Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im buildin mt friend a cage for his ackie so he dont use a screen but i need planand wat materials to use for top and sides and were to putt door

Hmm, I too am ready to build an enclosure for my 20" sav. I am going to make it 6x3x3. I plan to make the bottom made out of plywood w/fermica over it. I want to make the left and right side w/ plywood as well as the back. The front I plan to put plexy glass and the top I want to make it a frame of course with an aluminum screen on it with hinges and a handle to open it. That is how I plan to make my enclosure. You might also want to consider using glass instead of plexy glass since plexy glass gets a little foggy looking, but I have dealt with it before.
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 20"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 92 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 120 degrees
Night time Temps: 75 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 40 gallon breeder (switching to 6x3x3 hopefully this wkd)
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

Once again I will recomend against the screen tops. you lose all of your heat/humidity. one method I have used that works ok is to use aluminum U channel to make a sliding track for the glass. I used it before with plexi and it didn't work as well because the plexi bends. I am going to replace it with glass soon to correct that. I have seen some very nice cages that use a window, like from your house installed with the locks on the outside and i would like to try this as it looks sharp and would help keep it sealed for humidity purposes. also as some people have mentioned Fiberglass Renforced Plasctic works very well to line you cage with to prevent the wood from rotting. Look around at some of the pictures posted here, you should be able to get some good ideas.

Good Luck,
Steve

Hmm, I like that idea, a sliding plastic plate. I would of course drill holes and what not into it, no? I like this idea, however I would like to know more about it. I do have the light fixtures and I want to add another one but where do they go? I let mine sit on top of his tank right now (it has an alluminum top).
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 20"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 92 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 120 degrees
Night time Temps: 75 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 40 gallon breeder (switching to 6x3x3 hopefully this wkd)
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

if you put the lights inside the cage, lower towards the ground it is a bit more efficient. In the cage i was talking about earlier i made a shelf in the corner that has light fixtures attached to it. That way the warm air from the lights rises inside the cage rather than out side the cage letting you maintain ambient temps with less wattage. I hope that helps.

Steve

In last cage we built, we used the U rails with plexi. Within 1 week the plexi was already bowing!! We have yet to replace it, but should have the glass in by the end of the month(knock on wood).

Michelle

A channel is simply trouble, when used with any substrate. Monitors dig and throw material all over. Its not good with glass either.

Their are runners where the glass rides on bearings, the male rail is on the bottom. These work far better, although not perfect. Check with your local glass and window companies. They carry them way out here in the desert. Should have them in the big city. Or I can order them from a company out of good olde Cali.

Best bet is window assemblies from home depot or similiar place. You cannot match the price or availibility. F

thanks, I have noticed that too, and i should have mentioned it. It requires frequent cleaning with a shop vac or else it won't open well at all. I was thinking about rebuilding that cage with a window as i have one in my garage i got for free so it is really cheap.

Steve

on that damned Kirby!!