Couple questions on DIY cage

ok, so my plan is building cages with these dimensions, 48Lx20Wx14H, would this be sufficient for an adult female ball python?

For heating, im thinking of using a UTH, but it being inside the cage, with a piece maybe 1/2" plexiglas over the UTH, or maybe it sandiched between two pieces. Do you think this would work, and be sufficient protection to keep my bp from burning herself?

I plan on using furniture grade 3/4" plywood for building the box.

ive never built anything like this before, so, any helpful suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Plenty big

I had plexi with flexwatt underneath with rubber feet from Lowes inside one of my diy cages hooked up to a thermostat of course.

That thick of wood will make your cage very heavy, like mine was and it was only 32". Remember that it should be able to handle humidity and any spills that might happen.


Btw, have you priced out the cost to build (unless you have the stuff sitting around already)? There are a few shows where you can get plastic or wooden cages in PA for 100 and up, $150-200 for a 4ft is typical.
Having a sense of accomplishment is great only if its cost efficient :)

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Originally Posted by rperry03

Plenty big

I had plexi with flexwatt underneath with rubber feet from Lowes inside one of my diy cages hooked up to a thermostat of course.
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the was that completely underneath the cage? or sitting in the bottom of the cage covered with plexi? what were the rubber feet for?

Should i go with something thinner, like 1/2", to keep the weight down?

my plan is to make it where i can build others to stack on top of it..

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would this be sufficient for an adult female ball python?

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More than enough 38 x 18 floor space is what is generally provided as far as cage go.

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For heating, im thinking of using a UTH, but it being inside the cage, with a piece maybe 1/2" plexiglas over the UTH, or maybe it sandiched between two pieces. Do you think this would work, and be sufficient protection to keep my bp from burning herself?

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The only way to prevent burn and or over heating is by controlling your heat source with a thermostat.

Any heat source can overheat causing burns and more.

I plan on using furniture grade 3/4" plywood for building the box.

ive never built anything like this before, so, any helpful suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Best advice: This should help http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/3x2.shtml

Deborah,

Thanks for the link, Thats pretty much what im wanting. Very much appreciated !!

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Originally Posted by oppie2005

the was that completely underneath the cage? or sitting in the bottom of the cage covered with plexi? what were the rubber feet for?

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Even though you don't have to, I used the rubber feet for airflow and just in case any liquid were to find its way to the bottom.

I cut the plexi just longer than the uth and then taped the uth to the plexi with the thermostat probe.

so, Lowes didnt have the melamine so i just had a piece of plywood cut for the bottom too. I also went with maple plywood instead of oak. gonna start sanding and staining and sealing tonight. Wish me luck with this!