My DIY 2-unit display cage for $100

[Blue Apple Herps]

Thought I'd share a cage design of mine. I wanted to design a cage that would be less than a $100 and still look pretty nice. Another goal was to make it easy for someone who had never built anything before or didn't have an army of tools; there are no fancy cuts and they can be done at a Home Depot. All you really need is a tape measure and a drill though there are a couple of things that help which are mentioned in the write up.

Also, I designed this one with cornsnakes in mind; but if you used wider melamine (16" instead of 12") should be ok for a bp. I know of several people who also increased the height so that it it became a 4 unit viv.

I did the write up on another forum; but here is a pdf of the write up so you can just print and build. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Here's a pic of the finished cage.

[JimiSnakes]

Nice, good job and thanks!

[qiksilver]

that looks great, thanks for the plans, even though I haven't looked at them yet, my network keeps stalling. But that's a very nice clean set up!

[Reptilian]

BlueApplePaste,

Thanks for the PDF, I was waiting for it when you first posted it on the corn snake forum. I guess I just missed it.

Heating wise, more specifically what to do with the cords, has anyone thought of using a cord grommet or a wire grommet with a homemade enclosure or would the opening for the cord be too big (for a corn snake).

[Blue Apple Herps]

BlueApplePaste,

Thanks for the PDF, I was waiting for it when you first posted it on the corn snake forum. I guess I just missed it.

Heating wise, more specifically what to do with the cords, has anyone thought of using a cord grommet or a wire grommet with a homemade enclosure or would the opening for the cord be too big (for a corn snake).

When I heated mine, I just ran the cords through and plugged the space with silicone. Using a cord grommet is a way better idea though, and I guess it would depend on the size of the grommet and the amount of cords to dictate if it was too big. If it was too big, I imagine that you could figure a way to plug up the gaps. (Oh, and it took a while to get the pdf up, it's up on the other forum, too).

[Reptilian]

I might spend the exta and go for a cord grommet...however the 'smallest' i could find was a 1'' hole for the cord and if I was just using the one flexwatt cord, it would still have room, possibly enough for a cornsnake to fit thru. Maybe roll it in gauze, tape it up, then stuff it up.

Hmm...thanks Matthew for the PDF I didn't mean to sound impatient or anything. It is well done.

EDIT:

I only skimmed thru the PDF, how big is the substrate guard? I see it on the back I figure 2 - 2 1/2 inches big. Can you put on in the front so substraite doesn't fall thru the opening in the plexiglass? Maybe it's there maybe I am not seeing it.

[Blue Apple Herps]

I might spend the exta and go for a cord grommet...however the 'smallest' i could find was a 1'' hole for the cord and if I was just using the one flexwatt cord, it would still have room, possibly enough for a cornsnake to fit thru. Maybe roll it in gauze, tape it up, then stuff it up.

Try here: http://www.cagesbydesign.com/cages/cage_options.asp

The 3" adjustable air vent/cord grommet looks like it might work. I would try to avoid tape (last thing you want is it getting stuck to your snake). Maybe you could close it off using a scrap piece of wood screwed to it or something; sorry, don't really have a great answer for you as I've never tried to do this.

Hmm...thanks Matthew for the PDF I didn't mean to sound impatient or anything. It is well done.

Nope, didn't think anything of the sort.

I only skimmed thru the PDF, how big is the substrate guard? I see it on the back I figure 2 - 2 1/2 inches big. Can you put on in the front so substraite doesn't fall thru the opening in the plexiglass? Maybe it's there maybe I am not seeing it.

It's there, take a closer look at the part where the 1x3's are attached and you'll see that they act as a bedding dam. It sticks up about 2" above the floor to act as a dam. There is one in the rear for additional support and for the peg board to anchor to. Let me know if you still don't see it.

[weirdbuglady]

Awesome cage and great instructions, I'll keep this saved for the future, I've been thinking about how to build some nice units like that and these have been the easiest to follow instructions I've seen yet.

[weirdbuglady]

Oh, and what would you use to heat it? There has been discussion about what to do with cords, but what about the heating elements themselves?

[Reptilian]

Oh, and what would you use to heat it? There has been discussion about what to do with cords, but what about the heating elements themselves?

With cords I am refering to Flexwatt or a heat mat.