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IÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢m looking for input in the conceptual design for my TeguÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s CageÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦
At nearly 2 years old she is 36Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? and has outgrown her 4Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ x 2Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ x 2Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ grow out cage. The cage will be (approx) 7Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ long x 2.5Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ deep (front to back) @ 3Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ tall. It will serve as a stand for a 180 Gal fish tank. The inside of the cage will be painted with Drylock to prevent water/humidity damage.
I am confident in my ability to structurally engineer and build the cage, but want to share my conceptual design to gain foresight in the planning stage.
Water - 12" x 21" @ 12" Deep (Filled to 10"). The water depth can be decreased by increasing the sand/gravel depth in the bottom of this water bin. (Suggestions on water depth for a 36Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? + Tegu wated)
Filter - 12" x 9" Box. Aquarium powerhead installed in left side (output side) pushing water into the 'pond', a sponge in the middle and a open space on the right to house a water heater. (IÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢m a fish geek so this part is right up my alley)
Mulch - 72" x 30" @ 10~12" Deep Cypress Mulch. Note the mulch extends beneath the shelf.
Shelf - 24" x 30"... 12" above the bottom of the tank. The front and rear will be supported by 2"x2"s and the right side will be hinged allowing access to the mulch beneath the shelf.
Lighting - A 4' fluorescent fixture will be attached (centered) at the very top at the very front. This light will be for lighting only. A 3' fixture Will be attached (centered) on the back wall 12Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? above the top of the mulch. The bulb will be facing down and the fixture will be disguised with Styrofoam to look like wood or rock (top open to release heat). This 3Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ fixture will house a UVB bulb. An incandescent fixture with a dome will be attached in the top/right/front corner shining on the shelf. All lighting will be on timers as needed per the season.
Ventilation (not shown) - 6Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? x 24Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? openings will be cut into the sides on the upper part of the side walls on both the right and left. These vents will likely have doors so they can be closed to seal in heat (or smell!) as needed. One of these vents will likely have a 6Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? computer fan incorporated in it (blowing in) which will be switch operated with the potential to be timer operated.
Heat (not shown) - The water feature will contain a water heater keeping the water in the low 80s (*F). 4W per foot heat tape will be taped to the bottom of the tank beneath the shelf (Previous use/experienced verifies this will not overheat). Heat tape will be on timer with lights as needed pending season. Incandescent fixture & bulb will provide some heat. This tank will also serve as a stand for a large fish tank which will be heated to 80*F thus helping to heat the tank.
Humidity - The water Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??pondÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? should supply quite a bit. The tank will be sealed water tight so water can liberally e poured into the substrate. If humidity suffers I will consider adding a waterfall type feature to the Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??pondÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Â.
Input/comments welcomeÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦
At nearly 2 years old she is 36Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? and has outgrown her 4Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ x 2Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ x 2Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ grow out cage. The cage will be (approx) 7Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ long x 2.5Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ deep (front to back) @ 3Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ tall. It will serve as a stand for a 180 Gal fish tank. The inside of the cage will be painted with Drylock to prevent water/humidity damage.
I am confident in my ability to structurally engineer and build the cage, but want to share my conceptual design to gain foresight in the planning stage.
Water - 12" x 21" @ 12" Deep (Filled to 10"). The water depth can be decreased by increasing the sand/gravel depth in the bottom of this water bin. (Suggestions on water depth for a 36Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? + Tegu wated)
Filter - 12" x 9" Box. Aquarium powerhead installed in left side (output side) pushing water into the 'pond', a sponge in the middle and a open space on the right to house a water heater. (IÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢m a fish geek so this part is right up my alley)
Mulch - 72" x 30" @ 10~12" Deep Cypress Mulch. Note the mulch extends beneath the shelf.
Shelf - 24" x 30"... 12" above the bottom of the tank. The front and rear will be supported by 2"x2"s and the right side will be hinged allowing access to the mulch beneath the shelf.
Lighting - A 4' fluorescent fixture will be attached (centered) at the very top at the very front. This light will be for lighting only. A 3' fixture Will be attached (centered) on the back wall 12Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? above the top of the mulch. The bulb will be facing down and the fixture will be disguised with Styrofoam to look like wood or rock (top open to release heat). This 3Ã?¢ââ??‰â??¢ fixture will house a UVB bulb. An incandescent fixture with a dome will be attached in the top/right/front corner shining on the shelf. All lighting will be on timers as needed per the season.
Ventilation (not shown) - 6Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? x 24Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? openings will be cut into the sides on the upper part of the side walls on both the right and left. These vents will likely have doors so they can be closed to seal in heat (or smell!) as needed. One of these vents will likely have a 6Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? computer fan incorporated in it (blowing in) which will be switch operated with the potential to be timer operated.
Heat (not shown) - The water feature will contain a water heater keeping the water in the low 80s (*F). 4W per foot heat tape will be taped to the bottom of the tank beneath the shelf (Previous use/experienced verifies this will not overheat). Heat tape will be on timer with lights as needed pending season. Incandescent fixture & bulb will provide some heat. This tank will also serve as a stand for a large fish tank which will be heated to 80*F thus helping to heat the tank.
Humidity - The water Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??pondÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? should supply quite a bit. The tank will be sealed water tight so water can liberally e poured into the substrate. If humidity suffers I will consider adding a waterfall type feature to the Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??pondÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Â.
Input/comments welcomeÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦