A few days ago I ordered a DIY Cages Critter Condo for Darwin, my redfoot hatchling; it arrived today and I assembled it this afternoon.
I ordered it from the manufacturer's page on Ebay, and it was $297, shipped. I've seen the threads on making your own, but it seemed questionable as to whether that'd be either (or both) more expensive and less attractive in the end, so I went with a prefab that I could assemble.
This is what mine looks like, except mine's in a way messier office. It's made from CF/PVC, has sliding glass doors, includes a thermometer and a hygrometer with internal sensors, and comes with fixtures and wiring for both an incandescent and a fluorescent light.
It comes in a flat pack, but is relatively easy to put together (even the lighting) ... the only thing I did extra was run a bead of silicone around the bottom joins, and about four inches up each corner join, to prevent water from leaving via the seams.
I know it won't work for Darwin when he's an adult, but that's a problem for "a couple of years from now Jamie".
I was impressed with how sturdy the enclosure is when assembled, while still weighing in at a bit less than 50 pounds.
I was also impressed by how responsive the people at DIY Cages are ... I called the number on their website, confused by something in the directions, and a guy called back within a couple of minutes to walk me through it ... the fluorescent light didn't work when I first turned it on, and when I called the number again, the guy called back, again, within a few minutes with an offer to send a new light fixture overnight, but by that time, I'd fiddled with the bulb and got everything working.
I think it's possible that the slits in the side for ventilation will allow too much moisture and heat to escape, but it should be a relatively easy thing to cover some/most/all of the slits once I've got it up and running.
I'll post more pictures in the coming days and weeks as I transition Darwin into his new home, and he gets used to his fancy digs.
Jamie
I ordered it from the manufacturer's page on Ebay, and it was $297, shipped. I've seen the threads on making your own, but it seemed questionable as to whether that'd be either (or both) more expensive and less attractive in the end, so I went with a prefab that I could assemble.
This is what mine looks like, except mine's in a way messier office. It's made from CF/PVC, has sliding glass doors, includes a thermometer and a hygrometer with internal sensors, and comes with fixtures and wiring for both an incandescent and a fluorescent light.
It comes in a flat pack, but is relatively easy to put together (even the lighting) ... the only thing I did extra was run a bead of silicone around the bottom joins, and about four inches up each corner join, to prevent water from leaving via the seams.
I know it won't work for Darwin when he's an adult, but that's a problem for "a couple of years from now Jamie".
I was impressed with how sturdy the enclosure is when assembled, while still weighing in at a bit less than 50 pounds.
I was also impressed by how responsive the people at DIY Cages are ... I called the number on their website, confused by something in the directions, and a guy called back within a couple of minutes to walk me through it ... the fluorescent light didn't work when I first turned it on, and when I called the number again, the guy called back, again, within a few minutes with an offer to send a new light fixture overnight, but by that time, I'd fiddled with the bulb and got everything working.
I think it's possible that the slits in the side for ventilation will allow too much moisture and heat to escape, but it should be a relatively easy thing to cover some/most/all of the slits once I've got it up and running.
I'll post more pictures in the coming days and weeks as I transition Darwin into his new home, and he gets used to his fancy digs.
Jamie