Fish dips cage build

So I am starting this as a way to track my build. I have decided to go with acrylic and have a few ideas in my head id like to make the cage 3 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide. This is my idea so far.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...2/Untitled.jpg
I was thinking id make a "nest box" for the snake and in doing so make a little 2 level area for him/her
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...hdip22/111.jpg
I am very open to ideas and hope you guys are able to help guide me in making the best snake cage ever.:banana:
Thank you all for any and all ideas.

What kind of snake are you planning on housing in that? That's a pretty large area for a ball python, if that's your species. Also, are you planning on using clear acrylic? A "shy" species such as a ball probably wouldn't do very well in that setup if that's the plan. Acrylic can also be brittle when cold/cool and can tend to shatter or snap at the joints, such as where you secure it together (screws, other mechanical fasteners, etc.) and it isn't very dimensionally stable over a longer length, as it tends to sag or bow if you don't support it. Not trying to dash your ideas, as it looks cool and could definitely work, just some things to consider. Are you planning on gluing it together or how are you planning on assembling it? I'd also be concerned with how well acrylic tolerates heat...I have no info on that but that might be something to consider if you plan on adding an artificial heat source of some type. Good luck with it!

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Originally Posted by youbeyouibei

What kind of snake are you planning on housing in that? That's a pretty large area for a ball python, if that's your species. Also, are you planning on using clear acrylic? A "shy" species such as a ball probably wouldn't do very well in that setup if that's the plan. Acrylic can also be brittle when cold/cool and can tend to shatter or snap at the joints, such as where you secure it together (screws, other mechanical fasteners, etc.) and it isn't very dimensionally stable over a longer length, as it tends to sag or bow if you don't support it. Not trying to dash your ideas, as it looks cool and could definitely work, just some things to consider. Are you planning on gluing it together or how are you planning on assembling it? I'd also be concerned with how well acrylic tolerates heat...I have no info on that but that might be something to consider if you plan on adding an artificial heat source of some type. Good luck with it!

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Thanks for the reply. You don't use any kinda fasteners to make a acrylic box you use what is called weld-on it makes the bond of two sheets 100% water tight. I wont use the cheap stuff you get at the hardware store I will be using 1/4th and 3/8th sheets in the build. The acrylic in the pics I posted is the idea for the color I was thinking about using along with just the front having the clear acrylic windows.

O and as far as a snake I kinda like the looks of the albino BP. I can add a door to the inside part of the nest box's so she only be in a 1 foot by 2ft area if I need to make it smaller tell she gets bigger. If this is still to big how big for a cage do I want for the life of the BP?

The cage size is fine but I would ditch the "nest box" section for actual hides. BP's like small confined spaces where they can feel secure. A 1 size fits all isn't going to work.

I would suggest these made by reptile basics. Replace with the correct size as needed:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

This is what my cages look like:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

And here is a thread about them:

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

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The cage size is fine but I would ditch the "nest box" section for actual hides. BP's like small confined spaces where they can feel secure. A 1 size fits all isn't going to work.

I would suggest these made by reptile basics. Replace with the correct size as needed:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

This is what my cages look like:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/c22733cf.jpg

And here is a thread about them:

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

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Thanks for the info. What place did you get the heater for the top of the cage at? As far as the nest box area I can make little box's for her to hide in I was thinking tho she like a area that is 100% blacked out.

You are correct ion assuming that a BP needs a blacked out area. But they need more than one (one on the hot side and one on the cool side) and they need to be correctly sized. That's why we use hides like these:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/da98c371.jpg

The can be purchased here: http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

You can purchase flexwatt under tank heating and Radiant Heat Panels from Reptile Basics: http://www.reptilebasics.com/heating

This is where I purchased my cages from: http://www.apcages.com

Nice sketchup i use that program during my Architecture Bachelors for building designs :gj: Nice to see it used in some other way.

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Originally Posted by oskyle1567

Nice sketchup i use that program during my Architecture Bachelors for building designs :gj: Nice to see it used in some other way.

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Thanks I love the program for what you get and it being free you cant beat that.
So the big question will the snake be ok with a cage in different color other then black?

As long as its opaque I don't think the snake will care.

Cool design fish. I don't know how you nest box will affect the heat gradient. But if you can get temps and humidity under control and can accommodate the unnecessary sized hides then who knows you may start a trend.

Sorry necessary sized hides. Must have selected the wrong spelling correction.

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Originally Posted by arialmt

Cool design fish. I don't know how you nest box will affect the heat gradient. But if you can get temps and humidity under control and can accommodate the unnecessary sized hides then who knows you may start a trend.

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Well I plan to build a ato mist unit and temp wont be hard as I will put fans on it so if its hot the blow out the warm air. I have decided to get this equipment so far.

Reptile basics 160 watt radiant heat panel
Herpstat 4

Still trying to find a good ato mist unit or I may just build one. with the mist unit is ro water fine?

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Also what about adding stuff like this in the cage?
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...dip22/2222.png

I'll be honest a BP cage shouldn't need fans or a misting system. Plus the 160 heat panel is way more than necessary (the 40 is the appropriate size)

Honestly by the time you do all of this you are going to spend way more money than just purchasing a professionally made PVC cage like the Animal Plastics T8

http://www.apcages.com/

Simpler is better. This is how I house all of my ball Pythons

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps743950fd.jpg

These cages hold in heat and humidity very well. You can use under tank heaters, radiant heat panels or both.

If you really want to make things complicated here is a good misting system. RO water isn't necessary but will increase the life of the misting heads.

http://www.mistking.com/

Ball pythons are nocturnal terrestrial snakes. This means that they are only active at night and they don't climb. The most important aspect of a BP cage is providing the correct temperature gradient (90 degrees on the hot side and 80 degrees on the cool side with 40%-60% humidity) and security. Nothing else is really important.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I'll be honest a BP cage shouldn't need fans or a misting system. Plus the 160 heat panel is way more than necessary (the 40 is the appropriate size)

Honestly by the time you do all of this you are going to spend way more money than just purchasing a professionally made PVC cage like the Animal Plastics T8

http://www.apcages.com/

Simpler is better. This is how I house all of my ball Pythons

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ps743950fd.jpg

These cages hold in heat and humidity very well. You can use under tank heaters, radiant heat panels or both.

If you really want to make things complicated here is a good misting system. RO water isn't necessary but will increase the life of the misting heads.

http://www.mistking.com/

Ball pythons are nocturnal terrestrial snakes. This means that they are only active at night and they don't climb. The most important aspect of a BP cage is providing the correct temperature gradient (90 degrees on the hot side and 80 degrees on the cool side with 40%-60% humidity) and security. Nothing else is really important.

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I don't care about the money part of it to me its the fun of doing it and learning as I build it the cage alone will only be 65.00 or so to build. I order acrylic in 4x8 sheets so its not going to be very much. I all ready have most of the blue acrylic. The room the room the BP will be in is at 65 all year long so I rather have a heater that will keep up with the cold. I was thinking about doing 2 40 heaters. So are you thinking a area sunk with bark for her to dig in along with a cave or something using heat tape to keep it warm?

So I think I have found the kinda BP I will get a Lavender albino been looking at the one Dave Green has on his site.

I really admire the effort you are putting into this project, but I feel like it will be wasted on a ball python. They really make boring display snakes (sorry ball pythons, I still love ya!).

Instead of adding heat, try adding some insulation to maintain temps. 2 RHPs AND flexwatt is overkill. These animals don't need to be kept at ridiculously high temperatures.

I think if you are really set on building a nice display cage, pick a different kind of snake. Maybe an arboreal snake or a boa of some sort. They are a little more exciting to look at and make better use of the display. In any case, I think the nesting box is unnecessary and will just be annoying to clean.

Also, if you plan on getting a hatchling animal, you should raise it in something smaller until it is an adult, then transfer it to your custom cage.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I really admire the effort you are putting into this project, but I feel like it will be wasted on a ball python. They really make boring display snakes (sorry ball pythons, I still love ya!).

Instead of adding heat, try adding some insulation to maintain temps. 2 RHPs AND flexwatt is overkill. These animals don't need to be kept at ridiculously high temperatures.

I think if you are really set on building a nice display cage, pick a different kind of snake. Maybe an arboreal snake or a boa of some sort. They are a little more exciting to look at and make better use of the display. In any case, I think the nesting box is unnecessary and will just be annoying to clean.

Also, if you plan on getting a hatchling animal, you should raise it in something smaller until it is an adult, then transfer it to your custom cage.

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I agree with this 100%

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