View Full Version : Custom cages
trailblazer295
03-17-17, 03:56 PM
I'm planning for down the road for a 4x2x2 and 6x2x2 cage. I'm still awhile off needing them as the future inhabitants are still worms. I've debated buying PVC ($$$), building something and recently someone suggested contacting a custom cabinetry place as they have the tools and coated materials and the tools to put it together in no time. I would want sliding glass doors for these two cages. I can see be necessary to seal the joints with silicone but other then that I can't think of another issue.
As anyone ever tried this?
GyGbeetle
03-17-17, 04:44 PM
If the materials are all coated and treated, the only thing I would ask is if there are any chemicals they use the sealant process that would cause an animal any harm. I have a boaphile, PVC made, and all of the joints and metal pieces appear to have rust on them; that might be something to consider too, if there's an option to get joints and metal screws that are rust resistant (if that's even an option). My husband wants to build one, but we have too many snakes that are getting larger faster than expected, so we may end up just going with PVC.
I've seen some enclosure designs on this very website in this discussion forum; some even had plans, and looked pretty straight forward to build.
Whatever you decide, please share the experience? Especially for us newbies like me. I'm still on the fence about how we want to stabilize our snake room (currently everyone is just lined up on plastic bins, and it looks.. well, exactly like you'd think it would look with 10 tanks all lined up against a wall on grey plastic bins).
trailblazer295
03-17-17, 05:00 PM
Real stainless steel won't rust, some companies might use a chromed metal that is high in nickel and that will rust. Real stainless steel has a different colour, a magnet is another good way to tell.
When planning your adult cages I'd try to stick to a certain length. 4' or 6' While some might not need 4' as in Ziggys thread best to stick with stuff you can stack A 6x2 or 4x2 will be the bottom with 4' on top
GyGbeetle
03-17-17, 07:48 PM
I think most of the boas could be in a 4', as they aren't getting to get too much bigger than maybe 7' tops. But we have 2 retics and a burmese python. The burm is going into our 6' boaphile, as soon as we figure out what kind of heating element we want to use (we have an RHP, but I've heard heat tape is better for the terrestrials. I don't know anything about any of those, so I have no clue).
I just don't know. Animal Plastics has great product too, but with the boaphile, which is an expensive cage when purchased new (we got a steal on it), the metal hinges are rusted. We are having to clean off the rust, but I know it's going to be a long term issue with the humidity and stuff.
Then my husband wants to do what you're doing, and possibly build something using treated wood and do all that fancy stuff that goes over my head. It's just going to take time. Buying from a manufacturer is as easy as picking up the phone, telling them what you want, paying for it, and then having it be delivered. I guess I'm lazy, because I like that level of easy.
EL Ziggy
03-17-17, 09:29 PM
I'm not very mechanically inclined so it's all AP cages for me.
My vote is for AP Cages. I plan on continuing buying from them.
Downside is the wait time. I waited 6 months for the 6X2X2.
EL Ziggy
03-17-17, 11:03 PM
Gee wiz! 6 months? That's not cool at all. :(
GyGbeetle
03-18-17, 02:42 AM
Why so long. Did they tell you?
BillyCostume
03-18-17, 08:03 AM
Does AP ship to Canada? These are the ones that come flat packed right? I bought my cages from Herp Houses and they're amazing. Got them in 2 weeks. Shipping was a bit costly but if you're in Ontario I imagine you can pick them up and save some $$$
Why so long. Did they tell you?
It was a year ago, but I think there was a material supply issue at the time coupled with large amount of orders. It didn't bother me as I ordered beginning of December and was not looking until end of summer anyway.
Another positive: If you get a RHP (Radiant Heat Panel) from ProProducts, they will drop ship it to AP and they will install it for you, cable grooves and all.
trailblazer295
03-18-17, 10:26 AM
Does AP ship to Canada? These are the ones that come flat packed right? I bought my cages from Herp Houses and they're amazing. Got them in 2 weeks. Shipping was a bit costly but if you're in Ontario I imagine you can pick them up and save some $$$
I have a cage from herphouses. My plans for the 4x2x2 has me questioning the structural integrity of the PVC and 6' cages become very expensive lol
GyGbeetle
03-18-17, 10:57 AM
It was a year ago, but I think there was a material supply issue at the time coupled with large amount of orders. It didn't bother me as I ordered beginning of December and was not looking until end of summer anyway.
Another positive: If you get a RHP (Radiant Heat Panel) from ProProducts, they will drop ship it to AP and they will install it for you, cable grooves and all.
I have an RHP, I believe from ProProducts. I'll see if I can send it to them. I'd rather have everything built, by professionals that do this on the daily. Than build something and have it be built wrong.
BillyCostume
03-18-17, 11:16 AM
I have a cage from herphouses. My plans for the 4x2x2 has me questioning the structural integrity of the PVC and 6' cages become very expensive lol
I hear that lol. I'm in the steel industry and lately I've considered making frames and going the custom route also. Keep us updated, I'm really curious on how much a cabinet maker would quote you on something like that
I have an RHP, I believe from ProProducts. I'll see if I can send it to them. I'd rather have everything built, by professionals that do this on the daily. Than build something and have it be built wrong.
Same mentality here. Dad, having done a lot of custom wood work for himself was quite impressed with the cage when we started assembling it.
I would love to go all PVC cages but that's big bucks compared to having my local guy build them for me, which is how I will go... Here is is facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/CustomReptileHomes/
You can get it build with melamine and sliding doors... He won't do any electrical work for insurance reasons but I think I can do that...
If I had a place I try to build them myself I give it a go, but I don't and I'm old so yea, I will go with this guy when it's time. :crazy:
GyGbeetle
03-18-17, 02:27 PM
I wonder if your guy goes to any of the AZ shows? Those are some great looking setups he has. My husband is a former electrician, but I kinda don't trust him (sshhh don't tell him I said that). So I'd have to find someone that could help with the heating setup.
I wonder if your guy goes to any of the AZ shows? Those are some great looking setups he has. My husband is a former electrician, but I kinda don't trust him (sshhh don't tell him I said that). So I'd have to find someone that could help with the heating setup.
I don't know if he goes to any shows... He says he'll deliver free up to 30 miles away, which puts me in range... I doubt you'd want to pay for shipping; You'd lose all your savings of have them build...
Any good local cabinet builder could build the same thing... I'd check locally and get an estimate...
As far as the electrical, It's pretty straight forward... I'm sure your husband can handle it....
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