or it will crack/shatter the plaxi glass

5. pick plants that need low to medium light and like humidity.(research is a must here)

 

[Steve Calceatum]

there are few tips ill give for those who also want to build this.

1. take your time.
2. measure twice cut once
3. keep he protective coating on till last
4. when using a whole saw drill bit, make sure you make a pilot hole, and drill fast as it will go, or it will crack/shatter the plaxi glass

5. pick plants that need low to medium light and like humidity.(research is a must here)

Good advice for any craftsman!!!! I have a 10-gallon RobC-style setup that originally housed my P. striata (no longer in the enclosure), but will soon be using for a breeder tank. I know you got something good going on there.....and you've done some remarkble work too!!!! Keep it up!!!

 

[Smitty78]

They look great. I suggested this on your last thread, but I would use the piano style hinge instead. They look MUCH better, and hold much better as well.

 

[codykrr]

yeah, i looked for them, but they are hard to find them 7 3/4 inch long..shortest one i seen was 10. i will use them if i ever decide to do up a few 10 gallons like this, but these were just to small width wise, and they make some that you can "cut to fit" but they were all sold out! but i didnt ignore your advice smitty i simply coult find any.

 

[ZergFront]

So the two large ones in the middle are 10gal? I'm horrible with sizes.

Once mine outgrow my largest cages, think I'll be buying some tanks, plexiglass and hinges.

 

[Smitty78]

yeah, i looked for them, but they are hard to find them 7 3/4 inch long..shortest one i seen was 10. i will use them if i ever decide to do up a few 10 gallons like this, but these were just to small width wise, and they make some that you can "cut to fit" but they were all sold out! but i didnt ignore your advice smitty i simply coult find any.

I purchase them in 4' or 5' pieces at Home Depot, or Lowe's. Then I use a grinder, or cutting disc on my dremel to cut them to the length I need.

 

[x Mr Awesome x]

I think they look awesome man! Nice job!

-ben

 

[Ariel]

nice work. I made a similar one for my A. avic ant the glue seperated and then the plexiglass shattered :8o

 

[codykrr]

So the two large ones in the middle are 10gal? I'm horrible with sizes.

Once mine outgrow my largest cages, think I'll be buying some tanks, plexiglass and hinges.

no, there 5.5 gallon, i think 10 gallon is just overkill size wise anyway, though around here 5.5 gallons are the same price as a 10, and a 2.5 gal it more expensive that both!

I purchase them in 4' or 5' pieces at Home Depot, or Lowe's. Then I use a grinder, or cutting disc on my dremel to cut them to the length I need.

yeah, man i live in the country, i have a mom and pop harware store i go to. lowes is 34 miles from me. so thats what i had to work with.

 

[jayefbe]

Great looking tanks. What kind of adhesive did you use to glue the substrate dam onto the tank? Also, how are you keeping the door closed? That always seems like the most awkward part of throwing one of these together.

 

[codykrr]

hot glue. sticks to plexiglass great! and i just made sure that i cut the plexi glass to fit really snug. it literally snaps shut and stays there. now latched needed.

 

[Ariel]

hot glue. sticks to plexiglass great! and i just made sure that i cut the plexi glass to fit really snug. it literally snaps shut and stays there. now latched needed.

I did use hot glue! I don't know what happened. It's probably because the plexiglass, I suck at cutting it so it was kind of uneven. :wall: :wall:

 

[Smitty78]

hot glue. sticks to plexiglass great! and i just made sure that i cut the plexi glass to fit really snug. it literally snaps shut and stays there. now latched needed.

Again, your tanks look awesome. I would NOT trust that they stay shut. I have made over 20 of these. Keep in mind that glass, silicone, soil, and everything else will expand and contract with the change of temp, humidity, etc... Most of mine will stay shut as well without a tank clip in place. Some days these same tanks lids will drop open when I remove the clip due to the elements and environmental factors. I would highly suggest you purchase some 10 gallon tank clips (all mine are 5 gallon as well, but 10 gallon clips work perfectly) or one day you run the risk of losing a good animal. Just my thought!

 

[Xian]

Again, your tanks look awesome. I would NOT trust that they stay shut. I have made over 20 of these. Keep in mind that glass, silicone, soil, and everything else will expand and contract with the change of temp, humidity, etc... Most of mine will stay shut as well without a tank clip in place. Some days these same tanks lids will drop open when I remove the clip due to the elements and environmental factors. I would highly suggest you purchase some 10 gallon tank clips (all mine are 5 gallon as well, but 10 gallon clips work perfectly) or one day you run the risk of losing a good animal. Just my thought!

Absolutely!
Always,Always,ALWAYS Latch you enclosures!