massive cage build need advice

Well as title says building this huge cage for my snakes.. with extra frameworld i had laying around.. not sure how to make tbe door.. in the frameworld there will be a gasket holding the glass or lexan.. not sure what to get.. glass or lexan.. so it will hold humidity very well.. atm its 4 ft by 2.5 ft and 3 ft tall its 5/16ths frame world

I built 1 6x2x2 and used metal glass tracks to create sliding glass doors.....

Never heard of frame world. Can you elaborate?

http://www.frame-world.com/

[IMG]<a href="http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/strikerball/?action=view&amp;current=cage2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/strikerball/cage2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

[IMG]<a href="http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/strikerball/?action=view&amp;current=cage1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/strikerball/cage1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

i had made 2 types of cages with glass/Plexiglas in them in the past, one was a 4lx2dx2h with sliding safety glass, (had water pythons in them that were very protective of their habitats and needed the assurance they would not go through the glass), and another i build for my adult Olive Pythons about 8lx4dx2h i used Plexiglas and ferring strips, i think they are 2" x 3/4" x 8' i drilled through the plex into the strips for a frame with hinges. with locks never had an issue with that set up other then its weight. however like stated by Slim, i have not heard of the product you are referring to.

its basically erector set for adults and the stuff is STRONGGGGGGG u could literally jack a car up with ease with the stuff.. WAYY overbuilt but had extra so cage it is link to the site is above its 5/16 1.5 inch extrusion

I've used that stuff before Extruded Aluminum Profile is the technical name for it. (it is great for making battlebot frames), but I've never built a cage from it. should be pretty straight forward. I would make sliding glass doors (Lexan scratches and bends really easily) get some sheets of PVC (or ABS Plastic) for the other sides.

Here is a thread on the PVC cages that I use. (just to give you some ideas)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

This site builds cages based on the same type of design you are shooting for:

http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-hybridreptile.aspx

http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/strikerball/

dunno how to get pics to psot.. its cage 1 and cage2 pics.. and alot of izzy and my puppy BRUCE

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Originally Posted by strikerball21

http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/strikerball/

dunno how to get pics to psot.. its cage 1 and cage2 pics.. and alot of izzy and my puppy BRUCE

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Copy and paste the "IMG" code into a post

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/...ball/cage1.jpg

After looking at website still kinda unsure about what product of there's that you have. Is it a extruded clip together aluminum frame or some sort of angle pieces ? Either way I would use plexi over glass only because plexi in easier to use and cut although for me I like glass better(clearer). Make sure to seal all gaps inside with aquarium grade silicone it will seal and add strength to the box. Please post pic when done. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I've used that stuff before Extruded Aluminum Profile is the technical name for it. (it is great for making battlebot frames), but I've never built a cage from it. should be pretty straight forward. I would make sliding glass doors (Lexan scratches and bends really easily) get some sheets of PVC (or ABS Plastic) for the other sides.

Here is a thread on the PVC cages that I use. (just to give you some ideas)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

This site builds cages based on the same type of design you are shooting for:

http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-hybridreptile.aspx

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yeah thats it! i have some of that track way. kinda wanted to put antoher pice about 8inch in the front up so it will be more like the exoterra design.. and 1/4 inch glass front left and right will be glass. back top andd bottom will be solid. not sure wtah to use tho wood maybe? a sheet of delrin "have not priced that yet"

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Originally Posted by luvmyballs

After looking at website still kinda unsure about what product of there's that you have. Is it a extruded clip together aluminum frame or some sort of angle pieces ? Either way I would use plexi over glass only because plexi in easier to use and cut although for me I like glass better(clearer). Make sure to seal all gaps inside with aquarium grade silicone it will seal and add strength to the box. Please post pic when done. Good luck.

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Basically it is aluminum bars that have heavy duty joints that bolt together (or use a J style connector) I guarantee that it will work. I regularly use it in the 350 lb battlebots that I build and they can smash into other 350 lb bots moving at 22 feet per second without bending (only slightly reinforced lol)

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Originally Posted by strikerball21

yeah thats it! i have some of that track way. kinda wanted to put antoher pice about 8inch in the front up so it will be more like the exoterra design.. and 1/4 inch glass front left and right will be glass. back top andd bottom will be solid. not sure wtah to use tho wood maybe? a sheet of delrin "have not priced that yet"

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Delrin, ABS plastic, or PVC sheets would be your best bet, wood doesn't handle the humidity as well. Even Lexan sides painted or sanded so they aren't transparent would work.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Delrin, ABS plastic, or PVC sheets would be your best bet, wood doesn't handle the humidity as well. Even Lexan sides painted or sanded so they aren't transparent would work.

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do you happen to know where i can pick some up at? HS friends parents own a glass company so i have that covered

You can see if there is a sign store local to you, they generally stock plastic sheets. if not there are web sires like these:

http://www.andymark.com/SearchResult...=polycarbonate

http://www.mcmaster.com/#plastics/=gytad8

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant...=2&top_cat=181

http://www.professionalplastics.com/

saphire glass or normal? hmm well waht are the pros seems like a sheet just for 1 side is cheaper as glass than plexi which is weird...

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Basically it is aluminum bars that have heavy duty joints that bolt together (or use a J style connector) I guarantee that it will work. I regularly use it in the 350 lb battlebots that I build and they can smash into other 350 lb bots moving at 22 feet per second without bending (only slightly reinforced lol)

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Hey serp did you ever compete on that show battle bots or was it before your time? Sorry about the hijack.

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Originally Posted by luvmyballs

Hey serp did you ever compete on that show battle bots or was it before your time? Sorry about the hijack.

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No that was before my time, though they are trying to bring it back. (I compete in the same competition it just isn't televised)

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

No that was before my time, though they are trying to bring it back. (I compete in the same competition it just isn't televised)

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Very cool.:gj:

I have a comment that is not about the material (which is cool stuff) but the size. The 3 foot height is likely to cause issues. It is very hard to heat (stratification can be an issue) and humidity. humid air rises and if it is properly vented there this is likely to cause problems. I have made so large cages in the past for royals. The tallest is 20 inches and I had tons of problems holding ambient air temps in a cool room and although I had no issues with humidity (the room is 60% always) if I am changing or working with the humidifier that is the one that drops the fastest. There have been others here whom have built this large but to my knowledge have either cut down or abandoned the tall ones in favour or shorter versions. Just my two cents, 3 feet is very large and difficult to heat correctly for a royal perhaps a GTP or carpet might be better for this size cage.

This is the large royal enclosure I built I mentioned. 30x24x20

http://images17.fotki.com/v147/photo...31/0128-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

This is the large royal enclosure I built I mentioned. 30x24x20

http://images17.fotki.com/v147/photo...31/0128-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

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Very cool!

Beautiful!. I wanted to make it like a double decker at around 18 inches put a floor that will go up into another "tank " if you will.. maybe its just a pipe dream

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

This is the large royal enclosure I built I mentioned. 30x24x20

http://images17.fotki.com/v147/photo...31/0128-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

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What did u use for back and sides?

It is multi-wall polycarbonate.

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Originally Posted by strikerball21

Beautiful!. I wanted to make it like a double decker at around 18 inches put a floor that will go up into another "tank " if you will.. maybe its just a pipe dream

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That is why I did. As my guy is still fairly small though, I haven't implemented the second level.

Updated photo bucket with better view of the extruded alu. And a moch up of .250 poly with gasket in the extruded

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

It is multi-wall polycarbonate.

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Ohh that stuff.. does it work well?

From what i have found on the multi wall stuff... just shows the thickness of the walls.. does it come in. 250 total thickness?

As for heating i was thinking flexwatt.. then an RHP on the bottom of the first floor and top

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Originally Posted by strikerball21

As for heating i was thinking flexwatt.. then an RHP on the bottom of the first floor and top

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For heating, flexwatt is the way to go. just make sure that no snake can come in direct contact with it.

RHP are also great for Heating these types of cages. both will need their own thermostat to control them.

Seems like poly multiwall its around 2 usd a sq ft lexan and glass are 10 to 12.. multi seems to be the way to go

Where did u get ur multi wall?

Bah looks like uts around 4$ a sqft

Yes the multi wall works very well. It is easy to work with and is a seriously good insulator. It is made in metric sizes 9mm 12mm 16mm are what I can get locally. I just bought it from a plastic supplier. The only problem I had was is when you cut it the interior gets full of bits and they are a bit hard to get out of.

Wgat did you use as a frame?

one inch angle aluminium. I just bolted the whole thing together. I used 1/4 PVC (not expanded) for the bottom. The multi wall would be next to impossible to heat through and the expanded pvc (pvcx) is hard to heat through compared to the pvc (pvc is also harder and stiffer)