Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i'm new on here, so hello. i was hoping someone could help me with building a cage for my water dragon, lily. i just saved her two days ago from a home that neglected her. she came in a 10 gallon tank and she is about a foot long. right now i have her in a 20 gallon, but i know she needs a new home, soon. if you could please give suggestions on what would be appropriate to make her cage out of, any help will be greatly appreciated. thank you so much.

I was just going to ask this question too...but since you already did, I geuss theres no point in posting the same question again..
I need to build a cage for my wd's, and I need to know what materials I can use, and a how to build it so it is safe for my wd's. I have a spot for it, so I have somewhat of a plan for it, but what kind materials are good, or bad? If I use wood, do we need to do anything to it?
I am having someone help me build it, and I need to know what can/can not be used

thanks for the help!!!

i am awful with building things so i cant help you much there. But Reptariums work pretty well, in my experience, with CWD and are pretty cheap. You can get them up to 260 gallons, for only about $100..

Make sure there are lots of sturdy climbing branches and provide them with a big water source. My friends CWD is in a 100gallon reptarium and she uses a horse water bucket with a filter attached for water. He loves it!!!

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-cage-supplies/reptariums-and-accessories/

hope that helps a little
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1.0 green iguana-Deitrich
1.1 Common Boa-Un-Named, Ursula
1.0 Ball Python-Anabell (go figure!)
1.0 Red Tegu-Uteg
1.0 Albino Cal King-Pig
0.1 Mexican Black King-Morticia
1.1 Bearded Dragons-Unnamed, Hanabil
1.0 Albino San Diego Gopher-Unnamed
0.1 Hermans tort-Esio
1.1 JCP-Milton, Medusa
1.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Snow Corn-Unnamed
1.0 Hypo Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Motley Okeetee-Unnamed
1.0 Western Hoggie-Wyrm
0.0.1 Rose Hair Taruntla-Unnamed
2.0 Leopard Geckos-Reptar, Pogo
4.1 cats-Tucker,Poe,Abhib,Emerald, Felicity
0.1 Bullmastiff-Asha

I like using the 260 gallon reptarium for when I take my waterdragons outside, but it has limitations for continous use. First of all the 260 is barely big enough for one waterdragon, secondly crickets and other insects can eat holes through the solar meshing. The solar meshing can be bought from any plant nursery and can be used to build large cages. plywood, and plexi glass are standard. Generally you want to make the cage so that it opens from the front and is easy to into. Sliding glass is an option. I've seen nice cages made out of plastic shower stalls, and melamine coated wood. So their are plenty of options. laquers or fiber glass resin can be applied to the wood to protect it from the heat and humdity. Just make sure everthing is dry and aired out before adding any animals.

Its best to draw everything out on paper, make sure its easy to clean, etc. There are several possibilities, doors, slide out trays.
Don't use treated lumber. Some people say cedar and pine aren't good but I say just as long as they're not the substrate, its fine. For the screen you could use regular window screen but there are types you can buy that are coated with plastic or rubber, coated types keep[really bad] nose abrasion down.

For the frame use 2x2, plywood of some type for the top and bottom.
ace hardware or you local lumber store should be able to help you more.
If anyone knows of any cage plans with material list please hook up the links. I'm going to check out the cage design forum here, see whats going on there.

oh yeah you'll need screws(remember to predrill/countersink) and staples(for the screen)

I always keep an eye out for old furnishings (tables/cabinets/anything that i think I can turn into a cage)
theres books on amazon.com with plans, I'll probably pick one up to save a little time for my own projects.