My First Custom Cage

So today I was bored and didn't want to do my homework, so I decided to build a snake enclosure.

It's primarily built out of 3/4" plywood and is designed to have the enclosure on top and then a storage draw beneath it.

3 Vents were made using pegboard and then trimmed out with pine and then bead board. I know pine isn't good for snakes, but both the inside and outside of the tank will be painted/stained and then sealed with multiple coats of a clear water based sealer.

The floor of the enclosure is going to be tile glued into place, with one left lose and the UTH will be underneath that tile. On top of the tile will be 2-3" of aspen bedding.

The front of the enclosure will have two separate doors made of wood and 3/8" perspex so that they open outwards like a set of double doors.

I intend to test this enclosure for a couple weeks before I move our snake into it to make sure that humidity and temperatures are all correct. I also intend to give it 2, maybe even 3 weeks to allow all the paint to properly dry and air out before I test it.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4250076.jpg
The basic structure. Overall the snake will have 28"x15" of floor space and another 15" of upward space. This will obviously be reduced once all the "furniture" has been added. The draw space beneath has been designed so that a bag of aspen shavings will fit with ample room.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4250074.jpg
This is the back panel for the cage. It is made from 5/16" Bead Board with a 20" x 6.5" piece of peg board added for ventilation. The seams were then trimmed out.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4250078.jpg
Yours truly taking a jigsaw to the side panel to create another ventilation hole.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4250080.jpg
One of the side ventilation holes completed. Again, the edges were trimmed out to cover the seams.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4250083.jpg
Those unsightly staple heads filled over, once painted they will be invisible.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4250082.jpg
The entirety of today's work. I have filled any gaps (nail holes, wood seams etc) with wood filler.

Does anyone think I should make alterations to add lighting to the enclosure? It seems a little dark, but I know BP's like that so I'm not too sure, especially because this tank may also eventually house a kingsnake.

You won't totally know if you will need a light to keep your ambient air temperatures up until it is up and running, some people need them, others don't. If you just want to add a red light for viewing purposes, that is perfectly fine because red lights don't bother them.

Nice job by the way!

Thanks. I figure if any extra heat is needed, I'll still have the heat lamp from the current tank that I can set up to send heat through one of the side ventilation holes.

That would be an option, just make sure it doesn't get too close to set fire.

Very cool :D Can't wait to see it complete.

Thanks. It'll be a whiles till completetion -_-
Today I started the laborius job of filling every tiny little crack and crevice. Darn the perfectionist within me.

Good job, It looks great, Looks like it will hold good temps, great idea:)

Only two pictures for today :( My arm feels like its about to drop off.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4260084.jpg
Top of the cage. I've filled and sanded this surface about 7 times today, but I am finally satisfied.

I thinned out my filler with water and then applied it like a skin coat, using a brush to get into all the little gaps.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4260086.jpg
The result of today. Top and one outside finished, inside base and insides filled ready to be sanded tomorrow.

Yes I do have an electric sander, and I had intended to use it. For some reason, it feels like I've accomplished a lot more with sanding by hand lol

Very nice! Will the doors have plexi?

Yep, I was thinkin 3/8s but I might go to thinner stuff because Im doing two doors that'll need considerably less plexi than the one I had originally planned

Still looking good!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

Yep, I was thinkin 3/8s but I might go to thinner stuff because Im doing two doors that'll need considerably less plexi than the one I had originally planned

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Nice, I'm not sure if you have ever cut plexi before, but they make special blades to cut plexi... I used a fine tooth blade and just did the cut reallllllly slow and it worked fine.. if they plexi has the paper still on it leave it on during the cuts. I used plexi for my Gecko's 20L and it works nice, the plexi gives a great look and viewing area. well have fun building


Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeke

Nice, I'm not sure if you have ever cut plexi before, but they make special blades to cut plexi... I used a fine tooth blade and just did the cut reallllllly slow and it worked fine.. if they plexi has the paper still on it leave it on during the cuts. I used plexi for my Gecko's 20L and it works nice, the plexi gives a great look and viewing area. well have fun building


Cheers

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I was just gonna leave the paper on and then slowly cut it with a fine tooth bi-metal blade on a hack saw. Also, I'm going to fun the framing through the table saw to cut a groove in it to allow the plexi to slide into it, thus hiding the edges and preventing me from having to use any glue.

I'll be sure to take pictures when I'm putting the doors together, I need to go and get some 1x3 wood stock to make them, maybe 1x4.

I finished the filling and the sanding!!!!!!!!!!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270107.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270108.jpg
I did end up cheating and took to using the electric sander to bring most of it to level, and then finished up with finer paper on a sanding block by hand to get a nice smooth finish.

I'm going to be using a UTH as a primary means of heat, and I'm also planning on tiling the floor. To protect the wood from dampness and heat, I placed 1/4" Hardie Backer Cement board on the base and screwed it in.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270109.jpg
Secured using 1/2" screws.

To be extra safe against fire hazards, I was thinking of butchering a space blanket to place under the UTH but then I had a brain wave!!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270110.jpg
Aluminum Foil!! I remembered when baking potato's on the grill how effective foil is at stopping my hands getting burnt, but keeping the heat in to cook the potato's. I attached it shiny side up simply using spray adhesive.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270112.jpg
I then took a 2x4 and ran it through the table saw and ripped it down to half inch think. I think took half inch off each side to square them off and finally cut it to length. It's attached with brad nails.

This now means that my doors and draw front plate are going to be half inch think rather than the inch I originally intended, I think this will work better though.

Some how, when measuring up for the doors we have managed to make both of them exactly the same size (at least on paper). The opening above the substrate barrier is 14 5/8" high and 29 3/8" wide. This makes two 14 5/8" square doors with a 1/16" gap between, it worked out perfectly.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270115.jpg
These are the hinges I intend to use, I need to pick up some more tomorrow on the way home from college.

The doors will be secured using a sliding deadbolt and also a magnetic catch on each of them. I imagine it will be very hard for a ball python of king snake to get through them.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270114.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270113.jpg

So far, my grand total for this cage is $0, 3-ish days and one cut finger :)

Tomorrow I will have to spend a little money :/ lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

I was just gonna leave the paper on and then slowly cut it with a fine tooth bi-metal blade on a hack saw. Also, I'm going to fun the framing through the table saw to cut a groove in it to allow the plexi to slide into it, thus hiding the edges and preventing me from having to use any glue.

I'll be sure to take pictures when I'm putting the doors together, I need to go and get some 1x3 wood stock to make them, maybe 1x4.

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Not too sure a hack saw would be good. it may crack the plexi during the cuttin process. if you have a table saw and a fine toothed blade you will be good. best of luck.


Cheers

I'm gonna do some test pieces first. If all else fails, the good ole' score and snap technique should do the job perfectly

Today I managed to get the doors built and the draw built and installed. I had to call it an early night to get my Accounting homework done for tomorrow lol.

Figured I'd post a couple pictures of Greg, he was helping me as I replied to posts last night my guarding my drink for me :)
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4270116.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4280120.jpg
Started out by cutting and dryfitting all the door components.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4280121.jpg
A finished door, not yet installed though.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4280124.jpg
One built and open draw.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4280125.jpg
One built and open draw using it's runners :)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4280126.jpg
And thats all she wrote. I was hoping to start painting tonight, but the homework calls. Least it's finals week. No more college after next week :)

That is a cute picture of your ball python.

Looking good. I made a few cages out of wood, then I found my number of snakes getting a little large. I guess I got lazy and bought a rack system for the ball pythons.
I like your design. Very furniture grade. That drawer will prove to be very nice to have also.

VERY NICE! door looks great, I see there was no cracking SWEET!... what kind of side mount glides did you use? I have some Accurides I picked up when I was building custom kitchens... Cage is lookin good. Nice lookin BP too, lucky fella.


Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeke

VERY NICE! door looks great, I see there was no cracking SWEET!... what kind of side mount glides did you use? I have some Accurides I picked up when I was building custom kitchens... Cage is lookin good. Nice lookin BP too, lucky fella.


Cheers

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Side Mount Glides? You mean how'd I get the plexi and the wood to meet?

I just ran the cut pieces of wood through the table saw with the blade set to half inch

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

Side Mount Glides? You mean how'd I get the plexi and the wood to meet?

I just ran the cut pieces of wood through the table saw with the blade set to half inch

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side mount glides are what you have on your drawer on the bottom.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeke

side mount glides are what you have on your drawer on the bottom.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeke

side mount glides are what you have on your drawer on the bottom.

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Oh. I don't know what type they are, they were just some short ones I had lying around.

Originally, they sit in a groove in the draw, I just adapted them to my needs. The only downside to them is to take the draw out I have to undo 6 screws.

But anyway, this is what y'all missed last night.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300001.jpg
A spot of primer :)

And this is where I just left it tonight.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300002.jpg
Installing the doors temporarily.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300003.jpg
The right hand door sporting a new lip to ensure there are no gaps between the doors for the snake to take advantage of.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300004.jpg
Both doors temporarily hinged and in place. Truthfully, the doors are a little off square, but this is my first enclosure. On my next one I'll pre-square everything before I'm permanently join it.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300005.jpg
Installed the final layer of hardie. The tile with be glued to this.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300006.jpg
Ventilation holes drilled in to the floor to stop a build up of heat. Do you think I should make them bigger?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

Oh. I don't know what type they are, they were just some short ones I had lying around.

Originally, they sit in a groove in the draw, I just adapted them to my needs. The only downside to them is to take the draw out I have to undo 6 screws.

But anyway, this is what y'all missed last night.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300001.jpg
A spot of primer :)

And this is where I just left it tonight.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300002.jpg
Installing the doors temporarily.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300003.jpg
The right hand door sporting a new lip to ensure there are no gaps between the doors for the snake to take advantage of.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300004.jpg
Both doors temporarily hinged and in place. Truthfully, the doors are a little off square, but this is my first enclosure. On my next one I'll pre-square everything before I'm permanently join it.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300005.jpg
Installed the final layer of hardie. The tile with be glued to this.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P4300006.jpg
Ventilation holes drilled in to the floor to stop a build up of heat. Do you think I should make them bigger?

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Nice, freebies rock! you gotta take all the screws out? on the glides themself is there a little black piece of plastic, kinda like a switch? if so while holdin the draw and pulling a lil flip the plastic up or down depends on the kind and it shuold slide off the other half of the glide.. Cage is lookin great! what are the holes in the floor drilled for?

My slides are like 15 years old, they didn't know what plastic was back then lol.

The holes are for excess heat from the flexwatt to escape and stop a dangerous buildup of heat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

My slides are like 15 years old, they didn't know what plastic was back then lol.

The holes are for excess heat from the flexwatt to escape and stop a dangerous buildup of heat.

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LOL got ya.. are you using ceramic tiles or peal and sticks? I will be making 3 cages maybe 4, and was thinking of using ceramic tiles, but wasnt sure if the heat would get through the tile. Cage is looking good:gj:


Cheers

I'm going to use ceramic tile. Apparently, heat transfers more effieciently than glass according to google. I figure I'll test it and if i dont think its adequate, ill get a 12"x12" piece of glass in place of that one tile over the uth

looks like it is coming together really nicely, make sure you post pictures as soon as you are finished

Painting and Sealing happened today!!!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5010001.jpg
First coat on the exterior. We've gone with a dark brown to match my furniture in my room as best we can.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5010003.jpg
Water Based sealer I'm using. It's going to have until at least Friday to dry and air out of the enclosure.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5010004.jpg
The inside fully painted and 2 coats of sealer. I want to get the inside finished ASAP so i can start working on the floor.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5010005.jpg
Top half of the fountain we brought a month ago for $5. I can see why it was reduced to $5 because after an hour of playing, it still leaked. About 3 weeks ago we built up the sides of the collection bowl and painted it to stop the overflow and now I finally sealed it.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll pull out the tile saw and cut some tile to size :)

SWEET looks killer... ok cool, thats what I was thinking of usein. I have a load of ceramic slate tiles that I scored for FREE.. I love free stuff.. lol

Cheers

@zeke. I love free stuff too! In total I have about spent about $10 in materials for this project. In total, I've spent closer to $60 in materials and tools however as I needed a Soldering Iron and Hot Glue Gun and Accurite thermometer and a couple other things that I didn't have just lying around.

Casa Del Greg. Now featuring file flooring throughout (mostly), Panoramic front doors and windows, Stylish door handles (every snakes most important accessory) and soon enough, an indoor water feature!!!

So we start with the draw handle.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020007.jpg
Nothing too flashy, but it matches the ones currently in my room.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020016.jpg
I had to cheat a little on the other side of the draw face. I could of cut the screws, but I decided two washers and a nut would be sufficient to make the screws the right size.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020008.jpg
Doors installed and closed... yes, they do work lol.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020006.jpg
Dry fitting the luxurious tile floor to test for sizes.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020011.jpg
Installing the floor. Normally I would use a grooved trowel, but I figured Greg wouldn't complain and I was too lazy to go and get one out. Just means I need to leave it till tomorrow to do any other work.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020013.jpg
Tiling finished for the most part. All the tile is stuck in except the last one. This one will be siliconed down atop the UTH so that in the event of it breaking, the tile can be easily removed to access the UTH.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5020015.jpg
Doors shut. Floor Laid. Handles attached.

I probably won't have a proper update again until Wednesday when the UTH is set to arrive in the mail. I think this thing weighs close to 80 pounds now though.

If its free it's for me!! is the color on the cage brown? In the one pic it looks silver, or it could just be my eyes messing with me. lookin good, you grouting too?

Outside brown, inside green.

I've done the tiling with 0 grout line, so i just pushed a bit of adhesive in the remaining gaps to seal them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

Outside brown, inside green.

I've done the tiling with 0 grout line, so i just pushed a bit of adhesive in the remaining gaps to seal them.

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ok cool, then my eye were messing with me..

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5040025.jpg
FlexWatt installed into cage.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5040027.jpg
Tile siliconed into place. I checked the specs, and the silicone I used can withstand temps ranging from -60 - +400 so I should be good.

Not many pictures tonight, but the enclosure is now in my room airing out and adjusting temps. Tomorrow I should be able to get some finalized pictures.

That is nice lookin, now I feel realllllly lazy, but yet motivated to start mine.. Great lookin cage.

Cheers

Appreciate your interest and all your comments Zeke.

But anyway.... Drum roll please...:headbang:

It is done!?!?!?!?!?!!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050006.jpg
This is my new thermometer hacked and attached to the side of the cage and working. The humidity is low here as I was playing around with locations for the sensor and water bowl. Currently its at 40% so I might still play around with it.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050007.jpg
Greg's indoor water feature. I'm going to add more rocks around it, but they're currently soaking in water as I had them soak in a mild bleach solution for an hour to kill any nasties and clean them.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050008.jpg
Cool side temperature probe and humidity probe glued to the wall just to the right of the water feature.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050009.jpg
My cunning method of disguising the probes.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050010.jpg
Heated side temp probe resting above the heat pad.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050011.jpg
That probe too was disguised.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050012.jpg
Greg's climbing stick securely glued into place.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5050016.jpg
The interior of the completed cage. It's missing a couple small hides and a snake, but they're in the other tank until tomorrow night.

Looks great. I started to draw up plans for mine.

Cheers

you realize that flexwatt is not suggested to be ran above 95 degrees and it is not suggested to be encapsuled away from airflow per the manufacturer right?

I mean I figured if you weren't aware the manufacturer knows problems could occur if you do these things and do them anyway...then you can't complain if the cage catches fire....and it does happen. I have a vision cage with the results of a nice flexwatt meltdown in my shed.

When I used to have burms I would sandwich the flexxwatt between a sheet of linoleum and the plywood floor of the cage. I never had a problem, but that doesn't mean that you won't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

you realize that flexwatt is not suggested to be ran above 95 degrees and it is not suggested to be encapsuled away from airflow per the manufacturer right?

I mean I figured if you weren't aware the manufacturer knows problems could occur if you do these things and do them anyway...then you can't complain if the cage catches fire....and it does happen. I have a vision cage with the results of a nice flexwatt meltdown in my shed.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

you realize that flexwatt is not suggested to be ran above 95 degrees and it is not suggested to be encapsuled away from airflow per the manufacturer right?

I mean I figured if you weren't aware the manufacturer knows problems could occur if you do these things and do them anyway...then you can't complain if the cage catches fire....and it does happen. I have a vision cage with the results of a nice flexwatt meltdown in my shed.

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If you go back through the pictures, you will notice that the flexwatt is sat on a piece of hardie with holes drilled into it to allow excess heat to vent.


Also. My humidity is not raising above 40%. Do any of you think that if I cover the back vent panel, it will help to raise the humidity?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

If you go back through the pictures, you will notice that the flexwatt is sat on a piece of hardie with holes drilled into it to allow excess heat to vent.


Also. My humidity is not raising above 40%. Do any of you think that if I cover the back vent panel, it will help to raise the humidity?

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I'd try to cover the vent in the back some.. maybe use some tinfoil and tape it in place. Or you could try making a Humid-a-hide with spagum moss and place that over the flex watt. best of luck.


Cheers

Yeah. I just taped over the entire rear vent with some duct tape. I've got some moss that I'll disperse around the tank and moisten if the humidity doesn't pick up. It should though, its already risen two points.
If all else fails I'll just mist his cage as and when its needed. Last time we tried a humidity hide he never used it, but that might just be because his humidity was good and we had it over the cool side like a right pair of n00bs lol

Quick Update. I added some Blue LED lights to the cage for visual appeal and to be able to see the snake without disrupting him.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/P5170019.jpg
Unfortunately this is the best shot I could get.

pretty cool man. iv'e been watching this go since you first posted. you have some good skills bro!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by het.pied

pretty cool man. iv'e been watching this go since you first posted. you have some good skills bro!

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Hey. Thanks. I've started another build log in the other enclosure board on here for a rabbit, but it could easily be adapted for a larger snake such as a boa.

nice cage i think ill have to borrow some of the features :sabduel:

Looks good, I have been trying to find sliding glass runners everywhere for mine but I really like how yours turned out. I might pillage that from you.