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Building a cage

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  • 01-24-2007, 06:32 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Building a cage
    I have decided since seeing the ball python cages for the junior naturalist class at school that I too am going to build my own terrarium. I belive it would be a fun project for my my dad and I. All I need now is some advice from all of you. I need to know what kind of wood to use(should I seal, paint,stain, ect..?) what I should use for glass(can plexiglass stand up to the heat of a UTH if used as a floor), what do i need to use for the floor of the cage to make sure the UTH can work, and what should i do for air flow? I am making the type of terrarium with the two front doors that open out and lock. Why you ask? I dont like the idea of picking up my baby and be bitten only to drop her. Plus I am having problems keeping heat and humidity in her cage right now, plus its not as attractive as I would like. I dont want to buy one cause I am into building things plus i think that I can incorperate her needs and fine tune a cage that I build myself.
  • 01-24-2007, 06:36 PM
    mxrider42
    Re: Building a cage
  • 01-24-2007, 06:51 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    Unfortunatly nothing has been posted at that site in a really long time... None of them have information.. more just questions like mine that have not been answered.
  • 01-24-2007, 06:52 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    Nvm the second one helps!
  • 01-24-2007, 06:57 PM
    mxrider42
    Re: Building a cage
    Not a lot of action on the first site, but if you look around read the threads there is some good information.

    Trey
  • 01-24-2007, 07:03 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    How well will melamine with stand the heat from a UTH? If a UTH is used and water seaps through the substrate will it crack like glass?
  • 01-24-2007, 07:23 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    what are some good substitute for glass? Melamine and what?
  • 01-24-2007, 07:29 PM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: Building a cage
    A melamine cage that is 3ft wide x 2ft deep x 14" tall or so, sealed properly at the seams, with front down-opening glass or plexiglas doors, and a radiant heat panel from Pro-Products would be a great cage for an adult Ball.

    I would definitely stick with a small plastic tub(15qt-32qt) while the snake is a juvenile. Big spaces can stress them a bit too much and can cause them to be very insecure. Insecure, stressed babies don't eat, regardless of if the enclosure is set up properly or not.

    And a good thing to remember is, floor space is much more important to Ball Pythons than height of an enclosure. So a 3ftx2ft or even a 4ftx2ft would be very adequate for even the biggest adult female Ball.
  • 01-24-2007, 07:40 PM
    mxrider42
    Re: Building a cage
    I put flexwatt down then put a piece of vinyl florring to cover the floor, to keep the flexwatt from getting wet. I use aspen bedding on glass and wood.


    This is the one i built. You can see the vinyl floor in each level and the aspen. Also each level is 3'x2'.
    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...9/100_3038.JPG
  • 01-24-2007, 07:45 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    so what should i use for the bottom of the terrarium? and the "glass" I cant very well put the UTH under wood and expect it to work...
  • 01-24-2007, 07:51 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    Some woods are not suitible for ball pythons. what are some that are safe? and that are relativly cheap and nice to look at?
  • 01-24-2007, 07:56 PM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: Building a cage
    Well, I gave a suggestion of a radiant heat panel. It is attached to the ceiling of the enclosure and radiates heat safely downward. This will heat up the air and the floor, creating a nice gradiant within the enclosure. It is a flat panel and looks similar to a picture frame in size and thickness. RHP don't emit light either, so can be used 24/7.

    It would be the safest thing to use if you are using wood to build your cage. It does need to be on a thermostat, as should any heat source, so the temperatures are controlled and do not fluctuate.

    Edit: Melamine coated particle board, 3/4", is very safe, waterproof and looks very professional. Downside is, it is heavy, but that can be fixed by mounting casters(wheels) on the bottom of the cage.

    Alot of people build their snake racks out of melamine. You can find it at Home Depot and Lowe's(HD is cheaper :) )
  • 01-24-2007, 08:00 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SatanicIntention
    Well, I gave a suggestion of a radiant heat panel. It is attached to the ceiling of the enclosure and radiates heat safely downward. This will heat up the air and the floor, creating a nice gradiant within the enclosure. It is a flat panel and looks similar to a picture frame in size and thickness. RHP don't emit light either, so can be used 24/7.

    It would be the safest thing to use if you are using wood to build your cage. It does need to be on a thermostat, as should any heat source, so the temperatures are controlled and do not fluctuate.

    Edit: Melamine coated particle board, 3/4", is very safe, waterproof and looks very professional. Downside is, it is heavy, but that can be fixed by mounting casters(wheels) on the bottom of the cage.

    Alot of people build their snake racks out of melamine. You can find it at Home Depot and Lowe's(HD is cheaper :) )

    RHP got it. ohhhhhh thats what melamine is! AHAHA I had a brain fart and was thinking that melamine was some sort of glass.. Sorry for my stupidity...
  • 01-24-2007, 08:08 PM
    SatanicIntention
    Re: Building a cage
    Haha, no, it's not stupid. It's good to be asking questions! maybe go check out Home Depot sometime and see what they have in terms of melamine coated particle board. It's a good building material and withstands the test of time. I have a 3ft x 2ft x 4ft cabinet cage that I built for my rats about 3 years ago, and it's still as strong and good-looking as it was the day I made it(ok, it took a month, LOL).

    Just so it's well-sealed at the joints(where each piece meets), and taken care of, it should last years and be a nice cage :)
  • 01-24-2007, 08:12 PM
    RoyalGuardian
    Re: Building a cage
    I drew out my plans and will Upload them tomorrow. If you all could subscribe or take a look tomorrow at them I would love your imput!
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