how i build my enclosures.

[HetForHuman]

Well ive had quite a few people asking me on how i build my enclosures. So this is for all of you that asked.

First off i figure out how big i want the cage, then i go get it cut at the store. This is just better and quiker for me because i cant cut very sraight with my own saw.
For everyone that wanted to know htey wanted to know about my ball pythons enclosure, so here are what you will need.

1 sheet of 5/8 melamine, cut into.
2- 36"x18"
2- 18"x18"
2- 2 1/2"x36"
1- 36"x16.75"

next thing i do is basically put the 4 sides together, i had all the right stuff at home to be able to do iut myseldf but you may need another person there to help you hold the pieces together.
i start off like this.


ensure that you pre-drill all the holes, or you will end up with a cage that will prob fall apart on you. and it will probably have screws coming out everywhere.lol

here is the box with all 4 sides attached.

Now that you have all 4 sides done is lay the box over on the ground and take the peice that is 36"x16.75" and slide it into the box, if you have a level floor this should make it so the back of the cage is now flush with the peice you just put inside. Now predrill and screw together.


once this is done i put the cage up on a bench or whatever you can and put in the litter dams. These are the pieces that are 2 1/2"x36"



Now what i do is once the cage itself is built is i go ahead and seal all the cracks inside with 100% clear silicone.
just on the inside make sure you let the silicone set up for a good day or so.
Then i go ahead and start cutting the holes for the vents.(i havent done this yet as i am trying out a different vent for these cages). But once i get off my butt and do it i will be sure to take pics and post them up on how i did it.
i also still have to put the tracks for the glass in as well but i will post all of this after, prob in the next couple days.
so this should get you guys and gals who wanted to know started anyway.
If you have any more questions please feel free to email or pm me.

[CyberGypsy]

Awesome. How do you heat it?

[HetForHuman]

I heat it with one of those human heating pads you get at walmart.
the ones with the low med high settings on it.
i put the heat pad on med and place it underneath the cage on one end and i get a hotspot of about 93 degrees give or take 1-2 degrees.

[Invictus]

Looks great, Het. Simple and effective.

[Snakecharm]

I have to say that I'm rather sold on the human heating pad idea. I have proven that I am apparently incapable of wiring heat tape myself. (Don't ask. ^^; And while there is a place in town that will cut and wire it for you, that's the reptile specialty shop that gives you extra mites free with every feeder rat. They also charge like $15/ft for the wide stuff.

I can go and get a pad at Walmart for $9(US) and it has a built-in temp control on it. No extra mites and all, but I think I can live without the bonus.

[Jeff_Favelle]

A PERFECT boa cage.

[stkkts]

Thats fantastic. Thanks for posting the instructions. Cheap and simple, and effective.

I assume you could get the tracks for the front at home depot. Would you use glass or plexiglass for the front?

[Invictus]

Het - How much do the human heating pads cost you in CDN $ at Walmart? I'm sick of paying $30 for reptile heating pads.

[HetForHuman]

The ones i buy at wal-mart are the Sunbeam health at home wet/dry heat pads and htey arent the cheapest but better than the pet store heatpads by far.

i think the King size heat pad goes for about $28 or so and it is 12"x24"
and i use this one for my 4x2x2 cage.

the other one i use for my 3x18x18 cage is the 12"x15" heat pad and i think it is about $23.

[HetForHuman]

i use the 1/8 inch tracks with normal 1/8 inch glass. plexi glass is more $ and it scratches easier.

i get my tracks at Rona, since i havent found any at home depot yet.

[raVven]

Het, your timing is perfect!! I am just about to start on an enclosure for my Balls, and i was trying to think of a way to heat it!!
couple of questions though...
-Doesn't the heatpad under the melamine get to hot for the wood, and start to damage the pad or the tank?
- do u use any other heating/lights etc? and if so..where and what type??
- i found an intank lighting fixture that has 2 ceramic fixtures, for whatever type of lamps/ceramic heaters you need, with seperate controls for each one...i was thinking of using it on one end, and a heatpad on the other??
any suggestions/comments??
thanx,
jc.

[HetForHuman]

well what you need to do is put some little legs or something to raise the cage about 1/4 to a 1/2 inch from the ground or other cages if you are going to stack them, to allow for airflow for the heat pad. other than that i havent had a problem at all with the heat pads.

i ust some little 12" flourescent lights i mount in the cage for lighting, but i dont use anything else for heat because i keep the ambient temp in my house around 80 or so.

if you keep the ambient up in your house all you will need is the heat pad underneath.

[Yve]

another way to leave some space under the enclosure is to place the bottom an inch up the sides...this way you'll have legs...and if you stack the enclosures and don't want the enclosures to move just screw stoppers on the roofs of the tanks....I used 1/4" piece of scrap wood that goes the width of the enclosure on both sides just inside the legs.

HetForHuman- you might want to silicone the cuts you make for the vents too!

[drewlowe]

How did you put the litter dams in there??? are they screwed or siliconed???

[HetForHuman]

Originally posted by drewlowe
How did you put the litter dams in there??? are they screwed or siliconed???

They are both screwed in.