Building a JCP enclosure, Please help.

[Xanafein]

I Am currently keeping my 4 month old JCP (sweetheart) in a 25 gallon tank with a mesh top with some plywood on top to hold in humidity and heat, however, she is growing fast, and it is nearing the time to get her a better more permanant home, i work a crappy job making minimum wage, and dont have the extra cash to buy a large home for her, wich brings me to my quandry, how to build her new home, since she is going to end up being a 7 foot snake, im looking at a cage with the following dimensions, following this order Hight x Depth x Length

4.5' x 2 'x 4'

givving 8 square feet of floor space, and 4.5 feet of up room, that being said i need to look into materials and such, any tips would be much apreciated, she will be fine in her 25 gallon for at most 3-4 months, after that, she could live in it but i doubt she would be comfy

[Serpantstrike]

hmmm how about a wooden frame and some nice metal screen? that seems like the cheepest and easiest way. some two by fours, paint, staple gun, and screen. home depo time!

[Xanafein]

well that would most certainly work, although id use plexiglass over screen for most parts, as im familiear with it, and like a clear view of my baby, im going to be drawing up various plans, more to follow

shoulda had a better title for the thread though huh... doesnt help my cause at all..

ill pm infernalis about it

[infernalis]

I have built many cages with one purchased sheet of wood, and a couple 1"x1" square pine wood frames, total cost usually under $30 per cage.

You can score scrap glass at any window shop for a bargain price, just ask for any orders that got canceled out, or pieces that got cut an inch too short for the job, or my all time fave, leftovers.

The next time you see a glass coffee table at a yard sale for $5, get it, take off the glass top and throw away the rest, use that heavy glass for a cage front.

I am terrible cutting a straight line, so I have Home Depot cut my sheets on their big laser guided table saw. Perfect cuts every time.

there are a hundred ways to save bucks on this.. look at "junk shops" for old store display cases, I have seen awesome display cases sell for under $50 complete with sliding glass doors.

[Xanafein]

Wayne your awesome, i actually got contacted from a local rescue, they have a 4 foot high 50 inch long 18 inch deep one they dont need i think its glass mesh top for 150$, they are willing to give it to me for 130 complete with heating set up for my old ten gallon that i useed to use to Gas my rodents before feeding to my corns but since my corns now have happy new homes i dont need the gas chamber

[Ch^4]

Try this thread out, it's from another forum, but they do an excellent job with instructions, pictures, cost of materials, etc. I think they said a 4x2 (height unknown) enclosure for $100 and it looks like a professionally built cage!

How to build 4x2 enclosure for $100 - Redtailboa.net

[Xanafein]

well that enclosure would work well for a ground snake, my JCP loves her branches... i need more up room than out

[Ch^4]

Originally Posted by Xanafein

well that enclosure would work well for a ground snake, my JCP loves her branches... i need more up room than out

I completely understand. I'm sure you could slightly modify the sizes to achieve the height you are seeking, without paying too much more than the quoted $100. Just thought I'd throw it out there, but go with what you want and can afford! Good luck!

[Xanafein]

aye, at the moment im looking at a 6 foot high pentagon shape with a glass front, and drop down mesh sides, gotta get some assist from some buddies with the planning though

[presspirate]

I can't say it enough, check your local Craigslist, Freebies, furniture, pets, misc. household. In your situation, I'd say look for a nice used wardrobe or an armoir. Then start working out what you'll need to turn that suckah into a cage. Good luck!

[Xanafein]

thats an excelent idea :O

[Xanafein]

i found a 9 drawer dresser for free that could work..... would need alot of effort put into it though....

[percey39]

I have been tempted to make a dresser into hatchy racks. It would be quite easy to do IMO and would look a lot better than just tubs everywhere.
TV units look the best when converted in my eye's as they are shaped to fit perfectly in a corner and have 2 doors to use on either side.

[infernalis]

That white wood is only important if you want a flashy looking cage, If you can paint, plain wood is cheaper.

Another option that looks really good, speaker carpet from the audio shop, it can look like a massive sub woofer cabinet, it works!

[presspirate]

Originally Posted by Xanafein

i found a 9 drawer dresser for free that could work..... would need alot of effort put into it though....

I'll be looking for a dresser next, a low one to make a cage for my boa. Free furniture. Ooooh the possibilities.....