What do you think of this cage I just built?

[visiontoreality]

It is 3 rubbermaid bins. The one ontop of the other is secured currently with audio wire that has been threaded through 9 holes around the lips of the tubs, tightly.

The one on its side is "sewn together" as well, to the one it is touching.

The window is 2 sheets of plastic sheet (1mm thick). One sheet is taped from the outer side, and one is taped from the inner side. It is extremely hard to rip these sheets, I tried with my pinky finger. They just stretch to the max and require a lot of effort to break (surprisingly). I did two layers for added strength, and also, it creates a layer of air in the window for some added window insulation.

The tape is guerilla duct tape. I wanted ideally to use silicone but I have done tape for now to see how it holds up.

The tupperware on its side has a cover that came with the bins, and it is locked on by the plastic handles. I plan on getting fasteners to secure it further.

The topmost bin has 5 holes, and the bin on its side has 5 holes in the cover. The holes are only about 3/4" in diameter so I may make a few more. I hope this will allow for airflow, seeing as the warm air will rise to the top and pull in fresh air from the bottom.

The room this is in is usually 75, and I have put the side of the cage close to the baseboard for additional heat. It is 75F in there as of now with no heating elements, so I may add additional heating in the daytime to get it up to 80F.

I plan on adding humidity maybe once a day with a few seconds of an ultrasonic humidifier, if needed.

For now the room will be closed incase he escapes, but I am 99% sure he will not escape. I'm sure a lot of people would say otherwise, but we will see.

I hope for the top portion to eventually have some platforms and climbing things, but I have yet to do that part yet.

I would like to make another window in the top bin, eventually, as well. I would also like to make it so I can take the top bin off easily, rather than dealing with "sewing" it with wire, although that will do for now.

His name is Cool Dude, I've had him since I was 5, and he's 17 years old right now. I know this cage isn't the prettiest thing to look at, but what matters is he now has a bigger space to live in. I have grown more and more dissapointed at the fact that I cannot give him a great huge climate controlled closet. I personally believe that is the very least a pet owner should do for their animal. I do not enjoy the idea of enclosing animals in tiny spaces, it feels cruel to me, but I'm doing the best I can at the moment with the limited $$ that I have!



http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/P1010005.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...P1010002-1.jpg

[jdmls88]

you have the right mindset just you could have done with just one. Remeber ball pythons like tight places where they can curl up and feel safe. that much room they can get stressed out real easily

[visiontoreality]

you have the right mindset just you could have done with just one. Remeber ball pythons like tight places where they can curl up and feel safe. that much room they can get stressed out real easily

Yeah, I know, I was thinking of stacking all 3 on top of eachother at first but knew that wouldn't be worth it.

I just want him to have space to crawl around when it is night time.

For now I have a hide box in there if he wants, but I plan on spiffing it up on the inside. Adding vines, rocks, more natural things, more hiding spots, platforms on the top bin, hiding boxes on the top bin (don't ask me how i plan on doing that yet haha) etc. Right now I just don't have access to those things.

[jdmls88]

here if you want a cage for him a 40 gallon aquarium is cheap enough with a heat pad
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

[visiontoreality]

here if you want a cage for him a 40 gallon aquarium is cheap enough with a heat pad
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

I chose this setup because it was cheap, at 12 bucks per tub, and also allowed a lot of room, which I believe in. But thank you though, that's an informative thread.

[Patrick Long]

i think its actually quite cool!

[visiontoreality]

i think its actually quite cool!

Nice! I was afraid I'd get shot down multiple times for such a rudimentary setup, when I came to this forum =)...Not to say that that won't happen..hehe..I just need to work on the heat situation. 75F is pretty chilly for these guys.

[littleindiangirl]

You may want to think about a different way to secure the tubs without the duct tape. Tape inside of an enclosure is just asking for a vet trip. He can very easily get caught on the tape and get hurt by either removing it or him balling up around it. Not fun.

[visiontoreality]

You may want to think about a different way to secure the tubs without the duct tape. Tape inside of an enclosure is just asking for a vet trip. He can very easily get caught on the tape and get hurt by either removing it or him balling up around it. Not fun.

Yeah, I plan on checking the tape frequently to make sure it doesn't peel back off or something. That's why I wanted to do silicone, but o well. It's "guerrilla tape" which is beefed up duct tape, I'm hoping it won't let me down

[Argentra]

That type of tape is asking for double trouble..trust me. ANY kind of tape can eventually work loose. When you add the humidity levels that BPs need, you up that chance and shorten the time. As soon as even a tiny corner lifts, your snake will find it and then, because the tape is industrial strength, you'll really have a problem.

If you wish to keep that setup going, I highly recommend taking off the plastic sheets and all the tape and putting in a thin plexiglass window with silicone.