Bamboo Poles - Attaching to enclosure!! (PICS)

[Dyesub Dave]

OK ... here's my attempt to explain to you a way I figured out to attach bamboo poles inside your enclosure. This way the bamboo poles are (re)movable for cleaning and/or repositioning.

Here's a pic of what it will look like when finished!! This is my Gold Dust Day Gecko enclosure.

Now ... the first step is to cut your pole to the width of your enclosure. It's important that if you're going straight across that you be precise and you will need to subtract 1/2" (1/4" each end) from your measurement to allow for the washer and magnets. (Pic below)

You will obviously need to find a washer size that roughly fits the width of your bamboo pole. I acquired the magnets from work so I'm not sure where you can buy something similar but just make sure that they're strong ones. The next step is to silicone the washer with the magnets stuck to it to each end of the bamboo pole. I use silicone around the rim of the bamboo pole as well as up the sides and a thin layer over the magnets to hopefully make everything waterproof. ( BTW - I used aquarium silicone.)

Now the hardest part ... you need to wait 24 hrs. for the silicone to dry!! :roll: You will now need two more washers with magnets on them but these don't need to be siliconed. Simply place the bamboo pole in the enclosure with one hand while attaching the other washer/magnet combos to the outside of the glass where the pole sits and VOILA ... a bamboo basking spot.

Here's a pic of one I did for my crested gecko enclosure!! ( Yes ... I know ... the duct tape is BEAUTIFUL. :rofl: It works better than packing tape though. In hindsight I should have waited and bought black duct tape but nothing I can't fix down the road!!)

Now I've noticed that when you make the cuts on an angle you have a bit more margin for error on the length of the pole. Of course another thing to consider is that my angled piece was going in a screen enclosure which is also more pliable than glass. The magnets on the pole somewhat stick to the metal screening and I've found that only a washer is needed to secure the pole ... no need for the extra magnets.

I've also been thinking of cutting some small bamboo tubes and putting a strip of magnets on one side and attaching it horizontally to the wall of the enclosures so that the geckos have a tube to hide / lay eggs in (for gluers). So let me know what you think of my invention!! ;-) I actually got the idea from the magnetic food dishes and shelves that are sold for reptile enclosures.

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

 

[PassPort]

brilliant! Thanks Dave, I'll be making some of these very soon.

 

[Dyesub Dave]

I was told that I should patent this before Exo-Terra gets wind of it. LOLOL I suppose I could make them in my spare time for extra $$$ ... but the question is would anybody really buy them? ;-)

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

 

[PassPort]

I'm sure people would buy them, but more importantly you came up with it and some big guys shouldn't make money off of your design!

While a lot of guys like us will just make our own, most people don't even know where to get bamboo or even have a way to cut it, so they'll buy a premade one rather than fuss with making their own. I say make a few different sizes and put them on the forum for sale. I bet they'd do well at herp shows!

 

[Dyesub Dave]

I'm sure people would buy them, but more importantly you came up with it and some big guys shouldn't make money off of your design!

While a lot of guys like us will just make our own, most people don't even know where to get bamboo or even have a way to cut it, so they'll buy a premade one rather than fuss with making their own. I say make a few different sizes and put them on the forum for sale. I bet they'd do well at herp shows!

That's true ... I should try selling a few at the next Reptile Expo in Toronto!! And I was thinking that if I could find stronger magnets I would only need washers on the end of the poles and magnets on the outside of the glass. I tried that first but these magnets weren't strong enough!

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

 

[cliff_f]

I'm sure people would buy them, but more importantly you came up with it and some big guys shouldn't make money off of your design!

While a lot of guys like us will just make our own, most people don't even know where to get bamboo or even have a way to cut it, so they'll buy a premade one rather than fuss with making their own. I say make a few different sizes and put them on the forum for sale. I bet they'd do well at herp shows!

That right there is very true. There is so many people out there that would rather buy it rather than make their own. i think that it could do good at herp shows especially if you have a bunch premade to alot of the common enclosures out there.

 

[frogsnbugs]

Hey I'd BUY some!!! Get Busy and Patent it! You would do REAL well! Best of Luck.

 

[RFB2]

Great post dave:idea: Dave look up rare earth magnets in the net. There are several types made that will suit your needs.

 

[Dyesub Dave]

Great post dave:idea: Dave look up rare earth magnets in the net. There are several types made that will suit your needs.

That's funny ... I just got finished doing that a couple hours ago. I already have a site to order some from and I'm going to try some different types to see what works best. Thanks for the heads up though.

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

 

[BlakeDeffenbaugh]

If you patent it you can sell it to Exo or someone for big money too hahahaha. I never thought of that I just hot glued my bamboo in then its kind of a pain to rip it out and move it.

 

[Dyesub Dave]

Well ... I was looking at magnets on the net and came across this unique substance. I learned something and had a laugh at the same time! Check it out.

These disc magnets are coated with PTFE (aka Teflon). The color of the coating is white, not black or gray as most of us are accustomed to seeing in non-stick cookware. PTFE is very non-reactive and water does not adhere to it so it is often used in laboratory mixing applications. It has a very low coefficient of friction. An interesting fact from wikipedia about PTFE: "PTFE's resistance to van der Waals forces means that it is the only known surface to which a gecko cannot stick", so if those pesky geckos are always swiping your magnets, this is the solution you've been looking for!

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

 

[springtech]

Well ... I was looking at magnets on the net and came across this unique substance. I learned something and had a laugh at the same time! Check it out.

These disc magnets are coated with PTFE (aka Teflon). The color of the coating is white, not black or gray as most of us are accustomed to seeing in non-stick cookware. PTFE is very non-reactive and water does not adhere to it so it is often used in laboratory mixing applications. It has a very low coefficient of friction. An interesting fact from wikipedia about PTFE: "PTFE's resistance to van der Waals forces means that it is the only known surface to which a gecko cannot stick", so if those pesky geckos are always swiping your magnets, this is the solution you've been looking for!

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

That is some ironic comedy right there lol... even funnier than "I acquired the magnets from work" lol... acquied... you thief!

 

[Dyesub Dave]

Hey ... not my fault they didn't use PTFE!! :crackup: And after doing a job using small magnets for almost 10 years I'm bound to have a few kickin' around. Just enough for a couple of prototypes!! ;-)

Dyesub Dave. :biggrin:

 

[springtech]

LOL, I like your style... and great job on the prototypes... I would buy one from a petstore/expo.

 

[AWW]

Awesome idea with the magnets. You should definitely patent!

 

[kruler]

Nice solution Dave. I've tried various ways to secure horizontal bamboo in my phelsuma enclosures over the years. I used to take a piece of 1x4 pine, drill a hole the diameter of the bamboo in it and then cut it in half so I was left with 2 pieces that look like the letter 'C'. I then siliconed them to the inside walls and they would just cradle each end of the bamboo. Worked perfect.

I now have found an easier, cheaper and more attractive solution. I simply cut the bamboo to length and use some coconut husk on each end as shims to get it nice and tight. I use the coconut husk stuff that they line hanging baskets and planters with that is available at most garden centers. It works amazing and has a nice natural look.

I've always thought that one of the big guys (exo terra, zoo med, etc.) would come up with a bamboo pole which was spring loaded and length adjustable like a shower curtain rod.

 

[T-ReXx]

Great idea! I like the simplicity. The best inventions are often simple but effective, duct tape, for example. I could definately see a major reptile supply company being interested in this kind of invention.

 

[3reptiles]

This is a bamboo question ... but not how to attach it.

What can I plug the ends with??? I have a pc laying from corner to corner right now and thought that really good packing tape would be suffice! My little turkey has decide to pick at the tape and pull at it. I don't want him to eat it!! I have caught him picking at the screws that are on the inside of the cage too! Yes, he's a good eater! I think he's just gone MAD!! Or does it need a chew toy ?? :biggrin:

It's the Gehyra Marginata btw.

Thanks for any ideas !