Started my new dragon enclosure this weekend. Every new project has it setbacks, I just didn't expect it before I even cut a single piece of wood. lol Ever heard of the builders expression, "measure twice, cut once"? Well, I am glad that I did...or I would have had a heartbreaking nightmare.

I rent a small house that does not have standard door and doorway measurements. My original blueprint was for a 6ftx6ftx3ft enclosure. Figuring, if/when I wanted to move, 3ft would be ok to get out the front door. Well, something was nagging me to measure to opening to the font hall just to be sure. Sure enough, the front hall opening is only 27 inches wide and just 70 inches tall. Oooops!

The enclosure is now a 4ft high x 6ft wide x 2ft deep. It will sit on a separate base, giving an extra 2ft in height. More work, more wood, more redesigning...but definitely worth it for Drago to have as much room as possible.

I have never built anything this big before...so it is a learn by error experience. I have had 3 surgeries on my right hand in the past years..so progress seems a bit slow to me, but I am happy with my one days work. Never knew how heavy 3/4" plywood was! lol Fortunately I have a garage to have done all of the cutting it and then carried the pieces into the basement to be assembled. Whew!

Today is going to be wood filler & sanding day. I love my "mouse" sander...will make the job go much faster! This week will be building the base stand. By this weekend, I am hoping, the whole cage should be ready to be brought upstairs and stained.

Posted a few pic's of the progress so far.

Attached Images

	4ft tall 6ft wide 2ft deep.jpg (18.5 KB, 0 views)
	Walls and sides.jpg (18.6 KB, 0 views)
	Complete box.jpg (16.5 KB, 2 views)
	Cage back.jpg (13.4 KB, 0 views)

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"Dare to Dream! Without dreams, there is no Hope."
***Tami***

We will be interested to see the project progress.
Something I would advise with as heavy as it is going to be.
Build a good solid base and put it on wheels!
If you have to move it it will make things much easier!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I agree 100% with Merlin! You'll need to be able to move it when needed. While decorations are WONDERFUL...keep in mind they'll add to the overall weight and ease in cleaning. There are some good ideas for building "rock" structures" out of the expanding foam using primers, paints and sealers after sculpting them. Just some ideas to give you something extra to work with...especially with something so wonderfully massive...

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Veronica
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Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~

Thanks for the tips! The base will be on wheels but the top can't..cuz it will be sitting on the base. I will have to get some strong arms to help me get it out of the basement...lol I had planned on doing the great stuff "rock sculpture" on the back wall and leaving the side walls natural to keep the weight down. Maybe just add an ivy trellis to one side. On the other side wall, I thought of adding a removeable tropical "tree" plant for Drago to climb on and it can be removed when I have to move the cage. Thoughts?

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"Dare to Dream! Without dreams, there is no Hope."
***Tami***

Forgive my ignorance. I haven't read your other posts. What kind of dragon is this for?

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Veronica
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Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~

Not a problem...My female Chinese Water Dragon, Drago

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"Dare to Dream! Without dreams, there is no Hope."
***Tami***

Also wanted to add in: TAKE YOUR TIME! you don't need to hurt yourself, plus if you try to rush it then you tend to make more mistakes. Take you time with everything...

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I have a male, as well. I wanted to put them both in there but I have had some dominance issues in the past.

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"Dare to Dream! Without dreams, there is no Hope."
***Tami***

Thanks Shell. I know..but it is so hard for me when I do a new project...lol I get soo anxious! I am going to be gone a week in California...so I was hoping I could get the staining done before hand so it will be nice and dry when I get back. When it comes to placing the basking shelves properly and the rest of the additions, believe me...I will be taking it slow and picking ya'll brains! lol

__________________
"Dare to Dream! Without dreams, there is no Hope."
***Tami***

Water Dragon!! Lovely! They're so personable!

*Plexi front? If so...don't forget your vents.
*Pool in the bottom? See about getting the cage high enough off the ground you can just pull a plug in the pool and drain it into a shallow bucket.
*And a filter to the pool not only for help in keeping it clean, but WDs like the motion. I had a pool with still water but added a bubble wand. The WD laid on the bubbles.
*Can you add a misting system? I'm trying that with the chameleons...ain't goin' so well...but I keep trying.

__________________
Veronica
,,
/_^.)///////////,,,,,
...\\\_#_#_#_//_#_#_#_#_#_£_£_&_&_
..._//......_\\
Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~