Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking to build a new enclosure for my bcc. She is a new addition to the family and thus a perfect excuse to try out a new build. I want to use a wood frame with plexiglass sides. Bottom four sides all solid with a top half looking more like a display case with sliding front doors. That way the substrate can be put in and removed easily without being disturbed by opening the doors. With easy access still to the bottom and top areas thru the front doors. I would like to divide the floor in half so I can have one side for water with a filter system. I notice my baby likes to rest in her water bowl alot. Can anyone offer any suggestions on materials if they feel any of this won't work or just suggestions on how to get is set up straight? This will be my first try at building something like this. So I want it to be as nice as possible. All opinions accepted and appreciated. Thank you all!

Widj

First, I would suggest against your idea of half water. Although your snake may spend lots of time in her water this could be a sign that your humidity is too low. Additionally there is no need to have such a large water source and having one will require the cage to be significantly larger.
Second, I would suggest simplifiying your design greatly. Make all sides solid wood and use sliding plexiglass doors. You dont really need to use a frame if using 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood unless you want to make a false celing for heat lights. Depending on how you plan on heating it (radiant heat pannel, heat tape etc.) you most likely will have less trouble forgeting about the frame.
Something along these lines will be much easier for a new builder to make (and make look good).

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- Jason F.

That is a wonderful design. Do you by chance have plans for that or know where I could get them? I've not read anything about the BCC needing high humidity. Tho I am still doing alot of reading on them so I may just have yet to cojme across that part. I was planning to have a mesh cieling for a heating light and a basking light. With one of each, do you think it would still be a good idea to have a substrate heater? I am planning to make the cage 4' x 2.5' x 2.5'. Thank you again for the great info.

Widj

I do not have a plan but maybe I can help more. First I would decide how you want to heat it. I currently use heat lights, but future cages will use heat tape (space saver and easier to maintain temps).
If you are going to go with heat lights, I would construct it similar to the cage I posted so that the lights are part of the cage and there is no screen to make keeping humidity more difficult.
If you are going to go with heat tape, I would construct the cage the same exept leave out the false celing. Additionally I would make a frame for the floor and skin it with shower board. You can then attach heat tape to the underside in the space created by the frame.

As for the construction it is fairly simple. You need a top, bottom, sides, back, and front. You are planning to use 2.5'(wide and high) which will make for more wasted materials and not be so easy to fit through doorways. I have had great luck with 2'(wide and high). To make the cage this is my basic cut list:
Sides: 2'x2'
Top: 2'x4'
Back: 2'x47"
Bottom: 23"x47"
Front (made of two pieces):
Top: 7"x47" (can be whatever you want or what works best)
Bottom: 4"x47" (again if you want more or less substrate you can alter it but this is what works for me)

This is using 1/2 ply so I subtracted 1" for the thickness of the wood when needed.

Simply screw all the sides together (so that nothing sits on the bottom but rather is attached to its edges) using screws but remember to pre-drill. Wood glue will add to the strength. Then just cut and glue in your track, silicone the edges, and seal the wood (if using plywood) and your done.

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- Jason F.

Nice cage, but where did you get the tracks for the glass?
THNX
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Joel Pretz

rockler.com but there are other online places. also you may also be able to get them at your local glass shop.
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- Jason F.