Eric Adrignola
Avid Member
I mistyped - it's $20.00
Online stores that sell misting systems sell it for $40.00.
now get back to work on those drip trays!
Custom Molded Drip Trays - Sizes? Internal or External?
- Thread starter LaserGecko
- Start date
- Status
I mistyped - it's $20.00
Online stores that sell misting systems sell it for $40.00.
now get back to work on those drip trays!
Scotty
New Member
Jason/Chad...
Awesome idea, hope it all goes well for you guys!!!
I see benefits for both internal and external drainage systems, although in my experience I feel external slightly oversized to the enclosure base is a definate 100% water catcher, whereas with an internal fitting sub-floor, water (unless super snuggly fitted) will most always make it's way out of the enclosure when spray hits plants that are touching the sides of the enclosure, it may not be much, but if your designing a new product all input can help solve all of the niggling issues!
As dodolah said, plant "raisers" incorporated into the tray only limit the end user to their individual design and setout of their new enclosure. MORE importantly from a manufacturing and then sale viewpoint, it would cause more hassles to have these added to your design and obviously cost more to produce with the extra bits. IMO
Are you going to go all the way and have a catchement vessel to go with the tray for the enclosures?
This then solves all of the drainage issues..
Again, good luck guys, make sure you get the Patent before someone else does...beleive me I have Invented and Patented 2 x tools for the Electrical Trade, one of them I was using at work for years and my own Brother and a mate were going to Patent it behind my back....
Cheers Guys
Scott.
Awesome idea, hope it all goes well for you guys!!!
I see benefits for both internal and external drainage systems, although in my experience I feel external slightly oversized to the enclosure base is a definate 100% water catcher, whereas with an internal fitting sub-floor, water (unless super snuggly fitted) will most always make it's way out of the enclosure when spray hits plants that are touching the sides of the enclosure, it may not be much, but if your designing a new product all input can help solve all of the niggling issues!
As dodolah said, plant "raisers" incorporated into the tray only limit the end user to their individual design and setout of their new enclosure. MORE importantly from a manufacturing and then sale viewpoint, it would cause more hassles to have these added to your design and obviously cost more to produce with the extra bits. IMO
Are you going to go all the way and have a catchement vessel to go with the tray for the enclosures?
This then solves all of the drainage issues..
Again, good luck guys, make sure you get the Patent before someone else does...beleive me I have Invented and Patented 2 x tools for the Electrical Trade, one of them I was using at work for years and my own Brother and a mate were going to Patent it behind my back....
Cheers Guys
Scott.
summoner12
Avid Member
I like the idea of an external pan. I was going to try and make something like Dave Weldon... but when he told me it was close to $100 in plastic I went with a $3.50 shower curtain from Target.
I am not sure what the complaints are about the PVC bottom that comes with the screen cages. I never have crickets hiding under it. My plants are heavy and do cause the plastic to droop in the middle, but I drilled a couple of holes so the water can drain out. I hate giving crickets places to hide so an external tray would be great. Maybe you can make a tray like Dave Weldon's but with a little riser in the middle to support the plants weight and stop the plastic bottom of the cage from drooping too much? The tray doesn't need to be very deep either. A drainage fitting would be great too.
There is one concern I have with my new cages. I don't like how water dripping down to the bottom splatters out of the cages sides.
I am not sure what the complaints are about the PVC bottom that comes with the screen cages. I never have crickets hiding under it. My plants are heavy and do cause the plastic to droop in the middle, but I drilled a couple of holes so the water can drain out. I hate giving crickets places to hide so an external tray would be great. Maybe you can make a tray like Dave Weldon's but with a little riser in the middle to support the plants weight and stop the plastic bottom of the cage from drooping too much? The tray doesn't need to be very deep either. A drainage fitting would be great too.
There is one concern I have with my new cages. I don't like how water dripping down to the bottom splatters out of the cages sides.
Will Hayward
New Member
If someone has a creen bottom they have bigger issues than draining. They are the worst for keeping clean. Just utter mayhem. Worst design idea Ive had when I was building cages.
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy,
The sheet acrylic cost somewhere around $10-$20 per pan. I turned down $100 from several people who wanted me to make some for them because every time I made one for myself I swore I'd never make one again because of the hassle of making them. When a hobby starts to feel like work, watch out
. I made 5-6 for my own use.The Target plastic bathtub screen or even plastic carpet runner does work fairly well. That's what I installed at the local reptile store for their 6 chameleon enclosure setup. I eventually upgraded them from a big Hudson pump-up semi-automated mist system to a herpmist.com pump.
The local reptile store a year or so ago (pre-herpmist pump):
LaserGecko
New Member
Drip Tray Status 1/12/08
That's a great looking display, Dave! It probably looks even better now.
We met with the plastic guy on Friday and are just awaiting word on the final damages. We (well, you all actually) have decided to go with external pans that will fit 16", 18", and 24" square bottom cages, 2" deep with a molded recess for a bulkhead in the center and on the sides.
The 24" unit may be disproportionately higher in cost than the other two (a bigger "jump" between them) because we will be able to get far fewer of them out of a sheet of material. There are all kinds of material allowances that you have to make when laying out this stuff. All I can say is that I'm glad we didn't try to do this ourselves.
Right now, no info on the costs involved, but we will keep you posted as soon as we know something.
That's a great looking display, Dave! It probably looks even better now.
We met with the plastic guy on Friday and are just awaiting word on the final damages. We (well, you all actually) have decided to go with external pans that will fit 16", 18", and 24" square bottom cages, 2" deep with a molded recess for a bulkhead in the center and on the sides.
The 24" unit may be disproportionately higher in cost than the other two (a bigger "jump" between them) because we will be able to get far fewer of them out of a sheet of material. There are all kinds of material allowances that you have to make when laying out this stuff. All I can say is that I'm glad we didn't try to do this ourselves.
Right now, no info on the costs involved, but we will keep you posted as soon as we know something.
summoner12
Avid Member
Howdy,
The sheet acrylic cost somewhere around $10-$20 per pan. I turned down $100 from several people who wanted me to make some for them because every time I made one for myself I swore I'd never make one again because of the hassle of making them. When a hobby starts to feel like work, watch out
I am sorry, I must have misread the PM I got from you! I am sorry!
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy,
No problem
. I just didn't want to get clobbered by someone who thought I was spending $600 on materials for a half-dozen drain pans . My wife might read this post someday .
Scotty
New Member
I agree with Will, I had an enclosure with a screen bottom, it stunk from debris and poop getting stuck as there is no perfect way to clean all the scuzz off it.
PVC or similar bottom is the go, just wipe it clean with discenfectant, no probs at all.
Cheers
Scott.
dodolah
Retired Moderator
That's a great looking display, Dave! It probably looks even better now.
We met with the plastic guy on Friday and are just awaiting word on the final damages. We (well, you all actually) have decided to go with external pans that will fit 16", 18", and 24" square bottom cages, 2" deep with a molded recess for a bulkhead in the center and on the sides.
The 24" unit may be disproportionately higher in cost than the other two (a bigger "jump" between them) because we will be able to get far fewer of them out of a sheet of material. There are all kinds of material allowances that you have to make when laying out this stuff. All I can say is that I'm glad we didn't try to do this ourselves.
Right now, no info on the costs involved, but we will keep you posted as soon as we know something.
awww... i was so excited about the possibility of making it fit for custom cages
I have 28" X 18" (o well ...
)
Vegas Chad
Avid Member
Anything can be done for a price...
LaserGecko
New Member
awww... i was so excited about the possibility of making it fit for custom cages
I have 28" X 18" (o well ...
Actually, he did mention "glue ups" and plastic welding as an option to produce custom sizes. Obviously, the cheapest way to mass produce will be vacuforming, but I will see how much one that size would cost. I mentioned the Screen Cage Adapters to him, too. He thought I was paying a bit too much for them.
I like the way this guy thinks!
dodolah
Retired Moderator
all right!
if you are able to fix my drainage problem, i'm your loyal customer
Let me know once you figure out the cost.
lol.. i already have my herp mist hahaha..
BTW, thanks for the help. I went to mr. Weldon's house and he helped me with attaching the hydor.
Scotty
New Member
all right!
if you are able to fix my drainage problem, i'm your loyal customer
Dodolah, what exactly is your drainage problem as a matter of interest?
Cheers mate..
Scott.
dodolah
Retired Moderator
a leak in between of the aluminum lining cause water drip to my towel.
and wet towel in contact with my wall create a perfect haven for mold to grow.
and that mold in turn will be hazardous for my health.
I fixed the problem. Scrub the wall with strong bleach.
So far i no longer have mold growing.
but, to prevent this problem, it requires me to suck the water with a turkey baster every evening.
and throw away the water basin everyday.
doy! it gets freakishly annoying after a while.
I am so close to automate my enclosure.. with the perfect drainage, now I just need an auto feeder that can safely dust 6 to 7 crix and dump them to the cage automatically heehee
hmmm... this give me an idea..
and wet towel in contact with my wall create a perfect haven for mold to grow.
and that mold in turn will be hazardous for my health.
I fixed the problem. Scrub the wall with strong bleach.
So far i no longer have mold growing.
but, to prevent this problem, it requires me to suck the water with a turkey baster every evening.
and throw away the water basin everyday.
doy! it gets freakishly annoying after a while.
I am so close to automate my enclosure.. with the perfect drainage, now I just need an auto feeder that can safely dust 6 to 7 crix and dump them to the cage automatically heehee
hmmm... this give me an idea..
Scotty
New Member
I am so close to automate my enclosure.. with the perfect drainage, now I just need an auto feeder that can safely dust 6 to 7 crix and dump them to the cage automatically heehee
hmmm... this give me an idea..
LOL... now that would be good.
Remember my thread on my new enclosure?
Check out my setup, not being egotistical, but I am stoked with the way it preforms, My drainage problems have been solved, the only part I would like to change, is having to empty the vessel catching the water. I too have my cham in my bedroom, so hooking it up to a drain is impossible....Oh well1
Cheers
Scott.
LaserGecko
New Member
(sorta) Update: The molds should be done on Friday and we should have some costs by then, too...possibly even the first couple of units.
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