Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I want to build a cage that I can use outdoors in the summer, and easily take apart and store in the winter (or just take apart and put back together indoors).

I would like to make the cage 6-8' x 3'x 2'-3'.

The cage would basicily a big box with a locking screen top. I'd like to use nuts and bolts to fasten the sides and bottoms together I have the plans all drawn up and I am pretty sure it will work.

I really am just not sure what wood to use, should I just use 3/8" plywood or melamine(sp?)also where can I buy melamine?
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Kojiroh_1
So. California

1.0 Arg. Tegu (soon to be 1.1)
1.1 Normal Ball Pythons
1.2 Jungle Carpet Pythons
0.0.2 Sulcata Tortoises

Melamine is over rated. It's very heavy and soaks up moisture if not completely sealed, rotting out in a couple of years. As such is unsuitable for outdoor use, as it will do for one season at best.

It can be found in any home depot in a variety of colours.
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I don't believe in luck. Luck is God covering your a** when you screw up.

I would just use a good plywood then seal the heck out of it. Seal every edge of every board in several layers. Will be a pain in the butt and take a while...but with be worth it so you dont have to rebuild it in a few years.
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Tegan

Be careful about the screen top. My first cage had a screen top, and keeping heat and humidity right was impossible! Since then I sealed the top with foam and it is much better. My next plans include making a sold box with sliding glass doors in front and using vents on the bottom of the sides and the top of the back. This will allow a convection current to be creating while at the same time allowing CO2 to escape the bottom.
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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.0.1 Axolotl Salamander
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

.
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Kojiroh_1
So. California

1.0 Arg. Tegu (soon to be 1.1)
1.1 Normal Ball Pythons
1.2 Jungle Carpet Pythons
0.0.2 Sulcata Tortoises

if you change your mind about building a cage and would like something that breaks down, id buy one of this guys cages http://www.[bleep]/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?category=g_reptileproducts_cagessupplements&item=1078967065 . sounds like what you want, i know you said you wanted to build it tho. probably will have to seal it good with melamine, i used plywood and covered them in sheets they called tile something, that im pretty sure you could find at lowes or home depot, its sealed everything up good. good luck, justin

Thanks for the info, but the address doesn't seem to work. I really would like to build the cage myself, but there is always room for improvement to the design (at least at this point). this cage will mainly be used outdoors in the spring, summer months, and early fall months. I am planning on using hardwire screen (i think thats what it's called) with 3/8" holes. I live in Southern California so I as long as I keep about 1/3 of the cage in the shade of a tree and keep a humidity tub in the cage it should be fine.

Thanks
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Kojiroh_1
So. California

1.0 Arg. Tegu (soon to be 1.1)
1.1 Normal Ball Pythons
1.2 Jungle Carpet Pythons
0.0.2 Sulcata Tortoises

keep us updated on how its goin and post some pics. good luck, justin