Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had cage plans for stackable medium sized cages, I would like the dimensions to be somewhat around this...

3' long X 1 1/2'-2' high X 2' deep. It may be slightly bigger or slightly smaller, I would like these plans to have a front door that opens any way, I want exact measurments, and all the materials and I would like it to cost with in the range of about $75.00-100.00$. This will be used to house, pictus geckos, brazilian rainbow boas, or hogg island boas. I don't really want it to have any electricity type things like lights, but heat tape I will install. Also what I mean by it costin in the range of 75.00$-100.00$ is I want all 3 stories together costing that much. Thank you for any help.

from:Brent Allen email leosrule182@yahoo.com

i think you will be hard pressed to build one cage that is 3x2x18 with doors on it and flexwatt for 75-100 much less three cages .

cheap materials of melamine would cost you on average
Melamine 4x8 sheet $30.00
Screws 1lb box $4.00
Silicone $4.00
Plastic track for sliding doors $15.00
Plexi for doors (2x4 1/4" ) $25.00
cheap showcase lock $4.00
total on estimated average costs $82.00

this would yield you approx one fully built cage with a cut sheet of the following

2pcs- 3x2 melamine cuts
2pcs- 1.5x2 melamine cuts
1pc- 1.5x3 melamine cut
this would build one sheet out of a 4x8 sheet of melamine and no litter dam for the cage .

so if you multiply the costs for three cages you are looking at a minimum of $254.00 and thats w/ no heat sources you add flexwatt to a unit like that count on $3.50 lf min for heat tape and then factor in shipping on that order ends and cords so with a total of approx6 lf of heat tape ends & cords and shipping that would be about $30.00-$40.00 on the high end so now you are over $300 to build three cages 3x2x1.5

hope that gives you a idea of what to expect
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I beg to differ..

Yeah the cost of a cage is somewhat expensive, but your plans are off a bit. one shgeet of melamine would cover that cage plus doors and substrate dam, that is 25 bucks here and the door glass is 15 bucks so that is 40 bucks total. now you could build the cages for but like jungleman said the flexwatt is going to kill you on your bottom price. if you take shortcuts in cage building remember you get what you pay for. this cage cost me 40 bucks but i had the screws, glass lights etc.

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0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Bob & Margret)
1.1 Dogs(George and Ladybird) they are rescues.
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid

I unfortunately have to pay well over 15 bucks for enough glass for an enclosure. The glass shop I usually purchased it from is now closed so I have to go to the only other local shop and they charge 15 bucks for a 2'x11" section so it costs me 30 dollars for a simple 4x2x1 enclosure.. Also material varies in cost around the nation, so he may be lucky and get all of his material cheaply but not likely.

Later
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com
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Not trying to be rude but rather bring you back to reality - you're sure asking for alot of function for little money. Although info on these forums is free, there is a limit to what one must expect. Requesting detailed plans from someone that may have spent countless hours of experimenting with cage designs (and alot of money in the process) may not result in the responses you want.

If you want cheap, then go with melamine. But you'll need the tools to do it right, and good tools aren't cheap if you don't already have them. Melamine dulls up circular saw blades fairly quickly, and new blades are pricey. I think plywood is easier to work with but requires painting or sealing, which adds alot of work and and more money spent. Sliding glass doors is probably the least expensive way to go.

Bottom line: even home-made caging costs some dough when it is all said and done. I invite you to look at the classifieds on this site (the Cages/Supplies classifieds) and see what is being offered. You can get stackable plastic caging (and for rainbow boas, plastic is nice) but not nearly for the cost you want to hold to.

Another tip: many cabinet makers will make you basic cage shells w/o glass doors for a decent price (but more than you want to spend).

Good luck.

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Mark