dissemblable viv?

[Neko no Tsuchi]

Hi. Like a dummy, I bought pets during the most mobile time in my life. I'm moving to a new town with a cat and a beardie. At the moment she's in a custom 75 gallon long that I re-vamped myself. Unfortunately, it's heavy as all sin and a pain to move. My dad (bless his heart) offered to help me build her a custom tank since she's monstrously huge now and too big for her 75 gallon. I want to make a wooden viv, so that it's light, that I can take apart somewhat easily so that I can move its component parts piece by piece, thereby making the whole ordeal less heavy and easier to fit into my vehicle. Bless her heart, my 5'5'', 120lb friend and I (same size) moved a 75 gallon glass tank with ceramic tile flooring up two flights of steps to my old flat and back down when I moved. I will never do that again. Ever.

Suggestions, anyone?

P.S. When I'm done, Anthy's fabulously crafted, 75 gallon tank will be for sale. If you're looking for one, let me know if you're interested. It should be available within the next 2-3 months, and will be posted on the For Sale forum before I sell it. Here's her old setup, made by me:

Hey, if a 20 year old girl can make a custom tank by herself, she can make a take-apart crossfire two years later!

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Buy a pizza or buy a beer or two for them to help you! Maby a neighbor or relative? I would do it for the pizza errrrr maby the beer!! :lol: :wink:

 

[newowner2]

hmmm a take apart cage never herd of it or even thought of it for that matter... well since my brain is always going 100 miles an hour i probablly will think of one and as soon as i come up with one ill let you know
this one is a tricky one hmmm

 

[Neko no Tsuchi]

Anyone done anything like this before who has helpful tips or actual advice?

 

[MaDon]

I can think of a way to create a crossfire design that would be easy to break down but also solid when put together.

It would break down into 4 parts. The bottom, the top, and two sets of the vertical walls (front and side, back and other side). The front/side and back/side pairs would be held to each other by hinges so you could lay them flat when transporting them.
And of course, any sort of glass or plexi-glass doors on the front would also be removable.

All that you would need to do is create an inner track on the top and bottom (any sort of lattice will do -- preferably a tougher wood like oak to reduce the effects of wear and tear). Assuming you use 3/4" plywood, just put the track (maybe 3/4" x 1/4" lattice) 3/4" in from the edge of the plywood. It'll give the walls a stopping point and the walls will hold each other up and you can keep them together using simple eye-hooks and latches.

Was that confusing? >.<

I can sketch you something if it is unclear.

Here's a link to the cage I built last year: [ Invalid URL Removed / p= t=87711 f=34 ]

 

[CalypsoDragon]

I realise this is an old topic and the answer may already have been found but my viv has large holes that go halfway through the wood in the side with a metal fixing in (sorry I dont know what these are called). At a 90 degree angle to the metal fixing is a hole for the screw, you put the screw through this hole and it slots into the metal fixing, you then twist the metal fixing 90 degrees which clamps the screw down, so to dissassemble my viv I just twist the metal fixings by 90 degrees and everything comes apart. Then at the other end I lines the holes and screws up, twist the metal fixing by 90 degrees and yay I have a fully assembled viv! Sorry if this is not much help or the info is too late!

x

 

[drewdizzo]

Sorry for the late response, but I have already done this on 3 vivs for my kids. I basically used the crossfire design, but instead of using nails or screws I used bolts and mating cross dowels (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=367). I bought mine from a local specialty screw supplier. This allow me to detach all the pieces and reassemble. I have moved twice since building the cages and it has been a back saver. All you need is screwdrivers to tear down and setup. PM me if you need additional info or pics.

 

[BeardieBaby69]

I want to make mine where I can break it down too. When I get it worked out , I will let you know. I will try to do video on it as well. I think I have a really good idea, But I gotta see if it works first.

 

[diggerdrake]

RTA (ready to assemble) furniture sometimes use cam locks to assemble parts together. Only draw back I can see is waterproofing the seams unless using caulking to seal them. When breaking down and re-assembling you will hav to remove the old caulk and replace with new.