Reptile & Amphibian Forums

finally done .

i need to add some more trim to the outside as soon as more $$$$ is available . i had some heath issues and spent a few day in the hospital so money will be tight for a while . his bigger outdoor enclosure will be next springs project .100% water proof inside and out . inside has three coats of waterproof masonry paint and then covered with kitchen veneer over that on the sides . the top has 5 coats of paint coats 3 masonry paint and two coats of waterproof bathroom paint . I let the paint dry and air out for 3 weeks and the tile and grout for a week and a half until NO fumes were present . He loves his new enclosure . But is spending most of his time outside .

I removed the dome on the right .it plenty warm with out it . he has around 110 -130 deg basking area and plenty UVB .

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It's also very very easy to keep spotless , humid and warm . I have 20 wheels under the enclosure so the weight is distributed and easy to move . I have two 48'' florescent light fixtures ( only one shown when this photo was taken ) with one 10.0 and one 5000 K each 20'' over his basking area . they are on timers so the heat and UVB increases from 11 am to 5 pm and then starts decreasing until they shut of at dark . The floor alone weight over 300lbs with all the 2x4'', 1/2 plywood , 3/4 fibreboard , tile and grout / I the floor is a little overkill so i can add large rock if i want. I don't even want to think about how much $$$$ i have sunk into this enclosure . I will never tell my wife how much . I told her i had over 400 in it . WAY OVER !!! LOL

All I can say is...WOW!

That's amazing Robert. What are the dimensions?

I am so sorry to hear you haven't been well!

We were hoping to do our big outdoor enclosures last year but due to my husband's health issues they got postponed. We're determined to get them done this year, though. Our first priority though are the bench cabinets in the kitchen which will give us much needed storage and inside basking areas for the iggies.

I'm sorry to hear that you are sick, too! I know how it feels. I myself is diagnosed with bipolar disease. I've been struggling with bipolar since I was 13... Now, I'm 35, turning 36 in Oct...

I am 55 and have a bad neck, bad back , bad ankles , chronic head aches ( spinal head aches ) all this from driving truck 25 years and way too much lifting , for someone 6'5''. Then i also have attention deficit , a sleeping disorder and because of all the above depression .like who would not have depression when they are in pain 24/7 . In the last few months i have fallen and crushed my nose , a brain concussion and had my nose reconstructed all this from prosaic , it slowed my heart down so much i passed out and i fell face first on the Kitchen counter CORNER/EDGE . I almost bled to dead too !! The prosaic sure helped NOT !! Then two week ago i got a abscesses in a gland in my neck and it swelled up overnight to the point i could not swallow , not even my own spit or liquid medicine to stop it . so i had to be admitted to receive antibiotics and pain meds through a iv for two days. Then the abscess drained , my fever spiked 103.2 . they then iced me down . I lost 12 lbs in those two days . I am still waiting for all the med bills from the broken nose and surgery .$$$$$$$$ . then all the bills from my neck $$$$$ some time i need back and neck surgery too. I wanted to have his outdoor cage done by now also . Next year . Working on his cage did help keep my mind off the other crap though .

this is before i really looked bad LOL right after i got stitched up !! The next week day i looked like someone beat me to death . LOL

I see I'm not the only one who had it bad... Not to sound mean, but it kindda makes me feel normal again. I guess you know what they say...misery loves company. I was admit/taken to 51/50 3 times in short interval. My parents had to call 911 because I was out of control. And The medication that I take, which is called Abilify, slows my metabolism down and it makes me sleepy all the time. I have to take 200 mg of vitamin E every other week to help prevent uncontrollable muscle spasms on my face for people who take bipolar and schizophrenic medication long term; I have to take the med the rest of my life. The only thing that keeps me focus is my turtles and lizards.

Even with my heath issues it sure could be WAY worse . I know three people dealing with cancer . I just wish i could sleep . that's what wares me down , then i get week and sick . We need to be as nice as we can to everyone , we don't know what going on in their life . But hey life is still good and i still have a lot of fun too .

I really enjoy my rhino , i can sit and watch him for hours , with all the heath issue i have , i am considered disabled . So I have plenty of time to watch my rhino and work with him . i think that's why he's so tame , as i have spent hours and hours with him each day .

Someone should do a study to see if there is a connection between people with chronic illness and an obsession with reptiles. I have MS and depression issues.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

pets really do help you feel better IMO . I have soend hours and hours up at all night laying on the floor scratching and rubbing my labs belly . we both love it !! LOL

my favourite photo of Jake .

a few years ago .

its 4'x4'x 10' 10' foot is as big as i could go and still be able to move it around in the room and clean behind and under it . I needed a enclosure that could be taken apart and removed by my wife and boys , if/when i can no longer take care of him . its modular and in 5 peace's that bolt together with around 15 bolts . If i were younger and healthier i would have converted the whole room .

what nice is his cage is big enough that i can climb inside and set and let him crawl on me or take photos and its easy to clean .

here it si before i added all the lights .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH97R-53RCs

video link . i hope this works .

You really did an amazing job.

thanks !!

OMG its like a cyclura extreme makeover home addition. It even has ceiling molding...lol its not an enclosure, its a house.

kinda over kill , but i wanted to make him a really nice enclosure . one that is easy to keep spotless , good lights so i can avoid any more heath issues . its funny to see the look on some ones face , when i open the door and they see his enclosure for the first time . Its huge or wow is the usual response .

Looks great and well thought out. Your devotion to your cornuta is obvious in your posts. The portrait of your ig is really a nice pic.

jf

thanks !! I think these guys are amazing AND HAVE WANTED ONE FOR YEARS . I saw my first rhino in chico calif 18 years ago .