New Cages

[WakoNako]

Hey All.

I know its been a looooooong time since I last posted anything. I've just been so swamped.
Since last being on here, I've gotten married, moved into my own place, started working 12+ hours a day, and finally started making tracks into building 2 new cages.

Specs:
14" high on the interior. 12" high with substrate;
Currently 24" deep. 22" once completed;
Approximately 3'6" across. Interior will be around 3' 3" once completed;
Heated using Flexwatt;
Floor will be made of tile;
Most materials salvaged from work;
Lit interior;
Total cost so far: $30 for 2 14" lights and 6 3" vents.

So far I've spent 2-3 evenings over the space of 2 weeks getting to the stage I'm at.

From the last cage I've learn't not to build so tall, these cages are a full 6" shorter on the interior. I've also learn't not to vent the cage too much or it won't hold humidity.

I framed these cages, clad the exterior and then filled the spaces in the frame with styrofoam. This serves two purposes, first it'll keep the cages warmer meaning I won't need the UTH so high and won't require heat lamps. It also provides a base for me to build decorative walls using grout.

First: Basic Plans




Second: Cage interior so far



Third: Vents and light switch. I wired in a wall switch, in the previous picture the blue box in the back of the switch.



Fourth: Light



Fifth: Light in the dark





Both cages are identical so I only posted the pictures of one. The only difference between them is vent layout as they are designed to sit side by side.

I'm still working on plans for the front and doors.

[Marica]

Looking good so far. What type of doors are you thinking of, sliding or swing? Also, what design program did you use to create those plans?

[natedog]

looks kinda like google sketch up

[WakoNako]

I used sketchup to make the plans. The door i'm thinkin a swing down door

[marvelfreak]

Looking good and sounds like it going to be a sweet cage.

[shaunyboy]

looking good mate

i look forward to pictures of the finished article

cheers shaun

[Marica]

Thanks, thought it looked like SketchUp. Look forward to updates and seeing the finished product.

[WakoNako]

Selection of styrofoam "clutter"



For now, this is the only piece I've grouted





I covered it in Titebond, let it set up for a day and then mixed up some grout. I used sanded because its what I already had and I actually put it on quite thick. I only had a little but of cracking, but that was hit with a second layer of grout.
Now all I need to do is seal it. Any ideas on a safe grout sealer for snakes?

[derekcm87]

Looking good!

[mld]

I've only make one for a bearded dragon, so its much dryer there and I used modge podge which I wouldn't recommend for a humid area. What about a grout sealer that is non-toxic!s

[WakoNako]

Today I completed the floor structure for the cages. All thats left to do is the front and the cages will be built, leaving me to just tile and texture the insides.


I cut a piece of wood out of the floor of each cage to the size of the heat mat.


Routed a couple of notches into each board for the flexwatt clips to rest in, providing me a level UTH.


Drilled 1/4" ventilation holes so excess heat doesn't get trapped and build up, then covered the shelf with foil to reflect heat and also keep the flexwatt from touching bare wood. This worked well for me on the first cage I built about a year ago so I repeated it.


The door in place on the bottom of the cage.


Hinges doing their jobs. I used a simple deadbolt catch to keep the door from opening.


Flexwatt in place, small notches allow the wires to come out from the cage.




The floor with concrete board attached. This is for the interior of the cage and the tile will stick to this.

[WakoNako]

The cages taking up more room than I had anticipated.


Coating walls and ceilings of the cage with Titebond to give the grout something to grip too.


Both cages Titebond-ed and drying.

In a couple of days I will start with the grout hopefully.

[WakoNako]

Picked up my perspex for the windows to the cages yesterday.
Top Tip: Go to Lowes and ask them to sell you some scrap perspex. I got $30 worth of perspex for $2. All in good condition and all a good size. Just split over 4 sheets, but that ain't a problem.

[WakoNako]

Using Great Stuff, I filled the gaps between the styrofoam and wood framing. I also padded the corners





In a couple of days, I will trim and sand the great stuff to make smooth transitions from framing to styrofoam and also to round out the corners. I figured round corners will make for easier cleaning.

I also picked up a bag of Shur-Crete today from Sherwin Williams. Its a spray concrete/acrylic powder that we mix with water to texture swimming pool decks here in Florida. I figure the acrylic properties in it will allow for more flex than grout.
After the Great Stuff is set and cut, I will start to spray the texture. Tomorrow, however, I hope to set tile on the floors of each cage.

I also got the guy at Sherwins to give me a "sample" of tint they use to tint the paint to add to the shurcrete for built in color.

[WakoNako]

Apologies on the lack of updates, but thats due in part to a lack of progress.
We've been swamped at work and the little time off I get is just enough to sleep eat and relax.

This last week though, I managed to tile and grout the floors of the cages.
Spray the insides with deck concrete.
Connect the floor to the walls.
Seal it all with one coat of water based sealer. 2nd coat goes on tomorrow.