Help me build an ideal Savannah enclosure..

Dom · 03-02-03, 06:16 PM

Alright guys!

I am going to be starting a new project in the next few days to come.. I am building a new savanah tank.. MY floor dimensions are 6 x4 ...

Height is undertermined yet.. I was thinking 3 feet high - can be higher ..

I am thinking of using melanin bottom side and top .. and a nice finishing wood for my fronts.. My doors would be on the front and two sides..

What would be the best furnishing in the cage.. IE .. like a kind of second level just under the basking lite to give greta temp gradinets and to prevent the dirt from drying up so quickly ..

I simply want as many advise as possible..

Tx everyone

Dom

tabastifur · 03-02-03, 06:33 PM

Hey, build it through home depot. THe guys there got me all the stuff I needed for my then to be savannah cage. 6 feet by 3 feet. Which I have no converted into a Yellow ackie cage because I couldn't find any decent savannah's. But the 6X3X2 cage I had them build had the entire front as plexiglass and two side doors. Cost me 200 dollars cdn.

¤DDS¤

Steeve B · 03-02-03, 06:47 PM

Just a tip Dom, the trick when using melamine is to carefully seal all joints, because that’s where moisture attacks the edge of melamine. A good way to prevent this is to apply silicon in every joint, but this is easily scratched by monitors, so I use a plastic corner and fix it securely with wood screws. Like on photo.
Kind regards

Dom · 03-02-03, 06:55 PM

Very good Idea Steeve .. I am actually thinking of not using the melanine.. instead using normal ply wood and simply varnishing it a couple of times.. It has worked wonders for me so far but i was very interested in using melanine.. thanks for the advise..

Do u have any other?

Take care
Dom

Steeve B · 03-02-03, 07:07 PM

Yes glue correlated plastic sheet to your ply-wood, this will make it last for ever. 12$ a sheet 4x8 use the same corners I described, and I guaranty this cage will be on your will. Even my adult crocs don’t claw thru this. Much better then melamine just a little more expensive, or is it?
Cheers

snakemann87 · 03-02-03, 07:09 PM

awesome cage, and monitor steve. I will be keeping up with this post since i will be getting a red tegu, or a ridge tailed monitor in a few months. I will probably be using plywood also

tabastifur · 03-02-03, 07:17 PM

I also used silicon for the edges of my ply wood cage, but if you are getting a savannah, get no less then 3/4 inch thick plywood. Once they get bigger, there is a chance that they could knock down a wall. I know it sounds insane, but they are very powerfull.

Again, the plastic sheet is another great idea that I also used, prior to putting the plastic on, I used some non-toxic water resistor just in case. Never hurts.

Best of luck...

¤DDS¤

snakemann87 · 03-02-03, 07:19 PM

what would be best for a tegu? plastic or silicon on plywood, is there a difference?

tabastifur · 03-03-03, 01:26 PM

Just use both, it will also help sturdy the enclsure too...It's better to have to much than too little.

Good luck.

¤DDS¤

snakemann87 · 03-03-03, 04:31 PM

ok thanks. How big would a cage for a Red Tegu have to be. Would a 6x3x2 be good for an adult?

tabastifur · 03-03-03, 06:24 PM

I have heard of adult Red Tegus growing more than 4 feet in total length, and weighing more than 20 pounds. So your 6X3X2 cage unfortunately won't be large enough. It is good however to raise Tegus in a sub-adult pen untill they are too large for it. THen switch them to a larger one. With a 6X3X2 cage, you'll have to get a larger one in little more than 2 years. And at that point, you'll probably want to go with an 8X4X4. Bigger the better.

Regards,

¤DDS¤

snakemann87 · 03-03-03, 07:53 PM

ok, i was gonna a get a 55 gallon to start. But I havent heard of any reds bigger than 4ft? I read their max is 41 inches. But then, like ball pythons and others, theres always the freaks, so ill build the 8x4x4 just incase.

Dom · 03-04-03, 01:10 AM

Thanks to all who answered my thread ..

Snake man .. not to be rude but you have asked these tegues question several times in other ppls thread, completly changing the thread to your own means...

If the thread is about monitors in a monitor forum, then reply to the thread with an appropriate monitor answer. Don't just post a question on tegues in "how to build a monitor cage"...

Sorry just a pet peeve .. It's simply annoying as my thread gets lost and turns into yours..

Thansk Dom

Steeve B · 03-04-03, 01:22 AM

I agree Dom thats why I didnt reply. Regards

snakemann87 · 03-04-03, 04:57 PM

it may not be a monitor, but there caging is the same. I'm sorry.