Diy snake enclosures?

Marshallarts · 01-09-15, 10:48 AM

Hi there, thinking about making a cage for Marshall. Is this the best option? I really want to get the absolute best for him, whether I'm making it or buying it.

Anyways, if I am to make my own custom cage, what supplies should I use? I was thinking melamine with a plexiglass door, but I don't know if that would be good or if other materials will work better. What I'm looking for is something that holds heat and humidity, easy to clean, makes Marshall feel secure, and looks good.

How would heat a custom cage? Can I still use a UTH? Or would I be better off using a CHE? Let me know guys!

LarryS · 01-10-15, 07:41 AM

The nice thing about melamine is that it doesn't need to be painted when finished. The drawback is that if moisture gets into the core material it will be damaged.

I've never personally built a cage using melamine board but I know several on this forum have.

I would use a good penetrating epoxy on all exposed core edges, and once the cage is built caulk the seams with a reptile safe sealer.

Personally I would build the cage using 1/2" xpvc board. It's easy to work with and will last forever.

MDT · 01-10-15, 07:56 AM

marshall...i posted this thread a while back (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...osure-day.html ) and there have been several others since, but i'd tend to agree w larrys regarding the pvc products...they look good, much lighter than melamine, impervious to water, easy to clean....i have used both, and pvc wins hands down.

just my 2¢

cheers

Sublimeballs · 01-10-15, 10:48 AM

To build a cage out of wood and treat/seal it properly it'll end up costing as much as a plastic cage. If you don't treat it it will not last. Just go plastic. Either buy one or build it from a local source of pvc sheets.

Marshallarts · 01-10-15, 05:10 PM

Hmm maybe I'll just buy a cage

Kuamata · 01-10-15, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

marshall...i posted this thread a while back (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...osure-day.html ) and there have been several others since, but i'd tend to agree w larrys regarding the pvc products...they look good, much lighter than melamine, impervious to water, easy to clean....i have used both, and pvc wins hands down.

just my 2¢

cheers

Dang, after looking at that I may just order some PVC and make one myself. I'm not too handy, so... What were the dimensions of the scrub's pvc enclosure?

FWK · 01-10-15, 08:49 PM

I've built a few DIY enclosures and racks out of plywood and they've worked well for me so far. I've built two 3' wide by 2' deep by 1' high enclosures and one 3' x 2' x 1'6" for a rough average of about $130 each including a built in light and flexwatt belly heat, with a few more still in production. I was able to keep the cost down by buying the materials in bulk and averaging the costs across all the enclosures. I don't think would be cost effective to build just one, it would probably make more sense to order a PVC cage. Especially if you'd have to buy tools. But if you are looking to put together a collection and don't mind the extra weight of plywood enclosures they're definitely an option to look at. I based my builds on a thread I found on this forum you can find here, and tweaked it to fit my needs. To keep costs down I didn't use any stains or fancy moldings, just plain 3/4 inch Birch plywood and a water based polyurethane for a natural, satin finish. Not exactly beautiful but not bad looking either. I'll attach a pic of the three that are done so far. The top houses a Taiwanese Beauty, the bottom a Bull Snake. The middle is empty at the moment, once I'm done building a couple new hides a Dumeril's Boa will be moving in.

pet_snake_78 · 01-10-15, 11:19 PM

I've been toying with the idea of building enclosures, too. The issue is AP has 4'x2' cages for like 150$ and boamaster has some even cheaper. The PVC to build one costs like 90$ per sheet and that's not including the tracks, glass, etc, plus the time to actually put it together. It might still be worthwhile for a very large cage or if one were building a large number of cages (little savings would add up and you could likely get a discount on the PVC if buying in bulk). Melamine is way too heavy and Plywood needs sealed, so neither of those seem like good options to me.

Sirio · 01-11-15, 03:56 AM

I didn't know melamine until now, good choice! Isolate with a non toxic silicone (they sell it) and you should be fine. I want a custom one as well, they don't produce terrariums large enough for our big boys and girls, I'm planning of building one where she can comfortably stretch her whole lenght (about 3mt) and I want to reecreate desertic and rainforest habitats, so I need a lot of space.

MDT · 01-11-15, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuamata

Dang, after looking at that I may just order some PVC and make one myself. I'm not too handy, so... What were the dimensions of the scrub's pvc enclosure?

kuamata...if i remember, the dimensions of those cages were 30"long x 20"deep x 20" high. i have since swapped out to a rack system for the time being.
those were my first attempt. i realized afterward what the next generation would need (like a raised lip on the bottom to act as a litter dam)....

metalcopper · 01-11-15, 10:54 AM

I built 3 cages out of oak plywood. I painted the entire inside with an enamel door weather proof paint to seal the wood. Then laid down a laminate floor and sealed all around the edge with a silicone. For lighting, I just put in an 18 inch under cabinet florescent light. I use a CHE for each cage, but would like to install RHP instead. Because I built 3 cages, I was able to buy one 9x6 sheet of laminate and cut to fit each cage, one jar of enamel paint, and one jar of poly to stain the outside and make it all cost effective. Still a lot cheaper than buying 3 plastic cages overall.

sharthun · 01-11-15, 11:38 AM

I would talk to stewjoe here on the forums. He has some of the best looking plastic\pvc cages that I have seen.

eminart · 01-12-15, 01:27 PM

If you just want a nice cage, and aren't really into making things, it's probably best to buy one. If you have a specific size or look in mind, or you need something really big, you might look into making your own. I'm planning to make something either 6x2' or 8x2' soon. I want it to be a nice, finished wood so it can be a display in my living room. Buying something like that would cost a lot more than making it. But, a standard sized cage for a BP or similar can probably be purchased for about the same price as making it.

pet_snake_78 · 01-12-15, 08:04 PM

Yep all my research shows the same thing you guys are saying, that large cages are expensive to buy and probably makes a lot of sense to build on your own unless you're well off.

In the end, I purchased a 4 pack of 74qt boxes from Target. They have free shipping on the 4 packs so you can get 4 44x20" tubs for 75bucks. I'm going to get the space of a cage but the cost of a homemade rack so for me that was the best of both worlds but none of my species really use the 12" cage heights they have now so I won't feel bad about that plus these tubs are pretty tall, 7" I think. If the first 4 work out Ok I'm going order a shitload of them and just stay stocked up so I can do several 9 high racks.

reptiledude987 · 01-17-15, 04:51 PM

I made a custom terrariunm for my Nile. It was 6'x30"and 4' high. In the bottom it had a water section that was half of the floor space with a turtle filter and waterfall. Whole bottom was sealed with pond liner and silicone. There was a UV tube and 3 light fixtures (usually only 2 turned on) lots of climbing pertches and rock pile to hide under. Nice daqrk wood stain on the outside. To build the full setup incl wood plexi lighting ect was $550