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Post by bouncy on Mar 17, 2019 12:35:08 GMT
My mother is constantly complaining about my goo setup. She thinks they're great, has become very attached to them, but thinks the delinquent enclosure dangerous. The reason is that, to maximise space for them, their deep section overhangs the liberta . I got sarcastic with her, by putting up reflectors and hi viz tape on the corners (which she admitted she'd not even noticed). Cue a few weeks ago, having a bad day, I turned around and smacked my own head into a corner (blood, concussion ,headaches). So maybe she's right........ Random background thinking and Googling led me to deciding I wanted it to be primarily metal (the pups have started gnawing through the ply that makes the outside of their cage), aluminium because bits powdercoating have lifted on the Liberta where bottles have leaked etc), and came across a couple of aviary companies that would possibly make it. Sent them these drawings (with notes) based on their production. Three weeks later, I've had no reply, and no one answers the phone. I then had a brainwave, and started converting this into a DIY build using the same profiling as the goo gate. The plans are altering, more by method than design, on a daily basis. I'm going to order the aluminium, so it'll arrive as soon as I get back from Cyprus. In the meantime, I can sort out my remaining tweaks! Basically, each group will have three levels (31,000 cm 2 each), which will include a burrow section, a deep built-in tray, and the possibility in the future to open it up to one huge group! Keen to hear thoughts, and will have more updates in just over a week!
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 17, 2019 19:32:34 GMT
Are the diagrams above for one group/one cage, or for both groups in a divided cage? Or are those what you sent to the aviary place, but your plans are beginning to look different since not hearing back from them and now thinking DIY?
The CARA you will have for each group sounds amazing!
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Post by bouncy on Mar 17, 2019 21:41:02 GMT
It's a single cage for both groups, that will give them three levels each. Both groups will end up with slightly more space than they have now. With the exception of the burrow/wheel level, they'll be about 30cm in height. The wall sections will now be aluminium instead of plastic, and I'm going to use the same big holed mesh that Sausage used to make his train noises. I think I've settled on the floors being white furniture board, fully edged. I can just imagine the pups going mental running the whole 180cm length! I'd love to make it two metres, but that would stop me from opening my fridge/freezer doors
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 18, 2019 15:39:24 GMT
I think it should work well if you can get hold of the different sheets and profiles of aluminium that you need. So, back and sides from aluminium sheet with holes in? Only thing I can think of is to make sure you can fully access the 750mm deep level at all heights for cleaning, I'm sure you've already thought about that though. Could you build something in to protect the lower levels occupant's toes from free range nibblers? Like folding flap or door cover. Have you got something chunky for the uprights? I think it will be great
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Post by bouncy on Mar 19, 2019 0:11:41 GMT
I will definitely be protecting toes!
The upper part of each level will now be mesh and, like the existing setup for the pups, the floor above each burrow section will lift off for access.
The posts and crossbars will all be made from Bosch rexroth profile, which I've used before for the goo gate, and is great to work with.
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 19, 2019 4:12:04 GMT
Now you've decided that you want to build again . . . your fingers will be itching to get to it.
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Post by bouncy on Mar 19, 2019 4:19:42 GMT
Not sure about that! It took me three sessions, each a week apart, to put the new indicators on and rewire part of the bike - I just get so tired now! And pushing myself to do stuff when I can't concentrate can be very expensive!
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 19, 2019 4:30:48 GMT
I completely understand that, Bouncy! I seldom get through a day without my body shouting that it needs a nap, often as early as 10:30 AM. Or just taking over and making me nap. Thankfully, not while driving, but then I don't have to drive too far most days either. Thinking is really hard. I've been trying to be settled for sleep before 11:00 each night, and am often up about 6:15 in the morning. Nights usually have less than 6 hours sleep, often no more than 4. I experience too much pain to sleep solidly, so shift and turn and massage and lay awake lots. Although in the last 4 days I have been trialing a CPAP machine to see if that will treat some very mild apnea and maybe help reduce fatigue that way. Too soon to know yet. But . . . what an experience!! Each night I have something new to relate and laugh over. LOL
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Post by bouncy on Mar 19, 2019 8:53:13 GMT
Lol!
At the moment, I'm sleeping around 14hrs each night. Worryingly, I have narcolepsy drugs, can take them, then still fall asleep again for another five hours straight afterwards. The brain fog sometimes make me seem like I suffer from dementia, but at least I know why my dad was always misplacing things.
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 19, 2019 12:03:34 GMT
Brain fog and fatigue are both so hard to deal with and work around, both are just black holes I need to adjust the saying to 'check piece of paper for measurement 5 times, measure 3 times, cut once' and still need the saying 'minimise fuss and regret if/when you mess it up and need to go to shop for extra supplies'. I hadn't come across those profiles before, they look cool
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 19, 2019 16:17:12 GMT
I agree Moletteuk. I'm feeling the effects of both this morning . . . keep putting in the wrong words, or spelling, or completely different words than what I was thinking. I think my fingers are on auto type this morning and have been infected with the auto correct bug.
I have easily slept 14 hours a day . . . in fact . . . this new experience of an average of 4-6 hours (sometimes as little as 2) is something that only started mid way through December. It's just weird!
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Post by bouncy on Mar 31, 2019 1:05:13 GMT
So, everything EXCEPT the actual framework has arrived, and I'm getting excited for the building process!
I have a decision to make, though, re lighting.
I'm going to stick with the leds I have in the pup cage, but extended to cover both groups. The stripes I have fit perfectly into a slot in the aluminium profile, with no added goo protection needed. However, the available slot is at a height of about 10cm. Given this isn't UV lighting, does anyone think having the general lighting for each level at a height of 10cm ok, or should I just protect it and fix it to the ceilings?
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 31, 2019 3:49:48 GMT
Do you mean only 10 cm above the surfaces they will be running on? In the frame work of the cage, or where in relation to the level surfaces?
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Post by bouncy on Mar 31, 2019 10:24:04 GMT
10cm above the floor for each level
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 31, 2019 15:52:31 GMT
I think it might depend how diffuse the lights are, so maybe those little LED strip lights would be OK but if it's pretty bright I think above would be better.
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Post by bouncy on Apr 8, 2019 8:46:02 GMT
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 8, 2019 10:05:23 GMT
Oh lordy, that's a lot of hand sawing!
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 8, 2019 16:27:59 GMT
WOW!! How do you attach the wire mesh? It all has a really nice clean look to it!!
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Post by bouncy on Apr 8, 2019 17:20:47 GMT
Like this! The door frame section is 25mm, but the main frame is 30mm. Add the mesh and bar over the top, and it takes it to 30mm!
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Post by bouncy on Apr 8, 2019 18:05:44 GMT
Et voilà! One completely goo-proof door! Just another nine to go!
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