Styrofoam cages?

backafter30 · 02-28-13, 07:27 PM

Just wondering how many had watched this video:
DIY Styro Snake Cage - YouTube

Anyone know of any downside to this method? Seems like it would hold heat pretty well, be lightweight, waterproof, and cheaper than plywood. As long as you had enough support and used thick foam, strength shouldn't be a problem. The self-stick tiles don't look the best, but would be great for making an easy-to-clean surface and keep lizards from scratching the styrofoam to pieces. I would just have questions about outgassing and heat tolerance, as mentioned in the youtube comments. Ideas?

marvelfreak · 03-01-13, 06:34 PM

To me i am thinking fire hazard possibly. Plus half of my snake could break out of it. I could see a Burmese, Retic, or anaconda easily break it. My anaconda in feed mode hits so hard if it hit the wall it most likely crack it or put a hole in it. To me just to many different things could go wrong. Plus any kind of heat over time is going to compromise the styro foam. It will became brittle and weak. Just my opinion.

backafter30 · 03-01-13, 10:43 PM

I certainly agree with the durability issue if you're talking a big boa or python, but I can't imagine a corn or kingsnake breaking out, especially if the self-stick tiles are used for reinforcement. I saw some at Home Depot today which were made to look like slate. They could make a fairly decent camo-look background for a viv. I like the ones without the fake grout lines best, but I think the bare styrofoam, built up with texture and grout to create a naturalistic "stone wall" look would be even better. I guess I'm just intrigued by the low weight and temperature moderating potential, plus not having to worry about wood-moisture issues. I would have thought some might have tried it out already.

But, yeah, plywood for a burm or retic for sure.

KORBIN5895 · 03-02-13, 06:33 AM

I have never heard of it but I would definitely like to see how it goes.

LoLzMachine · 04-23-13, 11:28 AM

im looking into making my carpets finnal home out of styrofoam simmilar to the video would like to hear some pros and cons though

Danimal · 04-25-13, 02:01 PM

Here's a recent thread by a site member.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclo...ure-build.html

TheSuppishOne · 04-27-13, 01:38 PM

The only thing I'm confused about is that I'm still not seeing how these cages are more cost-effective than a $250 pvc cage that you don't have to invest time AND money into. Granted, this way you get to say you built it yourself and have the custom look, but I simply can't justify at least 8 hours of time to build, sand, caulk, stain, seal, etc... plus all the buy costs.

backafter30 · 04-28-13, 10:47 AM

Granted, just because we have snakes in common doesn't mean we're all alike. I personally enjoy building things. Home improvement is another hobby of mine, and I have lots of tools and a nice place to work on stuff. There is a certain satisfaction in saying, "I built that.", and I can probably build a nicer/bigger cage cheaper than I can buy one of those PVC cages, whether I used styrofoam or not. (It'll take more than 8 hours, though.) On the other hand, I can see where building just isn't something you're into, and a manufactured cage is right up your alley. As long as the needs of the snakes are met, and they get a healthy, secure environment, it doesn't matter. I do like the uniformity and appearance of the PVC cages, and think that do-it-yourselfers can learn good design from what is manufactured.

TheSuppishOne · 04-28-13, 12:21 PM

Actually, lol, I've been building things since I was 10. My dad is a nuclear engineer and we have never moved into a fully finished house. I've done electrical, plumbing, landscaping, framing, drywall, tiling, etc. You name it, I've done something similar. (In fact, I lost a good chunk of my right thumb to a table saw when I was 21.) The problem is that I KNOW that things take time (and you're right, 8 hours was my minimum guess, lol), and I can easily see it being worthwhile if you're looking to make anything bigger than a 4'x2'x14", but for that "standard" size enclosure, I can't see it.

I would LOVE to build my own cage and get to customize it the way I wanted. I just know it wouldn't be overall cost-effective to do. =P

Bloedig · 04-28-13, 12:26 PM

Seems to me to be strong enough and you could customize things easily. I agree that it doesn't save anything if your including labor, but if you enjoy building, then it seems a good way to go.