I give up!

I am so frustrated. For the past month I've been thinking of ideas to build my own stacked ball python cages. Originally I was going to build 4 individual wood cages with rubber feet to stack and plexiglass front doors. Then I wanted a book shelf type enclosure with 4 "shelves" and again plexiglass front hinged doors (considered sliding doors too). But unable to use pine, cedar, or fir for plywood, MDF is way too heavy to carry up my stairs to the second floor, and all other woods are just insanely expensive. I wanted something to "showcase" my snakes, since I can't really have too many. My landlord might have a heart attack if he knew I wanted 4 more...but still! I don't mind the rack systems they are just expensive to buy online, and they seem kind of small for a full grown ball python. I know they are great for breeders and people with multiple snakes, but I only wanted like 4. It seems like for the price of building my own I might as well get it online, which is way too much. Anyone have any nice looking and comfortable ideas for housing 4 snakes? Any pictures would be nice, I'm pretty handy so I can make something myself, I just need ideas! It's driving me crazy lol. Thanks!

Leah

A while back, I think in January. Ohhwhataloser had some pictures of his cages he built, and they seem pretty nice and might fit what you are looking for..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...r/DSCN0805.jpg

Thank you, that is exactly along the lines of what I'm looking for. Do you have a link to the thread? I just don't know what materials are needed...

I built these out of 3/4 plywood sanded on one side. I used a water based stain and water based polyurethane. http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0907_thumb.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...1277_thumb.jpg

I cannot find the thread, but someone had taken a tub and cut a hole in it for a plexi glass window to be screwed into. They used a fairly large tub that way around the size of a 20 gallon aquarium. The lid was held in place with luggage straps. The rest of the tub was set up like a normal aquarium with bedding, hides and fake plants ext... The person that posted this stated that it gave him/her all the advantages of a tub, but still being able to view the snakes....

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Loser-s-caging

There is the thread, I forwarded anything that he PM'd me. Cause I was curious about the door and such.

Alright so right after I posted this I figured I'd check at Walmart to see if I could brainstorm. And I found THIS!
http://i53.tinypic.com/ejz9ec.jpg
They had 32 1/8" x 19 1/8" x 13 3/4" Sterilite Containers with locking lids, that are completely clear! The rack is the 4 tier multipurpose rack (found it in the DIY isle). For a grand total of...

Rack-$34.97
Container (each)-$14.67
Total-$78.98!

Still a lot to do before I can put a snake in it...but wanted to share this with you all. I loved everyone's ideas. Gotta love good ol' Walmart! Now....anyone have any suggestions at to what to use for heat in these?

Leah

Flexwatt and a Herpstat. You can run it along the back area equal lengths on all tubs. Make sure to get the grounded version since that rack is metal. I would also use black contact paper on the outside 3 walls of the tubs that you aren't looking at so the snakes feel secure. I use put black contact paper on the outside of my tubs for that very reason. That's a mighty big tub unless you're throwing in adult females.

Regards,

B

Ok! What you got in mind to put in there? :)

I figured the flexwatt would be better, and I am getting a thermostat before I put anything in there. I know the dimensions seem big...but it's not much bigger than my 20 long gallon glass tank I have, maybe a little taller and two inches longer, and I have a 6 month old male in that now and he's fine. I am putting black Con-tact paper on the two sides and back, as I do with my glass tank. It's gonna be at least a month before I get anymore snakes, so I have time to change things around if needed.

Looks like a good idea! I think if you have the room (looks like you have an extra inch or more of clearance above each tub), I'd probably put a piece of cardboard or a very thin sheet of plywood on the base of each shelf, then you can secure the flexwatt to the base of the shelf rather than to the tub itself. Also, it will help keep the heat where you want it by minimizing the dissipation between the wires of the shelves. Just a thought anyway...

Thanks for all the input! I am planning on getting thin wood to put under each tub, then put the flexwatt over that. I am so excited lol.

Looks like you have this one figured out.... It should work good for you....:gj:

Just wanted to give you a heads up. Lowe's and Home Depot both carry a wonderful thin water resistant paneling type board for use in bathrooms. It's around $14 for a 4 X 8 sheet.

It comes in colors and textures, but both of mine carry smooth plain white as well. It's what my husband and I used for both of our new racks. It's cheap, smooth, thin, sturdy enough and water resistant in case of spills. One side is slick white, the other is like pressed paperboard.

Good job on coming up with a workable rack for yourself. If you find over time the tubs are not quite as clear as you'd like, you can easily put a plexiglas window in the front. You can use a heated hobby knife like the Versatool to cut a hole in the tub. Measure at least a 1" rim all the way around. Cut your plexiglas to fit on the inside. Use small flat screws and nuts to hold the plexi in place with the nuts on the outside and then run a bead of clear waterproof silicon around the edges on the inside to seal and prevent dirt and stuff from getting in between the plexi and tub. Let dry for 24 hours, and voila!

Gale