Why not just buy these

[smy_749]

This might be a stupid question, but I'm just curious why people don't just buy something like this and use it for an enclosure?

ASB 38 in. x 38 in. x 74-1/4 in. Neo-Angle Shower Kit in White and Chrome-403306 at The Home Depot

Its much cheaper than building a clunky wooden one, looks decent and you would just need something for the top (sheet of plexi glass?)


Or even something like this?

Durastall 32 in. x 32 in. Shower Stall with Standard Base in White-68 at The Home Depot

[RandyRhoads]

$400 is not cheaper than I can build one for.

I think my "clinky" wooden one looks a lot better than having a random shower with a snake in it.....

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

$400 is not cheaper than I can build one for.

I think my "clinky" wooden one looks a lot better than having a random shower with a snake in it.....

Some of the enclosures I've seen are ugly, not all of them. And if you fill it with plants, substrate, and nice lighting, I don't think people would realize it was a shower. It would just look like a nice display cage.

And from the people I talked to, the cost / time of building their enclosures was more than 400 dollars which I why I posted this. Especially for those of us who don't know how to build things :P

[StudentoReptile]

I wish I had $400 to drop on stuff like this. The thing is, building cages is not rocket science. Plenty of DIY stuff on the web, and places like this. Most people are simply lazy IMHO. I learned after many years, that I can save a buttload of money by building my own stuff.

But hey...if you got $400, there are plenty of nice enclosures you can get made for herps, than just a shower stall.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

I wish I had $400 to drop on stuff like this. The thing is, building cages is not rocket science. Plenty of DIY stuff on the web, and places like this. Most people are simply lazy IMHO. I learned after many years, that I can save a buttload of money by building my own stuff.

But hey...if you got $400, there are plenty of nice enclosures you can get made for herps, than just a shower stall.

My problem with building is not so much I can't follow a tutorial, but I don't have any sort of power tools...

And for a large enclosure, the wood would come out to a few hundred bucks without labor hours, sealant, whatever else. Anyways, was just a thought. Can save alot of trouble to just buy something that easily is put together/taken apart. I don't know of any site that sells something 72 inch tall 36 x 36 for 400 though.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by smy_749

My problem with building is not so much I can't follow a tutorial, but I don't have any sort of power tools...

And for a large enclosure, the wood would come out to a few hundred bucks without labor hours, sealant, whatever else. Anyways, was just a thought. Can save alot of trouble to just buy something that easily is put together/taken apart. I don't know of any site that sells something 72 inch tall 36 x 36 for 400 though.

Tools? Well, IMHO, a good power drill is a good investment for any adult, herper or not. Never know what it comes in handy.

Where on earth are you getting quotes on wood? I suppose it depends exactly what type of herp you're building for, but it shouldn't cost "a few hundred bucks" just for the wood. I mean, I can build an outdoor full-sized iguana cage for under $200 if I wanted. If you plan ahead, measure out what you need, and shop smart, you can get what you need for cheap. A lot of places had spare pieces that they may sell at a discount, too, or may even throw out (especially locally owned businesses).

Seriously, if you got a power drill and access to a circular saw (if not you, maybe a friend or relative has one to borrow), everything else is basic: hammer, tape measure, screw drivers, nails, screws, etc. I'm not professional carpenter, but I'm pretty darn proud of what I have accomplished so far.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Tools? Well, IMHO, a good power drill is a good investment for any adult, herper or not. Never know what it comes in handy.

Where on earth are you getting quotes on wood? I suppose it depends exactly what type of herp you're building for, but it shouldn't cost "a few hundred bucks" just for the wood. I mean, I can build an outdoor full-sized iguana cage for under $200 if I wanted. If you plan ahead, measure out what you need, and shop smart, you can get what you need for cheap. A lot of places had spare pieces that they may sell at a discount, too, or may even throw out (especially locally owned businesses).

Seriously, if you got a power drill and access to a circular saw (if not you, maybe a friend or relative has one to borrow), everything else is basic: hammer, tape measure, screw drivers, nails, screws, etc. I'm not professional carpenter, but I'm pretty darn proud of what I have accomplished so far.

I got my numbers from home depot / lowes to build an 8 x 8 x 4 encosure. The 4 x 8 sheets I need would be doubled, because I want to insulate the inside, so I guess its not a fair comparison since a glass enclosure wouldn't have the same insulating properties.

[StudentoReptile]

Okay, well, yeah, if you're building an indoor closed-chamber enclosure for a monitor kinda like Wayne has, then that will get pricey. But still, I would rather take the time and effort to custom-build the enclosure to my (and the monitor's!) needs, rather than try and "jimmy-rig" a shower stall.

But hey...people have made some fantastic looking displays out of used appliances and furniture. Mind you, they still put a lot of extra work and money into it. They just buy something and slap a cage door on it to keep the animal in.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Okay, well, yeah, if you're building an indoor closed-chamber enclosure for a monitor kinda like Wayne has, then that will get pricey. But still, I would rather take the time and effort to custom-build the enclosure to my (and the monitor's!) needs, rather than try and "jimmy-rig" a shower stall.

But hey...people have made some fantastic looking displays out of used appliances and furniture. Mind you, they still put a lot of extra work and money into it. They just buy something and slap a cage door on it to keep the animal in.

Yea it gets pretty cold in CT, and if its going to be 8 feet it would have to be in the basement = I'd feel more comfortable with insulation.

[StudentoReptile]

Yeah, I'm down here in the South. Most of my herps can stay outside 2/3s of the year.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Yeah, I'm down here in the South. Most of my herps can stay outside 2/3s of the year.

Lucky. I plan to move eventually to somewhere hot. I'm not big on temps below 70

[Danimal]

Some people have used showers before, but they buy them used.

[KORBIN5895]

I actually like the shower idea. You could add levels and or paint the inside. It would be moisture proof and pretty easy to convert.