Hmmm highways.....

[NICK GILCHRIST]

Whilst awaiting the next stage of my Mellers unit build...ie awaiting another delivery of lighting/heating/mesh/acrylic sheet/ etc etc..my mind set to thinking about what to use for"branches"...mainly to form a variety of highways across the full 9ft length, but also on varying levels and of different diameters etc...and having obviously seen all the usual methods..and also having considered the use of "hosepipe or similar..i read an interesting article on another forum about an iguana owner who had made his own "branch" by heating white 2" pvc plumbing pipe with a heatgun. this allowed it to be shaped, curved etc to a good degree...he had gone to a lot more trouble by then painting it and glueing all manner of bits to it..etc..however......i thought the original concept was good...and so..im going to try an experiment...by using varying lengths of 2" and 1" pipe , im going to use a heatgun to bend and create interesting shapes/curves etc in varying lengths.....then wrap the finished "branch" in dark green horse bandage to allow a good grip surface..if it works..and i can create the right kind of curves and variation in shape. it may well be ideal as the main sturdy highway routes. with additional branches (au natural) added as well..
I will keep you posted!!

 

[gpmo]

That sounds like an awesome idea! I have noticed that the horse/dog bandage (vetwrap) gets very sticky though when it gets wet so may want to use something else to coat your highways if they are going to be near misting areas. It gets pretty nasty!

gpmo (her)

 

[NICK GILCHRIST]

That sounds like an awesome idea! I have noticed that the horse/dog bandage (vetwrap) gets very sticky though when it gets wet so may want to use something else to coat your highways if they are going to be near misting areas. It gets pretty nasty!

gpmo (her)

Thanks for that heads up....right now to find a suitable grippy waterproof alternative ...i wonder if a spray waterproofing treatment as used on outdoor wear might resolve that issue..

 

[boj3434]

Sounds like a great idea let me know how it works out

 

[nick barta]

Kevin used the black soaker hoses you get at hardware stores, it looked good, was rough for grip, and cheap.
he has pictures on a thread on his Mellers free range.

Nick

 

[NICK GILCHRIST]

Kevin used the black soaker hoses you get at hardware stores, it looked good, was rough for grip, and cheap.
he has pictures on a thread on his Mellers free range.

Nick

Hi Nick..yes Kevin posted me on that on another thread . when i was considering using hose of some form..however, the reason im considering thiis as a possible option is that the piping is available in varying diameter offering a good option for variable diameter branching...if it works of course!! it may not! in which case..it will be hose or similar..im just experimenting at the moment..or "brainstorming"

 

[GoFast]

for grip, maybe you could try some of that epoxy coat with some sand mixed in. Obviously you want to make sure you sand the pvc down first.

Just a thought

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I will be interested to see the results of this project.
I would just go outside and saw off a big tree branch and be done, but this sounds interesting.
Please post pictures when you get it completed.

I lucked out the other day driving through my neighborhood ... tree trimmers busy at work were more than happy to let me shove as many branches as I could into the back of my jeep.

-Brad

 

[nick barta]

We have an invasive ivy species that grows like Pathos in Hawaii, with "branches" up to 2 inches. I cut various thicknesses and then wrap them around each other. The common name is English Ivy, perhaps you have some in your country??

And no, it is not on the "SAFE LIST," and no, I am not growing it with leaves for Chams to eat.

Nick

 

[NICK GILCHRIST]

I will be interested to see the results of this project.
I would just go outside and saw off a big tree branch and be done, but this sounds interesting.
Please post pictures when you get it completed.

I lucked out the other day driving through my neighborhood ... tree trimmers busy at work were more than happy to let me shove as many branches as I could into the back of my jeep.

-Brad

Will do Brad..i mean..in all honesty. of course any natural tree branch is going to be better in reality than anything us mere mortals can come up with on an aesthetic basis (jeez..swallowed a dictionary) but i figure that maybe..just maybe..if this works...and looks good as well as being acceptable to my chams- just as my ex wife said " its certainly going to be another alternative!"as she went out the back door with the Milkman