Drip Pans Coming Soon...

With the marriage and associated activities over and some relaxing and adjustment time I have picked up the ball on this project. I took a trip to my manufacturing shop today and began the process on getting the molds made to make the drip trays. After speaking with him a bit I have finished up my blue print for him. A simple tray modeled after this one:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/Levonian/cage.jpg


This one should be able to handle the standard 18x18 and 16x16 cages, plus any oddball size in-between… 1.5” tall drip reservoir area, 1 ¼” retaining lip for the cage, and about 2.5” worth of lip area to accommodate different sized cages. The cost increase to make two different sized trays would put it over my goal of 19.99. I am thinking that I will get it made from 1/8” ABS; it will be light but very rigid which should support the cages and plants with little issue. Once I take my CAD’s down tomorrow I will have a better time table as to when I will have them, but I plan to have them for the Super Show, if not before.

Please post a little feed back here… Also, I would like a very tentative per order list… Infact, lets not even call it an order… I am bouncing back and forth as to how many I want to get made for my first run after testing and would like to see who would be interested… Goal is $19.99

Here are a few pics...

Hi, count me in. I'm interested in 2 of the 18 x 18.

Thanks!

Mika

Judging from both the responses in my thread and the PM’s and e-mails I received about the cage, I feel confident that there will be substantial interest in these pans. Quite frankly, I’m amazed that somebody took the initiative to do this—well done! I’ll certainly be contacting you at some point in the future to purchase some.

i like!! but i need 36"x24"

You might want to consider a 12x24 base pan as well. I bought the cage starter-kit from the kammers and that's what they have. I'm pretty sure a lot of newbies get their stuff from the kammers, might as well get their business too. Also the the pic you posted of Washoe's cage looks like a 12x24 also.

I will probably do more sizes down the road, however for now I am going to stick with the 2 cages that are the most popular IMOP

Hi Chad,
That's perfect! I want one please!

Vegas Chad said:

I will probably do more sizes down the road, however for now I am going to stick with the 2 cages that are the most popular IMOP

Click to expand...

I have the 24x24x48 cages from LLL, doesn't that seem to be one of the more popular cages?

May I please suggest it being made with a microtube drain so that the excess water runs out and that way when you go to empty it you aren't worried about spilling poo all over your self


i guess the other alternative would be to keep a wet dry vac close by


either way cool product

24x24x48 from Bluebeast here.......

also you may want to consider it having a pressed/raised floor


kinda like legos, so the plant containers stay high and drye when resting directly on it, kind like little canales the water can fall into


check out hydroponic grow trays, the premium ones all have this feature, good luck

24 is a common size however after speaking with both LLL and Reptile-D they sell many more 16 and 18 when compared to the 24. After I see how things go then I will probably get some larger ones made too.

As for the drain of some sort, you should be able to install a bulkhead that either myself or Jason sells to drain away the water via tube once it reaches a certain height. Also, the cages original floor should probably remain with a few holes drilled in to allow the water to drip through to the tray below; however I can foresee some people taking the bottom out all together in which case you can lift up cage items with anything from an inverted bowl to bottle caps.

Hey Chad,

I'm going to need at least:

Qty. 1 - 18x18
Qty. 1 - 16x16

With a lot more to come I'm sure, so please keep me posted. I'm thinking a side-mounted bulkhead would do the best job of keeping things dry.

Cool! I'd be in for some 24"X24" if you ever make them.

I really like the idea... I will be buying some of all sizes once they are ready... But I would really like a 24x24.

I also thought about what Dank said when I saw it... The only input I would give would be, and I think would make the product killer... Would be adding that small bulk head, and a length of tubing, you could sell it not only as a drip pan... But a drainage system without too much extra cost involved. Withut a drain it seems like you would eventually end up with a pool... or a lot of really soppy stuff down there that would have to be cleaned manually emptied pretty regularly. You could have the bottom slightly sloping to the back with the ridges channeling water into an area in the back where it draines out. I am scratching my head on how I am going to drain all my cages once I move them inside... If I found somewhere to buy ready made drainage bottoms that fit my cages i would buy them up in a heart beat. I could have a custom like drainage system like all the cool kids have without having to get crazy with my own plumbing... That would be kick ass!

Hey Chad,
Any word on the trays? We can't wait to see the finished product!

Much to my dismay all of the plastic shops in town want wayyyyyyy too much to make them. I am currently looking for other shops out of town via the internet. Like I said, I want to get them to retail for under $20… If I went with a shop here in town it would be closer to $35 which I think is too much. I am also looking into making my own small vacuum form machine… One way or another I should have some at the SD show even if I have to sell them at the price I get them made for.

sounds like an awsome idea chad... i have seen i few of these before but not sure where they came from or who made em.. 24x24 and 18x18 would be good for me..im hoping i can get out to the sd show..

See yah at the SD show then. I hope you don't run out before I get to you.

I wanted to see how you guys felt about this pan… Jason and I had this one made a while back and I am thinking about getting it made as well as the other design… I have 2 for sale @ $25 per. Shipping will be free if you give me a e-mail full o feedback.

These are 16x16 wide… So all 16” and under sized cages will fit inside it. You can use bottle caps or whatever you have handy to elevate the cage or else it will just sit flush with the bottom.

The cage in the picture is 15”x16” so you can get an idea of how they will sit in this particular pan. With the other pan, the cage will sit on the upper ledge. With any luck I will have some of them this coming week, with the holiday and all plans are subject to change.