Building stackable cages?!

[Kourtneyhk]

Hey folks!

So I'm looking to build some stackable enclosures. Right now everything I have (3 bearded dragons, a water dragon, and a ball python) are all in glass terrariums, and I'm looking to add another snake (or two, or three!) to my group, but I'd like to at least get/make some stackable cages for the snakes. I was wondering if anyone has any recommended materials (I've read about laminate shelving, melamine board, etc) and maybe some possible directions? Also, how would I mount flexwatt/heat source for the snakes? Inside but under vinyl flooring? I just know I need to conserve some space and thought it might be a fun project instead of buying a few of them!

Thanks!
Kourtney

[The Serpent Merchant]

If you can get ahold of some sheets of PVC 3/8" - 1/2" thick that would be best. Not only will PVC deal with the humidity better than just about anything but it will also let you put the flexwatt on the outside of the cage.

Check out this thread on stackable PVC cages made by a company called Animal Plastics. It might give you some ideas:

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

[Kourtneyhk]

I'll look into some PVC and see if I can find some at a store around here. Any ideas on what the best way to 'elevate' the cages when stacked? So like there is a little bit of game for putting heat tape on the bottom and allow some ventilation?

[kitedemon]

I would make a couple of suggestions PVC at 1/2 inch is very very heavy. I would use expanded PVC (pvcx) it is less than 1/3 of the weight. However I would suggest using PVC non expanded 1/4 - 3/8 for the bottom as it is far easier to heat through. (no air pockets)

Venting the simple solution is on the sides. I use computer fan grills personally one inside one out. Stacking is one way have you given thought to using a wire shelving system that way you don't need to worry about spacers and air gaps for the uth.


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[The Serpent Merchant]

I'll look into some PVC and see if I can find some at a store around here. Any ideas on what the best way to 'elevate' the cages when stacked? So like there is a little bit of game for putting heat tape on the bottom and allow some ventilation?

Flexwatt when regulated by a good thermostat doesn't need an air gap. I tape the flexwatt to the bottom of my cages then they stack right on top of each other. The thermostat probe goes in a slot on the bottom of the cage like this





But if you want to have a gap in between the cages You could use anything from little rubber feet to pieces of the cage material to raise it up.

[kitedemon]

Flexwatt when regulated by a good thermostat doesn't need an air gap. I tape the flexwatt to the bottom of my cages then they stack right on top of each other. The thermostat probe goes in a slot on the bottom of the cage like this

But if you want to have a gap in between the cages You could use anything from little rubber feet to pieces of the cage material to raise it up.

The manual that comes with flexwatt very clearly states a 1/8 gap is required for safe operation and to avoid excessive heat buildup. I would follow the safety instructions of all heating products. Leave a gap it is safer.

I am not sure that flexwatt is the way I would turn anyway. The big reason why flexwatt is used is ease of installation in racks and cost of large amounts. It doesn't sound like you are using a huge amount and there are safer alternatives on the market easier to manage as well. Flexwatt can become exceptionally hot 160+ unregulated or in the case of a T-stat failure there are a handful of other heaters on the market that do not become so hot in the case of a failure. This makes them less likely to cause issues. Products like ultratherm, intelliheat, and others will only hit 100ºF unregulated so even during a failure serious injury is unlikely. As this is the max recommended operational temp for flexwatt (95ºF) and it should not be operated past this temp it really makes no difference.

http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/flexwatt_userinfo.pdf

http://www.calorique.com/pdf/PetWarmingElements.pdf