Ugrading Loki's Cage

[Ashleigh]

So I have been putting together all the different parts to his new enclosure for some weeks now, and I'm still waiting on a few things in the mail that I ordered online (This holiday mail is killing me!!) So here's my plan of what I will have set up:

24W x 24D x 48H Black screen cage from LLL reptile (got it cheaper for black friday )

Tree fern background panels siliconed to the back screen with aquarium silicone and then covered with a fish tank background behind to protect my wall

3D Rock background that will go 18 inches high from the bottom of the cage also siliconed to back screen

grapewood pieces painted with water-based, non-toxic sealer and attched with coated gardening wire to the sides of the cage

bendable vines wrapped around the grapewood for added grip for climing

multiple types of ferns from a local plant nursery to attach to tree fern background and grapewood (and eventually an orchid or two!)

new arcadia light(6%) along with a 6500K light for plant growth and vitamin D in a two bulb fixture

two basking bulbs, one on top of opposite sides of cage to give more light and basking areas (I'll probably take one away when it gets warm outside again...)

various vines for climbing space and proper gradient temp. control for my little guy

I'll start posting pics when I finally get to start and have all my stuff in the mail! I got the arcadia light and it's amazing! I feel like Loki seems more at home with the extra light and he seems to be eating better also The extra basking light seems to make him happy also. My plan is to not have any kind of potted plants on the bottom for easier cleaning and also a cleaner more natural look. All plants will either be attached to background, rock, or hanging. I'll continue to update

 

[Ashleigh]

I've been starting to put this new cage together and took a few pics of the concept I'm thinking of. The grapewood is connected with some gardening wire to the top back frame, and it seems to be strong enough...I'm letting it hang in there for a few days to make sure it holds, plus I'm still waiting on more tree fern background for the back to come in the mail next week. I'll be hanging some more fake vines for climbing space and more plants for hiding places. I would like to reinforce the piece more if anyone has any ideas?

 

[reptoman]

That looks really good. I do something similar although I usually put a bar across the top and hang the grapevine. 3/4 PVC pipe with a hole drilled in it would be strong enough I would think. I have used wood with 1/4 all thread to hang larger pieces too.

 

[Ashleigh]

Thanks for the reply! I think I will go with the idea of the PVC pipe since that piece of wood is kinda heavy. I don't want the cage to get bent over time and I think the pipe would help distribute the weight that much better. Thanks for the idea!

 

[squeekz1992]

That's awesome! I wanna try something like that!!

 

[reptoman]

Thanks for the reply! I think I will go with the idea of the PVC pipe since that piece of wood is kinda heavy. I don't want the cage to get bent over time and I think the pipe would help distribute the weight that much better. Thanks for the idea!

You might try making an "H" shape with the middle of the H centered over the cage. 2 T connectors and a few feet of pipe and you are good to go. Can't wait to see it!

 

[Ashleigh]

The reveal!

Well, it's finally finished! Here is the finished product:

 

[ibdragons]

That's nice Ashleigh Loki is living large.that looks better than my place do u think he needs a roommate? Me just kidding on the serious side that is a beautiful enclosure.congratulations.

 

[Ashleigh]

That's nice Ashleigh Loki is living large.that looks better than my place do u think he needs a roommate? Me just kidding on the serious side that is a beautiful enclosure.congratulations.

Thank you!!! It was a lot of work but came together nicely, and Loki is currently getting used to it...lol he'd still rather be out in his free range!

 

[lovepicasso]

That looks awesome, may have to stop so much free ranging and make him up a cage like that...love it!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Looking really nice, great work

 

[Ashleigh]

Thanks guys! I'm really happy with how it turned out! He's getting used to it already and exploring He looks relaxed