Hey!
I'm in a hurry & I'm sure I'm gonna overlook something, I'll come back later & double-check.

First off, I think you've got a great attitude about accepting tips, etc.. Kudos. Something to keep in mind, you don't/won't see many of these types of posts where everyone likes the work you've done and offers improvement tips. So, pat yourself on the back, fella! Hahaha!

Radiant heat panels that Laura mentioned is a great idea. Here's a link to more info on one brand of them: www.pro-products.com/proheat.html I've heard a lot of good things about the guy that owns that company in the link. Everyone says he's real helpful in taking a cage's dimensions and animal size and determining the size panel you need. I'm considering them in future cages about the same size as yours and with a "stackable" design in mind. I need 5 cages right now but I can't get Randy (ArtInScales) to come to NC to build 'em for me for free. And I thought we were friends. Ha! Ha!

I'm not real familiar with the clear latex sealer but if it's what I'm thinking it is, it will eventually wear off from cleaning, especially if it's water soluble. As for poly, over in the Cage & Habitat forum here at Kingsnake.com a few guys have done a lot of research with trial & error and suggest using a water-based poly instead of oil-based. Faster curing time, for one thing, less toxic, another.

As for moving the door from top to front, some people like sliding glass doors and some like doors that either drop down or lift upward.

To keep things simple, if you wanted to keep the same basic style but still be stackable you could build a box to house the domes in and have it accessible from the back or ends for changing bulbs. For the cages that are to be stacked on top of the one you've got done you can just notch out the bottom of the cages using the same dimensions of the dome housing box so that they sit flush, kind of like a stair step in the back/bottom of the cages. I'm not saying this is the best way, just trying to give you some ideas in case you wanted to keep it simple without having to modify the one you've already made.

Catch ya later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

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