Just got the NICs….

[Cake]

So I just got back from Target with 3 boxes of the chrome NICubes. I know I have seen this question but I can’t find it now…sorry!

 

Did you all use the round connectors with the zip ties or just the zip ties? I plan to make a base with plywood and castors. Then cover the plywood with lino. Also, wood rods to support shelves.

Any other advice when building would be great

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I use the connectors-just helps keep it sturdy while your building it-and stretches your cubes out as well -make sure to use lots of zip ties!

[flippersmom]

Hey cake – I would love to see some pics when you finish!!! I have my cubes, but am being very indecisive about how I’m going to put everything together!!!! Too many things to think about!!

[skibunny8503]

We used the connectors and zip ties to be extra safe in case a connector disconnects…espeically with a second floor. 

Have fun building it and post pics!

[TARM]

I don’t use the connectors. Happy building! Make sure you post pictures!

[Cake]

Thanks all!

I will make sure and post pictures. It may take me a week or two. I’m trying to plan it all out…and for some reason I just keep putting it off. I know if I start putting it together and it isn’t right I just have to cut the ties…but ugh! I’m almost scared to start. LOL

Oh also, I found these things at target that I may go back and get. They are from a newer line called Itso. They make these square shelves for the cubes they have and wouldn’t you know they are the perfect size for each NIcube. They are a sturdy plastic and come in a few colors. I think they may hold up better than coroplast? I think if I could secure them well they will hold up to many cleanings.

[skibunny8503]

Hehe I’ve had my share of cutting zip ties, especially when we build the condo and then decide to do it a different way a few days later   I recommend building everything with the connectors and then once you’re done and satisifed, secure it with zip ties.

[Cake]

It’s going well so far. I have it put together how I want it for now. I may add another level in the future. Things went together pretty easy. I just need to finish with the zip ties. Also, a helpful hint….make sure to put the zip ties on each inside level before you build up. I had to crawl inside the condo on my back trying to secure the first level. LOL

Now on to the base and deciding what I want to put on the levels. So far so good!

[flippersmom]

*sighs* patiently waiting for pictures!!!

Glad it’s going well for you! I so hear you on the putting it off!! I just keep making sketches and measuring the air and walls and old cages and whatever else I can find trying to decied if it would be too big or too little or too tall or…. well you get the picture!!!! Then I start thinking about flooring – yikes!!!! My poor hubby has had about 14 differnt lists of additional supplies he should pick-up while getting building supplies for work!! He keeps threatning to just take one, buy the stuff and force me to make the cages (yes, I have 2 to make!!) work with what he got!!!! Probably not a bad idea!!!!!

[Cake]

Ok got all the other supplies today…however, I have a question

Is sign board the same as foam board? I went to lowes and menards and hobby lobby and all looked at me like I was nuts. *sigh* So the closest thing I found was foam board and I thought, is this it. Does it just have another name?

Someone help me out. Where did you find your choroplast/sign board…and where was it located in the store? LOL

[jerseygirl]

Choroplast/signboard is like corrogated cardboard but plastic, with a smooth top and bottom layer.  Not sure where you get it. Try a sign shop maybe, ask to look at their off cuts?  Else do the vinyl and plywood like you mentioned earlier.

 

[Cake]

Ta-Da!

[Cake]

The two middle/bottom cubes open and so does the top shelf second from the right. I also made an exercise pen with extra cubes. Indy is having a blast checking it all out.

I zip tied the heck out of it also put in wood support, this thing is solid as a rock.

[flippersmom]

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I like!!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures!! I’m thinking mine will be 4 wide by 2 or 3 deep by 4 tall, so this helps me put iit in perspective (I sooo geometrically challenged!!!). I like the idea of “steps” instead of ramps too!!!!!

Little Indy in the corner – “I’s just got me a mansion!!!!”

[flippersmom]

**still studiying picture** What did you cover the different levels with? Top looks like maybe a piece of fleece??

[Cake]

The top is an old baby fleece blanket, the rest have gray t-shirt like material and then the purple on top of some of it was some scrap fleece.
I plan on adding another level in the future…that way it can be something new and exciting. LOL

My only problem now is that he won’t come down off the top level. I put his food and water up there as I wan’t sure he would come down for it. I have the exercise pen attached to it, but he won’t come down and run around yet either. Hopefully he is just enjoying himself and will later.

Oh I also placed the whole thing by a window now and he is loving the sun coming in.

[RabbitPam]

Holy guacamole, that is fantastic!
I’ve noticed that no one uses ramps, though my store-bought cage came with them. Your bunny is comfortable with the height difference between each layer? It looks like fun, too.

[Cake]

Thank you!

I didn’t make ramps as there was one in his old cage which he didn’t use. So I put in two single squares half way up for each level. He can get up super easy, however, he seems to pause coming down. I’m now wondering if he would feel better with the ramps to help him come down?

That will have to wait until next weekend I’m afraid.

[skibunny8503]

The condo looks great!  We have 2 ramps in our condo.  We did have our condo with a bunch of places to hop up but they never would go up all the way.  Gracie loves running up the ramps since she’s kind of sluggish at hopping up places.  Archie will use the ramps and also hop up to the second floor from the openings will placed.  Yeah you gotta watch and see how they like the condo and if they’ll hop up or not….if not then you have to add on ramps; or redo it in our case

[Cake]

I think I spoke too soon. I brought him out in the ex-pen part today and then he realized he could go back in whenever he wanted. I swear I saw a little lightbulb above his head!

He is very busy hopping all around, in and out, up and down. No time to stop in eat. LOL

[flippersmom]

Just wanted to say “Thanks Cake” – after seeing your cage, I finally got motivated to get started!!!!! Got the outside together and will finish it off this weekend (need hubby to help!!!). Even the buns got involved – well, ok, they played in the empty boxes & tossed around the connectors, but one did keep bringing me the instruction sheet from the box!!!!!!!

[Cake]

LOL! That’s awesome….can’t wait to see it!

[Ruffles&Daisy]

I must say that I’m partial to x pens, but your condo looks great. What did you use for the levels? And does the top open for cleaning? I can’t figure out how you would clean the top and middle levels? Great job though, it looks like a bunny paradise, although your bun looks lonely, he needs a friend to share his home with!

[Cake]

Don’t tempt me yet with the friend. I do plan on getting another one (I’m going the shelter route this time) but I wanted to more or less understand bunnies first. (this is my first one)

The bottom and middle level I can get to easy. As you can see from this picture the 2 bottom and middle cubes open up.

Then the top has just one cube that opens but you could make it two, I find I don’t need it though.

[Ruffles&Daisy]

uber cool! good job.

[Miyuki]

Can’t wait to see your new NIC condo! How many cube panels will be in your condo? Just curious about how many goes into building one. I’m going to go and count how many Cake used .

[Cake]

Well let’s see, I used 3 boxes and had enough left over to make a run. (11) and so I think that makes it (58) for the condo. (with ceiling, no bottom) (the boxes came in sets of 23) Oh and the boxes were $16.99 each at Target

I will go back and get some more soon as I will add a third layer at some point, but not now

[Cake]

Sorry forgot to add that the levels are made out of coroplast covered in t-shirt type material. There is also some fleece in there. I used some binder clips I got from Staples to hold the squares on to the cube and also put a rod under each shelf.

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