Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have detailed plans to build a 4 foot cage

What dimensions do you want? And also what type of animal will be kept in it? A basic cut and dry 4' enclosure is fairly easy to build, but need to know what options you want to incorporate into it.. Such as, do you want it stackable? With light heating or heat tape? Arid climate set up, or high humidity needed.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Sorry

I am keeping adult Boas in these. i would like them to be stackable with light inside for heat.

I already mad a couple that just arent a very good plan. i made 4by2by2 with a front door that is hinged to open out. the tops are sagging a bit so the door isnt working real well. i used 3/4 inch bc plywood.

thanks for the help

Something I do for my boas is make all in one units that are built out of melamine. I like the look and they are extremely sturdy and if the seams are sealed will not have any issues from moisture.(bci are the main animals I keep)

Here is one unit that is 2 enclosures in one (I do not have the plastic along the back covering the peg board yet, or the heat tape installed in it yet)

This basic set up is the absolute easiest enclosure to build.
Here is a pic of it with the glass in it and a 4 1/2' boa in it to show it off a little more (the light shrouds have not been installed in this yet either)

Some people will tell you litter dams are needed, but I prefer not having them in the enclosure (the glass track is high enough to prevent fluid to pour out the front, and if a boa is going to lean on the glass to use the restroom they will do it regardless if there is a 2" litterdam or if the track is attached to the floor.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

The way this one is built as I said is very very easy.

I was short a table saw so I went to home depot and picked up 3 sheets of the 4'x 2' 3/4" thick melamine (roughly 8-9 dollars a sheet for this size) I then picked up 4 of the 2'x11 3/4" 1/2" thick melamine shelves. (these are the sides and cost approximately $2.50 each) I also picked up a sheet of peg board for the back. You can go with a solid sheet of melamine for the back if you wish, but the peg board makes the enclosure lighter, and provides great ventilation.

Now what I did was take 2 sheets of the 4x2 and 2 of the shelves and made a backless box. I then took the final sheet of 4x2 and 2 shelves and attached the shelves to the top piece and set it square on the previously made box.. I then drilled at an angle from the ends and drove 2" deck screws into the lower box to provide a strong attachment. I then placed this on its front and attached the peg board to the back to give it added strength.. If you will be moving this around much I highly suggest getting swivel casters and installing them to provide you with an easy way to role it around. I then picked up some Stanley white plastic glass track from Home Depot (it is found in the window/door section usually around where they keep their plexi glass and sheet glass) I trim it to fit into the opening along the top and bottom, I also then trim the remaining section of it to fit along the side to provide a place for the doors to slide into when closing the door (it adds a bit of security and looks pretty nice)

Now what I do for heating is 2 things.. I install light fixtures I also lay flexwatt down and place a thin layer of plastic over the heat tape inside the enclosure.. I also run the plastic sheeting up 2" up the back to help prevent any fluids spilling through the holes in the peg board..

That is all I can think of now.. (I have kids making a fuss in the back ground..lol) If you have any questions let me know, or ask, as I know many great builders post on here and can give tips.

Later
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Hi Randy,

I like that simple design but there is some detail I cannot make out from the photo.

You say that is an all-in-one unit which I assume means the floor of an upper cage is the ceiling of the cage below, and so on, and so on.

Do you have one-piece sides and extend the horizontal panels inbetween or do you have multiple side pieces that span between the floors/ceilings?

From your picture it looks like the latter. If so, why? I assume the other way would be easier.

But I can barely make out that photo on my tiny laptop monitor.

>> ...and if the seams are sealed will not have any issues from moisture.(bci are the main animals I keep)

What is your source of melamine? I have bought several different grades over the years and found it to vary dramatically in moisture resistance and how it reacts to disinfectants.

Any more I just buy the cheap stuff and cover it with contact paper, but I'm always curious to hear what product people have used and how well it has held up.

>> ... I do not have the plastic along the back covering the peg board yet

I assume you mean a strip of plastic covering the lowest holes on the peg board, is that correct? What do you use for that?

Are you using plastic peg board?

>> ... or the heat tape installed in it yet)

Do you install this on the underside of each floor or to the floor itself?

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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Hi Randy,

From your picture it looks like the latter. If so, why? I assume the other way would be easier.
On this one I used separate side pieces per level (since I didn't have a table saw to use at the time I went the simplest route with it, and the pre cut 2x11 3/4" shelves were the easiest route without cutting to size end pieces)

...and if the seams are sealed will not have any issues from moisture.(bci are the main animals I keep)

Any more I just buy the cheap stuff and cover it with contact paper, but I'm always curious to hear what product people have used and how well it has held up.
I mainly use the melamine I pick up from Home Depot, it is almost always in stock, and out of 10 racks and enclosures I have only had 1 swell issue in the past (and that was my fault for not sealing that one properly along the edges)
I use mild soap and water usually to clean the melamine (I want to try out that nolvasan, yet to use it as I haven't really needed it)
... I do not have the plastic along the back covering the peg board yet

Are you using plastic peg board?
I install a 2" strip of .100 thick expanded pvc along the back and usually along the entire inside bottom (to cover the flexwatt I lay down inside the enclosure) And it also makes clean up really easy..

... or the heat tape installed in it yet)

Do you install this on the underside of each floor or to the floor itself?

I install the flexwatt inside on top of the floor piece. With a thermostat controlling the heat tape and plastic covering it I haven't had any issues with it going this route.. I did debate the cut away technique you have posted many times (which is a great way to install heat tape and avoid heat build up)
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

thanks for the info
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)