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Post by viva4eternity on Aug 12, 2005 7:51:08 GMT -8
This is the space/shape I have to work with for the base of the cage. I can't go any bigger than that, but height is not an issue. I also need to stay below $250. (Money is going to be a loan from dad. ) And I need it to look some-what decent, because it's going to be in the living room. Construction and labor isn't an issue with money or anything; my dad can build it. Any idea's would be good!
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Post by kevman on Aug 13, 2005 3:15:51 GMT -8
Why would you want the angles on the left side of the picture? It's just going to take more time to build because of them.
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Post by Patrick on Aug 13, 2005 6:03:20 GMT -8
Hello
Well that is a weird shape indeed but I thing that would be interesting to build one like that to bad you cannot go bigger. What is the front and what is the back and the sides that would be a good place to start for help. I can give you or show you some ideas. How tall is it going to be?
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Post by kevman on Aug 13, 2005 11:01:30 GMT -8
If you go for a full rectangle you will get more space for sure, plus it will take 1/2 the time to build.
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Post by Marie on Aug 13, 2005 11:19:04 GMT -8
She most likely has a spot for the enclosure that is that particular shape and size.
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Post by kevman on Aug 14, 2005 15:33:49 GMT -8
If that's the problem, then you have to move whatever is there, you will end up spending more time and money on something with that shape.
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Post by rocmills on Aug 14, 2005 15:40:47 GMT -8
I think it's a great shape for enclosure, regardless of the extra work it may entail. If that's the space she has, why not help her build it instead of telling her what *else* she should do, eh?
You could go PVC or wood for the frame; being indoors you wouldn't have to worry about weather affecting the wood too much.
--Roc
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 14, 2005 17:03:43 GMT -8
I agree with Patrick. Interesting shape. I am partial to something that is a little more than a box, even if it is a little more work in the long run. With knowing what the front is and where you prefer the door to be it would be a great help in design ideas.
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Post by viva4eternity on Aug 14, 2005 18:53:33 GMT -8
If that's the problem, then you have to move whatever is there, you will end up spending more time and money on something with that shape. Well, I could move what was in the way, but that would involve relocating a few walls The way our house is, the cage is inbetween a closet wall, and a doorway. If we made the cage a rectangle, it would line up with the doorway, making about a 2 foot gap between the front-left corner of the cage, and the couch. With my gracefullness, and company traffic through that part of the house, It would have to be angled to make a bigger pathway. (It's going to be a bit cramped as-is.) We could round it instead of the angles, but I figured that would be harder and more expensive yet. How tall is it going to be? It can be any height. We have cathedral cellings in that particular room. My dad was thinking somewhere between 6-8feet possibly? What do you guys think? With knowing what the front is and where you prefer the door to be it would be a great help in design ideas. The door has to be in the 2' 4"/3'6" corner on the 3' 6" side. The two strait sides will be against walls, so that's the only place to put the door. My dad and I were thinking like wood on the two strait sides, with mesh on the others, but I remember reading somewhere on here that mesh wasn't the greatest to regulate heat and humidity and such, so what do you recommend? why not help her build it instead of telling her what *else* she should do, eh?. Yeah, I don't have any other space to work with what-so-ever, so there's really no point in trying to help with the rectangle design and such. I appricated it though. This will only be till about next april or may or so. (hopefully if everything works out.) We recently bought our house planning to add onto it next summer, so as soon as I get a bigger room, Iggy will get a bigger cage Maybe (well, probably not, but in the best possible situation) I can work out a deal to get Ig his own room. ) I know the layout explanation was confusing. I'll try to make an overview-layout, but as the scanner's not working, you'll have to handle Paint on windows. sorry!
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Post by IguanaKing on Aug 14, 2005 19:03:47 GMT -8
6' - 8' sound like good heights, with 8' being better. An iguana needs height more than any other dimension. To them, height equals safety...the higher they are, the safer they feel. The dimensions and shape you drew will work well for a little while. I'm glad you are aware that you will need even more space in the future. ;D
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Post by viva4eternity on Aug 14, 2005 19:16:14 GMT -8
IK- I was thinking that it will be next to impossible to get Iggy out of his cage if he's on a self above 7feet. What about if I like make a door type thing to close off the top of the cage while I'm trying to get him out? Or if we made an "iguana door" at the bottom of the cage, and just let him come out when he was ready to come out? The dimensions and shape you drew will work well for a little while. I'm glad you are aware that you will need even more space in the future. ;D Yeah, I should of grown a bit by then, so I think I'll need a bigger cage... oh, didn't I mention? The cage is for me, Iggy's moving into my bedroom
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Post by IguanaKing on Aug 14, 2005 20:59:22 GMT -8
LOL...I know what you mean Viva, just about every decision I make in my home is influenced by how it will affect my igs. Yes...they even have their own bedroom, but they roam as they please when I'm there to supervise. The top of their "cage" (I put it in quotes because they actually LOVE the habitat I built for them, so its not really a means of containing them) is over 7' high. I can reach over my head and get Audrey down from there, since she is only about 8 lbs and 44" STL...not to mention that sweet , easy-going personality of her's. Hercules, on the other hand...I need to, at the very least, stand on a chair to try and get him down. At 16 lbs and 68" STL, if he doesn't want to get down...well...he still does, but not without a considerable struggle. Sometimes though, he strategically positions himself just out of my reach and I just end up saying "OK, enjoy that spot there, buddy." ;D On the "iguana door" subject...it'd probably be best if you built the cage in such a way that you could just leave the main door open when you wanted to, without it interfering with anything.
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Post by Merlin on Aug 15, 2005 5:07:01 GMT -8
Hey sometimes you just have to work with what you have! As I see it you have a couple of options. If you use the two angled parts of the end as the door, it will make it awkward to get in and get hold of the ig. I would make that part of the cage a solid end. if you glass it it will look nicer but you will constantly have the problem of someone bumping it and breaking it as it is in a high traffic position. I would use the long 3'6 side as the doorway and use a glass or plexi window in it. I don't care for screened ig cages. The solid sides will make it much easier to control heat and humidity' It will also prevent you having to explain the white crusty appearance of the floor outside the cage. Iguana snalt! I am constantly having to clean the glasss in the front door of Zok's cage and i can only imagine what the carpet would look like if it was screened! You also might include in the design a small door in the bottom of the front. This "trapdoor" will allow someone to be able to access food and water without having to deal with the iguana in the event you have to have some else come over and care for it. Something along this line
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Post by viva4eternity on Aug 15, 2005 7:39:12 GMT -8
IK- The only bad thing about reaching above my head to get him, is not being able to see him. Seeing as my Iggy is still a baby, then I don't know how much I like the idea of just sticking my hand up and feeling around untill I meet a sharp pair of teeth, or a good tail-whip! Merlin- So maybe a wood frame, with the slabs of plexi-glass on the two angled sides, and the two doors? Then I could just make the two flat sides all wood.
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 15, 2005 16:19:54 GMT -8
Viva, You do not have to mount the shelves at maximum height to start with. If you are concerned with being able to see your little green guy on the shelf, you can start off by mounting them at your shoulder height. Then as he grows, and you get taller and more comfortable, you can just increase the shelf height.
Merlin's idea sounds good. Remember that your habitat design should also reflect a bit of your style and personality as well.
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