Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I'm going to be beginning my foray into the boid world soon, and would like to build my own cage to save some cash. I'll be using MDF coated with contact paper and aquarium sealant inside, with sliding doors (plastic tracks from Do It Best). Obviously, you can see that I checked out finegtps.com.

Just a quick question - what thickness of glass should I use for medium to large boids? 1/4" or 1/8", tempered or not? The smallest snake I'd be housing would be a ball python, and the largest would be a Brazilian rainbow or jungle carpet. So, the largest cage size I'd be setting up would be 48" x 36", and the smallest would be 36"x18". The glass would be cut smaller than that, though, of course.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

For the larger animals (the carpets mainly) you will want to use the 1/4" glass, you can probably get away with the 1/8" for the smaller boas and pythons.

Later
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

1/4" tempered glass, right? Would it be playing it safe at all to use it with the smaller pythons as well, or is that an unecessary expense?

Thank you so much for the reply!

1/4" would be a little bit of over kill. I build cabinets and furniture. I have built 10 or so cages for friends and myself. I never use anything over 3/16" glass. The weight on 1/4" glass would be as heavy as the MDF. I use 3/16" glass or 1/4" plexi. Only reason the thicker on plexi is so it won't warp with the heat lamps. If glass, I would use 3/16". Look at aquariums. They don't use 1/4".......

Rooster is correct in one aspect atleast in my location the weight of 1/4 tempered or safety glass isnt as heavy as mdf but does weigh 2.8lbs per sf. 3/16 is slightly lighter. for what you are keepeing cost wise there isnt a factor here in my region 3/16 is just as much as 1/4 glass in plate a lil difference in safety/tempered costs .However heres a new one none of the snakes u mentioned in housing would be ver likely to break 3/16" or 1/4" glass even in plate glass . i would use 1/4" plate glass for that reason alone the actual tensil strength of the 1/4" plat in no larger areas then you arte using them would work. On cages i build that use glass i use plate glass upto 18" tall then depending on the snake or lizard will make the determination of safety / tempered glass according to the species in the cage .
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Thanks to everyone for the replies. I think I'll do a little more research into the different glass sizes and strenghs before I decide, but thank you for the opinions and starting points. I appreciate it!

am i correct in that you cant drill holes into safety/tempered glass? how would you attach handles and such?

I believe not. Contact a glass shop to be sure but one of them will shatter if you try to cut, drill it.
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DZ
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There are handles that do not require drilling, they slip over the edge and stay put by friction. Also there are some you can glue to the glass. I am not sure what the pros and cons of these handles are, as I am currently looking into them myself, but they are out there and available.

Elizabeth
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