"Okinawa" Project

[SludgeMunkey]

Here is some of the preliminaries of this large project designed for Cynops ensicauda popei

I'll post a few pics each day to show you folks the construction process.





This is an oblique view of the Upper Cabinet. While not drawn to scale the dimensions are as follows:

48 inches long
17 inches high (back dimension)
19 inches wide
6 long inches (front dimension and top)
17 1/8 inches X 48 inches for the angled Polycarbonate cover
6 X 48 inches (front and upper Polycarbonate panels)

And here it is with the fans for temperature and humidity control installed:




The case includes (not pictured here) a programmable thermostat/hygrometer that controls the fans, Timer for the lighting, Lighting and a water pump. I'll show these in detail in the construction photos. The main window opens forward and has a retractable mesh suspension system to minimize escapes while doing maintenance. Water testing and changes can be done without opening the main case. Also not pictured is the "feeding" port for getting live foods into what will hopefully be a nearly escape proof design for both critters and live foods.

My goal here is to build the entire project, including landscaping for 300 USD or less. So far I am exactly 128.95 USD into it, most of the cabinet materials have been purchased.

[Chu'Wuti]

So, if I'm interpreting this correctly, you're going to have close to 6 inches of water depth for these newts? This is a very interesting design. You appear to have thought of every contingency--including escapes! I can't quite envision the mesh suspension system--will it retract into the top of the case when you close the top or ????

[SludgeMunkey]

Correct. These newts go through a relatively long terrestrial phase once morphed, so the water feature will be about 5 inches in depth at most in the pond end. The bulk of it will be the waterfall and stream running through it.

The retractable mesh sides for the "door" are merely plastic window screening rolled around a spring loaded shaft, the "business" edge of which is affixed to the edges of the main window panel. The panel is hinged at the bottom, so when opened outward, the screening is kept taught. When closed, the screen rolls back up, where it is hidden in the frame. I am not sure if I can truly explain it in text very well, but the pictures will be up soon...

[Chu'Wuti]

Is the screen spring-shaft enclosed so no animal can get up into it?

It sounds like the screen on our deck door. It's a great way to hide the screen when it's not in use and to protect it from damage as well.

[SludgeMunkey]

Yes , it is recessed into the side panels (one of the reasons the frame is so wide) and is mounted so that the screen unrolls on the exterior of the enclosure.

[SludgeMunkey]

Here are some pictures of the project as it slowly moves along. lessons learned in previous projects have forced me to slow down the entire construction to allow proper drying times. You may also notice changes to the overall design done "on the fly", as some ideas that work well on paper are just a complete fail in reality.


The frame in it's early stages.


The rocks and water feature base.


The first coat of tapecrete on the rock base.

And, somewhat unrelated, the first of the Cynops ensicauda popei larvae morphed the other day...here he is on his very first "hike" on dry land. He has about 40 siblings that will follow over the next few weeks.

[beckdg]

that is great... very interesting build... the baby is a cute one also.

[froggsong]

Very cool. Any updates?