8'x32"x24" Modular PVC Enclosure Build and Specs

[jmcrook]

As promised here is my thread on the new 8' cage I assembled for Phyllis.
Ordered from Jon's Custom Creations and Reptiles out of PA. No website, you have to find his page on Facebook or just call/text him. He was the only cage manufacturer that would build me an 8' enclosure as two 4' cages that join in the center with the height that I wanted. Animal Plastics stopped responding to me about my requests and Boamaster kept quoting me a higher price every time I talked to him, all while trying to push a 15" tall cage on me that I didn't want. Jon beat the price of either of them and, despite taking twice the quoted time, still got me the enclosure in 8 weeks. I simply can not get anything over 6' into or out of my snake room as it's around a small and tight hallway and my ceilings are only 7' 10". Not quite as easy breezy as an AP cage to assemble (Jon cuts and routers all pieces by hand, not CNC) but I will say that it is built like a brick outhouse.


Now for the specs. It's two black 1/2" PVC cages, both 48"x32"x24" (LxWxH), that join in the center using machine screws and T-nuts with a 12.5" deep shelf along the back. The shelf is screwed into the sides and back of the cage, so not removable, but it adds some nice stability to the build. I just sealed along the edges of the shelves with Lexel solvent caulk the same as I seal all along the base of the enclosure. He forgot to send the shelf brackets so I just used two metal shelf brackets from Lowes. Honestly they were probably easier to install than the PVC brackets would have been.


Heating element is a Pro Products PH1530c custom 190watt RHP. After getting it up and running it's probably a bit of overkill on wattage but I'd rather run a bigger panel at 60% power than a smaller panel at full blast the whole time. It was a doozy of an investment ($275 with shipping) but the 10yr warranty is worth it for me. Bob sends the panel with crazy long screws for mounting so I chose to use 1/2" #8 round head machine screws threaded into T-nuts in the ceiling of the enclosure. I went this route because I wanted my 6' cage stacked on top, not to mention how unsightly it would be to have an extra inch+ of each screw sticking out of the cage. I countersunk the T-nuts by 1/8" using a 3/4" forstner bit to recess the area where the T-nuts would fit. Trickiest part was fishing the 1/2" machine screws through the 1" thick panel with a magnetic screwdriver. I lost one a couple times but managed to fish it out no problem.


Secured the RHP cord to the ceiling using nylon cable clamps and 1/2" #6 round head screws. The vents in the back are round and plenty large enough for the cord to fit through, so I fed it out the back of the cage and then clamped the plug into place.


Lighting is waterproof remote controlled LED strips sealed in place with Lexel. I opted for one strip on either side of the cage and a separate power source for both. Gives me more versatility with light options in the full length of the cage and will make it easier to outfit the cage as two separate 4' enclosures should I need the option later on. They sit back about 1.5" from the door tracks and light the cage pretty well while still offering a little shade under the shelves. Just a small bead of Lexel laid down then stuck the adhesive side of the light strip into the caulk and let it set to cure for a couple days. I didn't get great pics of the notch I cut out of the sides to allow the cord to protrude, but it's just about a 1/2" notch cut out with a dremel.


I installed one climbing perch made from an 8' oak stair rail. Perch mounts are 3-D printed by Specialty Enclosure Designs and are absolutely tough as nails. They're designed for PVC pipe technically, but I like the stability of solid oak vs more flexible pipe for my purposes. Cut the rail to 7' 10" to fit inside and routed a notch for the anti-spin groove in the perch mount. Fits like a glove.


I forgot to take good pics of my "MacGuyver's Cage Cart" build but it's incredibly simple. Just three Milwaukee furniture dollys from Lowes spaced evenly and screwed together with a pair of 1"x4"x8' whitewood boards. Handles are Pullman 6" black metal door pulls screwed into the underside of the dollys on the far left and far right sides. It rolls over the carpet with both cages stacked surprisingly easily.

[Michelle-07]

Wow, this thing is HUGE.. And very nice looking... Great job

[jmcrook]

Ugh... after posting it changed the thread title to look all goofy. If any admins read this could you change the thread title back to 8'x32"x24" Modular PVC Enclosure Build and Specs. ​Thanks!

[Craiga 01453]

Damn! That looks amazing!!!

[Gio]

Ugh... after posting it changed the thread title to look all goofy. If any admins read this could you change the thread title back to 8'x32"x24" Modular PVC Enclosure Build and Specs. ​Thanks!

No matter what it says in the title spot, I got the gist and checked the thread immediately! I was not disappointed, you have an iconic retic cage there! You will have many options when you play around with decor. Obviously its best to wait until the little Philly is all healthy.

Good to see this thread!

[jmcrook]

No matter what it says in the title spot, I got the gist and checked the thread immediately! I was not disappointed, you have an iconic retic cage there! You will have many options when you play around with decor. Obviously its best to wait until the little Philly is all healthy.

Good to see this thread!

Thanks brother! As much as I’d like to deck this thing out with decorations, philly’s means of locomotion is not unlike a bulldozer. At best I’ll maybe string some fake vines along the perch and maybe hang some plants from the vents in the back but we’ll see. Like you said, wait until she’s back to 100% before getting wild with substrate and decor and such


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[Jakethesnake69]

Pretty damn sweet! From a glance at the pics it’s hard to tell it’s sectioned.

[Gio]

Thanks brother! As much as I’d like to deck this thing out with decorations, philly’s means of locomotion is not unlike a bulldozer. At best I’ll maybe string some fake vines along the perch and maybe hang some plants from the vents in the back but we’ll see. Like you said, wait until she’s back to 100% before getting wild with substrate and decor and such


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That's about all I have. The fake vines over the dowel, twine around the fence post and plants from the vents.

I did punch some fake leaves into the dowel and into the tree trunk but the floor is a hide and water bowl.

His water bowl is huge but he moves it these days.

[Phillydubs]

That thing is GANGSTAAAAA!!! Wow!!

aweosme

[EL-Ziggy]

That is an awesome enclosure! Well done sir!!