1) Design the access to the cage first, and build the cage around this. Sliding windows (doors) on the front will probably provide the best and easiest access to the cage, however windows only go to a standard size of 6 feet (for double sliders) anything beyond that is custom and alot more expensive (my biggest mistake thus far).
2) As cool as somethings might be for a cage, keep the design as simple as possible. A box that holds dirt.
3) Tempered glass is twice as expensive as regular glass.
4) Fiberglassing the bottom (substrate area) of a cage adds alot of additional strength, but is definitely not worth the cost or headache. It takes several months to remove all the fiberglass particles from anything that was within 20 feet of where the work was done. Use thicker plywood and FRP instead.
5) Never try to "finish up" a fiberglassing project using cheap (non-professional, ie Home Depot) fiberglassing epoxy.
6) Never try to build an enclosure during hurricane season in Florida (I assume that qualifies for Georgia, Louisianna, Texas, Mississippi and the Carolinas).
7) Make certain you own a pickup truck or atleast have a best friend who owns a pickup truck and loves Home Depot.
8) Two yards of screened limestone (or granite or any other dirt I assume) weighs alot and takes up alot of space. Limestone also multiplies when you are not looking.
9) It is cheaper to order another two yards of screened limestone than it is to try and store the left overs. Plan for a side project such as bricking up your entire yard with the extra.
10) Home Depot no longer seems to carry electric tin snips. FRP sucks to cut by hand.
11) You can never have enough silicone.
12) Design the access to the enclosure first and build around that!!!!!
If this message can help just one monitor avoid having it's side hurt from laughing at their human, I have done my job.
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-Andrew
